So this is still America
Thank God. The Supreme Court, by a five-to-four vote, has upheld the Constitution of the United States as against Bush Administration infringements in regard to the detainees at Guantanamo.
(AP) High Court sides with Guantanamo detainees again
The Supreme Court ruled Thursday that foreign terrorism suspects held at Guantanamo Bay have rights under the Constitution to challenge their detention in U.S. civilian courts.
In its third rebuke of the Bush administration’s treatment of prisoners, the court ruled 5-4 that the government is violating the rights of prisoners being held indefinitely and without charges at the U.S. naval base in Cuba. The court’s liberal justices were in the majority.
Justice Anthony Kennedy, writing for the court, said, “The laws and Constitution are designed to survive, and remain in force, in extraordinary times.”
So in some respects, at least, this is still America — still a land governed by laws and not men. But if that’s true, then it’s a truth that’s hanging by the thinnest thread imaginable. Just one more Bush style Supreme Court appointment — one more Alito or Roberts (the precise sorts of people McCain has pledged to nominate to the Court if he’s elected) — and we will become something else altogether.
I wonder, has there ever been a more important election in American history?
June 12th, 2008 at 10:32 am
It Is terrifying to think that 4 of these men would actually have turned our Constitutional Democracy into a dictatorship when given the chance.
No, there has never been a more important election.
Someone please get that through the heads of the idiots who would vote for McCain and against America.
June 12th, 2008 at 1:33 pm
Thank God for 5 sane and decent men on the Supreme Court. The 4 judicial jackasses that voted against the Constitution of the United States should be impeached. They have no moral compass, no inkling of intelligence, and no understanding of the Constitution. They should not blacken the halls of the Court with their stupidity and political partisanship. A campaign on the Internet should be started to demand that they resign, if only to embarrass them. They do not deserve the respect of the citizens of this country. They do not deserve the honor that was bestowed upon them by their appointment to the Court. They do not serve the Law. They serve only themselves. They are a blot, a stain upon history. May the wheels of God grind them to dust and infamy.
June 12th, 2008 at 4:43 pm
I’ve already signed Kucinich’s petition to impeach Bush & Cheney on 35 counts, & I’ve already asked for impeachment against Alito, so I might as well add 3 more names to the list.
June 12th, 2008 at 5:28 pm
Bushco made it clear that the government would “abide by the court’s decision” And then goes on to say
“We’ll study this opinion to determine whether or not additional legislation may be appropriate.”
Seems almost a contradiction of terms but then morality never was bushcos strong suit was it.
June 12th, 2008 at 9:30 pm
Make that 4, Chuck: Nancy Pelosi.
June 12th, 2008 at 10:36 pm
Speaking of judges and justice and such, I would like you all to read Lewis H. Lapham’s article in the July issue of Harper’s Magazine and let me know what you think. I have the highest regard for him and since he’s been the editor of this magazine for 100 years or so and is currently an the editor of his own quarterly, I know he has fact checked. I personally think he nailed it. And Steve, being a lawyer and all, you probably have a lot better grasp of things than I do.
June 13th, 2008 at 12:34 am
I saw Scalia on MSNBC. It is amazing how the man looks like the thug that he is. He is fatter, but resembles Joe McCarthy. What a despicable person Scalia is. It turns my stomach to see him. Same with Clarence Thomas. He always looks like he has had his hand in the cookie jar. Neither one of these men possess the dignity, character, nor wisdom to be on the Court. Roberts and Alito aren’t covering themselves with glory, either. Bush corrupts EVERYTHING he touches. Now, he has put extremist idealogues on the Supreme Court. I have signed a petition to Senator Leahy to block any more of Dubya’s depraved nominations to the Court.