Extremism In Defense of Liberty

Today I joined the ACLU. I’ve always thought the ACLU took some interesting cases. Many seemed a bit extreme. But watching a documentary recently on HBO about that noted libertarian Barry Goldwater who famously said,  “I would remind you that extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice! And let me remind you also that moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue,” I was struck by the necessity to defend liberty as outlined in the Constitution. Yesterday the President, surrounded by torture advocates from Congress, Justice and the Executive branch, signed into law the Military Commissions act.
“The ACLU has been vocal in its opposition to the act, noting its failure to protect due process, elimination of habeas corpus for many detainees, undermining of enforcement of the Geneva Conventions, and granting of a "get out of jail free card" to senior officials who authorized or ordered illegal torture and abuse.” Article 1, Section 9 of the US Constitution says, "The Privilege of the Writ of Habeas Corpus shall not be suspended, unless when in Cases of Rebellion or Invasion the public Safety may require it." There is no “Rebellion.” There is no “Invasion.” There is only fear of such and we have managers who play on these fears. Now they have the power to eliminate habeas corpus which requires government to show the legal basis for imprisonment. American Civil Liberties Union Executive Director Anthony D. Romero said, "The president can now, with the approval of Congress, indefinitely hold people without charge, take away protections against horrific abuse, put people on trial based on hearsay evidence, authorize trials that can sentence people to death based on testimony literally beaten out of witnesses, and slam shut the courthouse door for habeas petitions." The ACLU will fight against it, no doubt attempt to show the law is unconstitutional. That’s why I signed up. The President now has the authority to deem an American citizen an enemy combatant. That’s too much power for anyone, let alone George Bush to exercise.  Consider supporting the ACLU.

Comments

[Slooze]

"I was struck by the necessity to defend liberty as outlined in the Constitution."

The problem is that *everyone* believes they're defending liberty as outlined in the Constitution. Being "struck by the necessity" is the first step, not the last. Years of careful study should follow, but rarely (if ever) does.

Unfortunately, the Framers of the Constitution assumed that the right to vote would be extended to the those who were properly educated and rigorously well-informed. That hasn't been the case for a very long time, and the results are obvious.

Naturally, I'm not referring to you, or to anyone else, specifically. But it seems almost moronic to still believe that a government of the people, by the people, and for the people is a logical and viable system, when "the people" in question comprise this particular citizenry at this particular time.

We'd probably do better by taking our chances with a benevolent dictator. No President or Congress elected by the current voting populace could possibly justify our continued clinging to the mere fantasy of "democracy."