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Whatever happened to this view of Foreign Affairs?

America “goes not abroad in search of monsters to destroy. She is the well-wisher to the freedom and independence of all. She is the champion and vindicator only of her own.” - John Quincy Adams

Filed under  //  free and civil society   john quincy adams   politcs   war and peace  
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More on restricting Miranda Rights

This just in from Matt Taibbi:


The point is that this gesture by Eric Holder to drop to his knees and pray at the altar of Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity and Sarah Palin is one of those things that both sides are going to end up seriously regretting.
 

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Meet the New Boss, Same as the Old Boss: Obama Said to Be Open to New Miranda Look

This from the NY Times:

David Axelrod, the top White House political adviser, said Monday that President Obama was amenable to Attorney General Eric H. Holder Jr.’s call for a new law allowing interrogators to question terrorism suspects for lengthy periods without informing them of their rights.

This is a strange and disturbing idea.  First of all, any breaching of our civil rights because some bureaucrat "suspects" that we are a terrorist leaves the door wide open for full scale abuse.  No oversight.  No protection.  Scary to contemplate.

Second, we have "Miranda rights" not because of any legislation that was passed.  This is the result of a Supreme Court ruling, not legislation.  How can you create a "new law" which abridges a ruling of the Supreme Court?  I don't see how this is constitutionally possible.

If Bush/Cheney had even suggested this there would have been howls of protest.  Let's hope there is outrage against this coming from Obama - but I won't hold my breath.

Filed under  //  bill of rights   free and civil society   imperial presidency   obama  
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