September 28, 2006

US Republican-Owned Govenment Allows Torture, Gets Rid of Habeas Corpus Yes, an agreement to torture prisoners, deny them a hearing, and file it under the subject of "fighting terrorism" is on it's way to being passed. As one wag has it: "The bill simply removes a suspect’s right to challenge his detention in court. This is a rule of law that goes back to the Magna Carta in 1215. That pretty much leaves the barn door open." For Fuck's Sake people.

The procedure for the issuing of writs of habeas corpus was first codified by the Habeas Corpus Act 1679, following judicial rulings which had restricted the effectiveness of the writ. A previous act had been passed in 1640 to overturn a ruling that the command of the King was a sufficient answer to a petition of habeas corpus. Ah yes, the King. Mmm. Yes. Quite. "The negotiators also discussed yesterday a recent administration-backed change in the legislation to broaden the definition of potential unlawful enemy combatants in a way that would allow the government to detain and try a wider range of foreign nationals than envisioned earlier. Other recent changes to the bill aroused controversy yesterday. In one, the administration and its House allies would give the defense secretary wide latitude to depart, without independent judicial scrutiny, from the rules and detainee protections the legislation would create. It would allow him to do so whenever he deems it 'practicable or consistent with military or intelligence activities.'" Basically as I understand it, this bill would let the Defense secretary (not even "just" the POTUS) torture people, and anyone of any country could be arrested, and detained indefinitely without ever even hearing the charges against them. Also, as there is no component that defines who is an American or who is a terrorist, that means anyone could be locked up indefinitely without charges no matter where you live. You terr'ist. 9/11! Cut-and-run! Evildoers. *smirk*

posted by petebest 18 years ago
  • McCain pretended to stand up against this shit for a few days when the WH first proposed it, but then he gave in like the little bitch he is. They claimed to have found a "compromise" which just happens to allow the gov't to indefinitely imprison and torture whoever they want, and then use undisclosed evidence if they ever do get around to trying them (which they won't). I have no point. I just wanted to remind everyone that Sen. McCain is a spineless, unprincipled slug.
  • I agree on the sentiment regarding McCain. Considering that he spent years in Hanoi being tortured, you'd think he would be dead set against anything even resembling torture. In all of this, the only sensible opinion I've heard is from a General in the Army. Their basic rule is one of reciprocity: if one of your buddies was captured by the enemy, would you want them to use the same methods? That is the correct way to think about this question, in my opinion.
  • As also shown in the 2000 debates, when he let Chimpy go on and on about how hurt we was by the accusations that his people were sabotaging his war record, instead of reaching over the desk, grabbing him by the collar, and saying "Listen, you little shit..." As for this, I'm not particularly surprised, given the sheer disdain that Chimpy has shown for the SCC on Gitmo, pissed off that his yes-men weren't saying yes now that they passed confirmation. It'll get struck down at some point -- just a matter of when, and how much this administration can get away with until that point.
  • don't they do that stuff anyway? i mean, read your history mate. oops, sorry, i forgot, there's not much historical fact taught in Yoosay schools is there!
  • All the more reason to elect lotsa GOPpers this November. Otherwise all those Lib'ruls on the Supreme Court will just say that you have to have those for'un words in our 'Merican law. /redneck
  • Critics have an obligation to remain silent.
  • don't they do that stuff anyway? Not legally. The don't shout it from the capitol steps with their tiny pale dicks swingin' in the wind like that. This is 500-shades of wrong. Fucking groupthink-cowed bullshitting sadists. Fucking Republican-controlled Congress. i mean, read your history mate. oops, sorry, i forgot, there's not much historical fact taught in Yoosay schools is there! Do tell? What's The Truth then? I got a sandwich and I'm ready to learn!
  • And don't you think that McCain would happily torture those people who tortured him? As long as they're torturing *bad guys* there's absolutely no reason for it to be prohibited. And do you REALLY want *bad guys* to be able to hide behind court appeals? I guess you're happy to just allow *bad guys* to get away with anything. "Oh no, the *bad guys* might be unjustly imprisoned." Well, I got news for you liberals, they're called *bad guys* for a reason, and that's cause they're *bad*, and if they're *bad* than anything we do to them is justified.
  • Don't kid yourself, there is a big difference between tolerating some amount of this sort of thing while recognizing its illegality and enshrining it in law. This bill represents one of the lowest points in American history.
  • The bill does, however, narrow the scope of the War Crimes Act; it bars the Geneva Conventions from being invoked in any suit against the U.S. government, gives the president power to interpret "the meaning and application" of the Geneva Conventions, and prohibits the courts from relying on foreign or international law sources in deciding cases involving certain violations of Common Article 3 of the Geneva Conventions.
  • So ... the terrorists have won.
  • JESUS FUCKING CHRIST! Of course we all realize enemy combatants can mean ANYONE!
  • Who needs Al Qaeda when ye have a Congress?
  • So, when should we expect the government to start instructing our children to tattle on Mommy and Daddy's unpatriotic leanings?
  • *lobs a chunk of Roman ruin at the Capitol*
  • So, when should we expect the government to start instructing our children to tattle on Mommy and Daddy's unpatriotic leanings? Ah, not for awhile. It's not like Mommy and Daddy are going anywhere now are they?! Heh heh heh. *smirk, fart*
  • Democrats seem to be tripping over each other to vote in favour of this bill (34 dems voted YEA). If you have a democratic representative or senator, maybe you should ask them why.
  • I'm kind of shocked it doesn't have some propaganda-styled title like Prisoner Responsibility to America Act, the kind of title that drums up support by uneducated backwater constituents. "Well, doggone it, of course the prisoner has a responsibility to America!"
  • I want my country back.
  • It's politics. Anyone voting against it is soft on terror and hates America. Too many surveys have shown that people are willing to surrender their rights if they think they'll be safe from terrorism. Even if the politicians don't agree with it, they're more terrified about giving their opponents any ammunition.
  • Sam Lowry: I only know you got the wrong man. Jack Lint: Information Transit got the wrong man. I got the *right* man. The wrong one was delivered to me as the right man, I accepted him on good faith as the right man. Was I wrong? Jack Lint: It's not my fault that Buttle's heart condition didn't appear on Tuttle's file!
  • dun dut duh, dun dut da da...
  • .
  • Democrats seem to be tripping over each other to vote in favour of this bill. . . posted by rocket88 It's politics. posted by Northern Exposed Agreed. A whole other travesty of our representative republic process. But to that point, Bush and the Republican Congress are driving this one full throttle in either an overanxious effort to look tough on terrorism or in a genuine attempt to corrupt the Constitution. Either way, George W. Bush should be impeached for allowing, supporting, and demanding this legislation, as it is in direct conflict with his oath to protect the Constitution. Republicans in Congress impeached Bill Clinton for lying about sex. Republicans in Congress drafted, supported and passed a bill specifically to condone torture and disallow habeas corpus. Yeah, there are some Democrats on board and it's a damn shame too. But don't kid yourself - this isn't some bipartisan effort. This is the Bush Neocon Republicans being whipped mercilessly into line, and pulling out all the stops along the way. Trent Lott said yesterday that attacking prisoners with dogs was fine. He said anyone who didn't think it was fine must never have been chased off by a dog when they delivered laundry. I'm not making this shit up. If you need to have the difference explained between allowing attack dogs in prison interrogations and the family dog chasing the deliveryman away, you're either dumb as a rock, deliberately cruel, or insane. Don't tell me Trent Lott didn't see those pictures of an attack dog biting an Abu Gharib prisoner because I know he did. This "laundry delivery" quip is just part and parcel of the Republican's juggernaut effort to paint dissenters as weak and to undermine anything that stands in the way of the Imperial President George W. Bush's Total War. It's fucking sick.
  • It's fucking sick. Watch out. That sort of talk will get you thrown into the gulag. I said it before and I will say it again. Things will get MUCH worse.
  • Those subject to the commission trials would be any person "who has engaged in hostilities or who has purposefully and materially supported hostilities against the United States or its co-belligerents." That includes Americans, just in case there was some doubt. Your Constitutional rights cease to exist when it is suspected you've supported the terrorists. That's the law the House just passed. The Senate sends it to be made law today. Seriously, you're not dreaming. House approved bill along mostly party-line vote Wednesday. Yeah. The Senate voted 48-51 against an amendment by Sen. Arlen Specter [R-Pennsylvania, chairman of the Judiciary Committee] that would have allowed terror suspects to file "habeas corpus" petitions in court. Specter contends the ability to such pleas is considered a fundamental legal right and is necessary to uncover abuse. . . . Three Republicans voted with Specter but others in the GOP caucus contended that providing terror suspects the right to unlimited appeals weighs down the federal court system. "It impedes the war effort, and it is irresponsible," said Lindsey Graham, R-South Carolina. Democrats sided with Specter. "This bill is everything we don't believe in," said Rep. Dennis Kucinich, D-Ohio. Mm hm. Sounds, er, well kinda partisan really.
  • Hostilities against the American citizenry can now commence! This is the least safe I have ever felt in my life.
  • Here’s what happens when this irresponsible Congress railroads a profoundly important bill to serve the mindless politics of a midterm election: The Bush administration uses Republicans’ fear of losing their majority to push through ghastly ideas about antiterrorism that will make American troops less safe and do lasting damage to our 217-year-old nation of laws — while actually doing nothing to protect the nation from terrorists. Democrats betray their principles to avoid last-minute attack ads. Our democracy is the big loser.
  • Democratic Reps who voted to take your freedom in the military tribunals bill. Bud Cramer (AL 5) Artur Davis (AL 6) Mike Ross (AR 4) John Salazar (CO 3) Allen Boyd (FL 2) Sanford Bishop (GA 2) Jim Marshall (GA 3) John Barrow (GA 12) David Scott (GA 13) Melissa Bean (IL 8) Leonard Boswell (IA 3) Dennis Moore (KS 3) Ben Chandler (KY 6) Charlie Melancon (LA 3) Michael Michaux (ME 2) Collin Peterson (MN 7) Gene Taylor (MS 4) Rob Andrews (NJ 1) Brian Higgins (NY 27) Bob Etheridge (NC 2) Mike McIntyre (NC 7) Earl Pomeroy (ND at large) Sherrod Brown (OH 13) Dan Boren (OK 2) Tim Holden (PA 17) John Spratt (SC 5) Stephanie Herseth (SD at large) Lincoln Davis (TN 4) Bart Gordon (TN 6) John Tanner (TN 8) Harold Ford (TN 9) Chet Edwards (TX 17) Henry Cuellar (TX 28) Scott Matheson (UT 2)
  • You Americans are funny. I know people that were imprisoned and tortured by agents trained by American advisors. Sadly, I also met some of these advisors. Basically, your congress is simply acknowledging that what has been daily routine for other countries is good for Americans. A sad day, I agree, and horrid repercussions in your liberties, in the way you appear to and look at the world, and in the progress that said liberties fostered. I do really hope that common Americans, the politicians (Not McCain, obviously) and your languishing fifth state wake up soon from their slumber, and end this nightmare. Meanwhile, might as well remember Niemoller.
  • Too many surveys have shown that people are willing to surrender their rights if they think they'll be safe from terrorism. Yeah, the completely spineless and ignorant people. I hate hearing this shit. Bah. They day I bow in and surrender my rights in order to feel protected from terrorism is the day that will never be. I stood in downtown Manhattan on 9/11 and watched bodies drop. I was scared shitless, yes. But as the day wore on, I knew that I could not, would not live in fear. I was on a flight to Seattle from NYC the day that flights out of NYC resumed. LaGuardia airport was a complete ghost town. The cabbie who dropped me off said, "this is the first time I've been back to the airport since it happened. Aren't you afraid to fly?" I replied, "of what?" The Boeing 747 I was on had three other passengers. When I got on the plane, the flight crew said "take your pick of seats!" Needless to say, I made it to Seattle in one piece (and in great comfort sans crying children I must add) without being hurt by the dark-skinned terrorists. This life is mine. I'm not about to let someone else guide it. What is terrorism? What does it aim to do? Think about it... I would gather to say that on this day, terrorism is ahead of the game. Little by little, what was the United States of America is being whittled away.
  • .
  • You people need to watch more action movies. THEN you'd understand.
  • I've seen action movies, and Mr Bush, you are no action movie.
  • I do really hope that common Americans, the politicians (Not McCain, obviously) and your languishing fifth state wake up soon from their slumber, and end this nightmare. We're awake, all right. I think the problem seems to be "where do we start?" There are so many thing that have been broken and tampered with that I doubt the US will get out of this jam any time soon.
  • The Senate votes And there you have it. Can't wait to see chimpy's smirk as he signs the bill into law... It's all downhill I'm afraid.
  • Glamma, Sugar, you are unfortunately right. I give it ten years before it really gets unbearable. I give it 15, and you'll see rioting in the streets. I thought the survivalists were crazy, but not so much anymore. It's not invaders we have to worry about. It's Congress. We're going to hell, folks.
  • Let's hope one of those activist judges does the checks-n-balances thingy they told me about in high school.
  • Honestly, it's a shameful day for the U.S. This bill was tossed down the alley with blinders on, and gutter-balled almost instantly. Will the cost ever be known? My only hope is that the Supreme Court will take this up and resurrect the dead before lost forever... GramMa said it folks. *takes a deep gulp*
  • Can't wait to see chimpy's smirk as he signs the bill into law...
  • Good point well made, SMT. I agree that using fear and threats to curb our (your) freedoms is despicable. They do it here in the UK too. Fuck 'em all, I say!
  • Bluehorse .... did you just call me "sugar?"
  • She sure did, honey-cheeks.
  • Hmmm, best case scenario is that it gets overturned in 2 years or so, which gives Chimpy McFascism another 2 years to 'stay the course'. Maybe there's an upside: I hearby declare George W. Bush to be an unlawful combatant, and I have proof. Oh wait, I don't need proof, cuz you can't challenge your detention in court! Awesome. Thugs, be gentle with him. Or not. Either way.
  • I hope Bush goes out of office like Mussolini did.
  • The MCA greatly expands the definition of enemy combatants, because it greatly expands the definition of "unlawful enemy combatants." If the government may detain any enemy combatants, a fortiori it may detain unlawful ones. The new definition is fuzzy: it includes citizens who "materially support" hostilities against the U.S. or whom the DoD says are unlawful enemy combatants. therefore, you can be accused of being an unlawful enemy combatant and be detained indefinitely without trial under this bill. "You" meaning anyone in the world.
  • Me? But I'm white!
  • Let's not forget the awesome retroactive Presidential self-pardon angle, which I think is the whole point of this. ...although I doubt this would hold up outside of the country...
  • Got to love it. John Titor anyone? "."
  • Hell Vertex! I never heard of that before. WtF?!
  • So what's it gonna take for people to march in the streets?
  • They have already been marching. No, it will be a slow decent into madness. Get some guns, build a bunker, disappear into the hills, etc. etc. etc. I would attribute this to the growing pains of a young country, relatively young in the terms of the rest of the world. Sometimes humility must be taught the hard way.
  • I stand by my words So I asked my dad about this bill. His reply: Huh? So I asked my mom about this bill. Her reply: What's that? Reality. Scary.
  • Hahaha,,haha,,like monkeys had any rights,,haha,you guys crack me up!!!
  • Image hosted by LetMeHost.com via Wired
  • Ya, Glama, yer forgot the middle button. The red one--PANIC.
  • is the recent abomination retroactive? I'm sure it is, but I wanted to ask.
  • The Bill, itself, as passed by the House This website says the bill states that, Non-Allegiance to Bush is Terrorism And, Al Gonzo Threatens Judges, just for fun.
  • Oh and the reason we're not gonna let people ask why we threw them in prison? Costs too much. yeah. It's 2 BILLION per week to stick our dick in Iraq, but we can't afford to just tell everyone why we've imprisoned them. I mean, we're not made of money!
  • Inked.
  • . Look! The POTUS is Protecting America! Yup.
  • So, Mr. President, how do you feel about torture today?
  • Today, 135 years to the day after the last American President (Ulysses S. Grant) suspended habeas corpus, President Bush signed into law the Military Commissions Act of 2006. At its worst, the legislation allows President Bush or Donald Rumsfeld to declare anyone — US citizen or not — an enemy combatant, lock them up and throw away the key without a chance to prove their innocence in a court of law. In other words, every thing the Founding Fathers fought the British empire to free themselves of was reversed and nullified with the stroke of a pen, all under the guise of the War on Terror. And the neocon's agenda rolls on swiftly. Hey, thanks Bush voters! Heckuva job!
  • As a foreigner, I can't do much more than watch this from the way-too-close sidelines and imagine what I'd do if my country did the same. So I ask all American monkeys: What are you doing about this? I mean, no snark intended, but besides posting on the internets and planning to vote Dem in November...what are you actually doing about it?
  • Leaving. The sooner the better.
  • Leaving. The sooner the better. That's my sentiment as well (how f#%KiNg sad it is to admit, but that's my gut-honest feeling). I said it here before as well, if the US attacks Iran, that will be the final straw. I don't even feel like an American any more. It all seems like a big joke. Bwwwaah haaa haa! Land of the free, home of the brave... My ass. Protesting will just get your butt landed in a Halliburton-approved detention center after they take DNA samples and stamp your file with the big red "potential terrorist!" seal-of-disapproval. Hell, I was so full of hope, oh say 16~17 years ago. Now, it's just flat.
  • ...declare anyone — US citizen or not — an enemy combatant... Shit, that means me! That means I'm in danger because of the US Administration! Who'dathunkit?
  • *thinks of cutting-n-running to Canadia*
  • I've written to my representatives in Congress and in the Senate, for what it's worth. The sad thing is, we've arrived at the point where everyone's afraid of being labeled unpatriotic. I've heard more than one person say, "I hate what the administration's doing, but I don't think it's my place to criticize them." I really don;t know what one can do to combat that kind of attitude.
  • I have considered the Canada option myself as well. There is always this thread for moral support.
  • Poll: 74 percent of Americans say Congress out of touch Yeah, it's a poll, but I would most definitely put myself in the 74%.
  • Whoa, whoa, whoa -- I believe I extended an invitation to smt, but did any Canadian monkey ever say that nunia could come? Let's not get ahead of ourselves, here... You know the rules, people. Same as for those fleeing Hong Kong before the turnover. Large amounts of cash, unmarked bills, preferably not in a cotton sack marked "$" but a non-descript suitcase, c/o Capt. Renault, under the mulch pile in the parking lot beind his apartment building, St. Catharines, Ontario. GST, S&H charges apply. Upon receipt, expect pickup from just outside the Adidas store, Niagara Falls Outlet Mall, within 6-8 weeks.
  • The revisionists would have it that this is the worst Congress ever, when, in fact, the worst Congress ever was the "Dirty Diaper" Congress, which served during the administration of Millard Fillmore. This Congress passed legislation including the Poo Poo Act, which criminalized the indication of disgust at human eliminatory acts, and the It's Just a Phase Act, which mandated compulsory daily attempts at flatal humor by all citizens. So called the "Dirty Diaper" Congress because Congressional leaders including Speaker of the House Linn Boyd of Kentucky frequently appeared clad in naught but oversized diapers while Congress was in session.
  • Capt., I can vouch for nunia. No, really! Ok, ok, down to business... what are your S&H fees for a family of four?
  • Capt., when I first looked at your post I thought it said "S&M charges."
  • That's in the fine print. Isn't it "Emigrate One Medusa, Get In Free" or something like that? Gotta find that coupon . . .
  • Okay, fleeing Americans: I have ten Canadian acres, mostly wooded. Bring a tent, a vehicle, a love of animals and a fair amount of whiskey. Plan to help split wood, clear snow, share a wifi connection, and most important DO NOT LET RENAULT KNOW WE HAVE WOMEN HERE. A simple life, but a good one.
  • I'm down. *runs off to make a road trip mix cd*
  • Don't forget the trail mix! and Nunia, you get to stay in the house if you're good. and "good" means forgetting to bring that worthless monkey husband of yours. Unless he can haul wood. Then, it is okay.
  • did any Canadian monkey ever say that nunia could come? Pfft! I wouldn't come to your plastic-shoe-infested cobweb-covered love nest even if you begged me on hands and knees with big droopy puppy eyes and quivering lip. *cries on the inside* Nunia, you get to stay in the house if you're good. and "good" means forgetting to bring that worthless monkey husband of yours. Unless he can haul wood. Then, it is okay. Oh yes, my man hauls wood. Yes he does. And no, I am not good. I am excellent. Thank you. No, thank you.
  • Okay. So our little Canadian commune begins. Its name? The NOrth AMerican CHapter Of Monkey SKeptics, Yowsa!, or NOAMCHOMSKY. Prepare.
  • After the nuclear war, NOAMCHOMSKY can be one of the last outposts of humanity, like in Wyndhams The Chrysalids, except without the intolerance to grotesque mutations (I hope).
  • I wonder if there is just some secret cave in Canadia where I can hide from all of you weirdos.
  • nunia, will Shady Lady or Sexy Beast work for you? If not, I know of a quiet unknown nook in the Satin Spar system. Just lovely. Avoid Rat's Nest cave by all means.
  • will Shady Lady or Sexy Beast work for you? I dunno. Although my hiring practices are unscrupulous, it's still hard to get good help these days. I think the Satin Spar System is next door to the Cummingtonite Nebula, which, as I understand it, has great ribs and slaw. Mmm...slaw. What were you saying?
  • Ribs... slaw... Canada... caves... *runs to the Canadian Consulate to apply for citizenship*
  • Watch out for the Black Helicopters on your way up here.
  • *jaw drops* My only hope now are the beaver overlords!!
  • Yeah, I'll bet you'd bend knee to a beaver. You rodent apostate. It's a good thing that the US is patrolling the border, though. One can never be too careful about the illegals slipping in to do the work that Americans won't do. Like voting idiots out of office.
  • *bends knee* I mean, what about the border with the Pacific and the Atlantic? Imagine the damage the bloody skates and rays will inflict upon us if we do nothing to seal the border!
  • Just having had a fresh look at my woods, I'd say I could easily hide between 50 and 100 RV's back there that could not be seen from any road. Plenty of room provided all the petebests don't start showing up. So start making your reservations now, as the prime lots will go fast. There's a big rock pile in the SE corner, so we'll put Nunia over there just to keep her quiet. Sugarmilktea gets a lot right in the center, as it is furthest from the threat of the oceans. Homunculus won't actually get a lot, he'll just post articles about it.
  • As I'm the geographer of the lot, I'll need access to the entire lay of the land RTD. Hope we can work something out?
  • Geographer? Sit down, Surface Boy. Give me the info, Ralph. I know not only what is on the land, I know what is in it. And my endless labyrinth of underground tunnels will be the envy of every diabolical genius...and our smuggling operation will be nonpareil!
  • Is this compound defendable? Are there watchtowers in which to place the snipers? Is there a gate? a moat? If this is going to be the permanent home of the entire Branch Ralphian movement you'll have to put a little more thought into it.
  • Okay, we'll let SMT sell Maps to the Monkey's Homes to tourists. It will help raise needed cash. And the rock bitch can be the czar of subterrania. Just for gawd's sake don't screw up the well, and KEEP AWAY FROM THE SEPTIC FIELD.
  • Sigh. And rocket88 can be Chief of Security. Everybody's angling for a paid position...
  • Slow down Sally... I was a double major of both geography and geology. How are you going to know just where you are when you are lost underground, huh? You'll be chipping away at bedrock when I'm having a party on top of your isolated, oxygenless tomb of death. C'mon Ralph, give me all the deets!
  • (Oddly enough, the entire lot is fenced, there are three gates, there are plenty of tall hardwoods in which watchtowers could be built. There is no moat. But neighbors have told me that they "joke" (joke?) about my lot as a "witness relocation site" because of all this. Actually, it is all just to keep the dogs in. Nobondy's buying it.)
  • Septic field? Uh, I'll take a spot on the very far reaches of your plot then Ralph. Preferably near a tree with plenty of shade. And on preview, wow.
  • Surface Boy vs. Sally the Rock Bitch! We haven't had a good fight on Mofi in AGES!!!!!
  • /gets "Chief of Security" printed on t-shirt, jacket, baseball cap, shiny badge...
  • I was a double major of both geography and geology. *sniffs credentials* I was a quadruple major in social science, computer science, business administration, and geology. Furthermore, I am adept in chemistry, and can easily assemble weapons of mass distraction. Furtherhencemore, I am expertly qualified in many ancillary areas, including brainwashing, small arms use, and lockpicking. I'm sure my short duration in the Army can be useful as well. Oh, and the time I spun pizzas while in high school. As you can see, not only can I run this compound from the bedrock up, but I can offer counseling sessions as well. I think that, with my qualifications, I would be a perfect fit for your organization. I'll expect an offer on my desk in the morning.
  • But with my art history minor, I can ensure we'll all be adept at craft gifts for the tourists. I bet you worked at Dominoes, not a real pizza joint... like Shakeys or Godfathers.
  • Hand-spun, baby. Just like they do in Italy.
  • Ok, ok. I cede. She's all yours Ralph.
  • She always has been. I had her at "hello".
  • Aw, we're not sparring. Not even in Iceland. (Please don't give me to Ralph, please please please) What do you do with your double-dip in geography and geology?
  • In my dream job, I ride in a small dingy to Anak Krakatau on a regular basis, taking air/mineral samples while snapping photos for National Geographic. In reality, neither degree is utilized in the workplace. *sigh sigh sigh* NYC is a bitch
  • Oh man, that royally sucks. I don't know what I'd do if I couldn't do geology for a living. It's my religion. Sounds to me like you need to GTFO of that there non-accepable lifestyle and get cracking on Krakatoa.
  • Nunja knows the kings of England, and quotes the fights historical, from Babylon to Waterloo, in order categorical.
  • You're quadradical, TUM. And quadawesome.
  • And, to the theoretical house of science we lose two campers. Available lots, people! Bring your tents, your spirits and your dreams!
  • Hey, the only important thing is whether Ralph provides pre-wired, high speed internet access. Well, except for - are there decent gourmet grocery stores near? Oh, and, how are the shopping malls? But wait, I was planning to build a dome home when I left Dodge. Do you have city water and sewer? /spoiled.
  • RTD, I'd REALLY like to be a sniper. please??? I'm a good shot :D really!!
  • Sounds to me like you need to GTFO of that there non-accepable lifestyle and get cracking on Krakatoa. Thanks for reminding me! *slaps forehead* Kids change *everything* But my devil spawn are particulary cute, so it's OK... Krakatoa here I come... one day...
  • I'm still in Ralph. Mark a spot for me (if you must lift your leg, please do so with caution). And nunia, perhaps you could hire me!?
  • You guys are going to be building a hotel as well so that us Urpeans can come visit, right?
  • Kids change *everything* Don't I know it. Little boogereaters By the by, those tea-lings of yours look very happy. perhaps you could hire me!? I am a lowly employee of a geotech firm. However, if you ever move to Los Angeles, I can get you a job. I've gotten jobs for a couple of my geopals. Now, for the Ralph situation: seeing as though he has ousted me for my religious beliefs, I feel I have no other recourse than to sabotage his Dog-centric commune. I have hired several models from Victoria's Secret and have ordered them to "knock and run" every 15 minutes for the next several days. He won't get to see them in their naughty underthings, but he will know that yes, wanton women had been at his front door...just out of reach. This plan is sure to befuddle his little canis brain, and his plans for a Canadian Utopeea will crumble like so many soggy Milk Bones. Victory will be mine.
  • Little boogereaters A good summation. And yes, they never fail to smile! I am a lowly employee of a geotech firm Well, this is about what I encountered in NYC. Oh, they all seemed to love me mind you, but the pay! The pay! I think my last offer was from Navtech, a handsome starting salary of $26K (or thereabouts). In NYC, I would be eating scraps working at that wage if I was single - let alone feeding the boogereaters and the wifey. Heh, and I *almost* took a gig with the UN (unrelated to my previous affair with them) that *would* have utilized my education... but that would have locked me into a stagnant salary for about three years (which was not so hot to begin with). *sigh* C'mon nunia, I know you run the show. You're too modest... lowly employee... pffft! I see how you have Ralph wrapped around your middle finger. Regardless, thanks for the offer! Have been to every bloody state in the US except for Cali and Idaho
  • Holy crap, man. 26k? That's insulting. A geologist fresh out of college in Cali can snag a job around 40k, and that can double when he/she gets certified with the state as an engineering geologist (as I am aspiring to be...whee!) I'm assumuing that, since California has interesting and locally-uppredicable geology, it's bound to pay people more for foundation engineering. Of course, it doesn't hurt that the average cost of a house in this area is around 500k, and gets higher as one approaches the shoreline. Wrapping Ralph around my middle finger is easy, as he is ductile under the right conditions. However, he can become brittle, and he gets all crunchy and starts insulting my supposed knowledge and my taste in men. But that's when I lay the smack down and tickle him until he pees.
  • I was told yesterday that this unforgivable bill actually did exempt Americans because the language that it would remove Constitutional rights from Americans was removed. Hence the ambiguity. And since the Constitution trumps legislation that's not an amendment, habeas corpus can't be withdrawn. Ha ha! Take that, you limey bastards! 9/11! Freemocracy!
  • homunculus: It's good, if depressing, to have a summury of purposeful depredations that we might have seen as just "events." Also the Republican tactics descriptions were startling. Though, I guess I shouldn't have been surprised. Caligula-esque, indeed. Is it too much to hope for that the tide will turn? It has in the past. Maybe the secret would be to pay the Congress on an hourly basis, and limit their earnings to those paychecks. And eliminate the PACS and lobbies. And, I don't think we need all those commercials and pre-recorded telephone annoyances. This country seems to have done better at electing folks who were able to talk to the candidates, face to face. A limited and equal budget for campaigning could be a good thing. Would that separate the folks seriously committed to governing from those who see it as a road to riches?
  • Bush Moves Toward Martial Law Wow, Habeas Corpus and Posse Comitatus on the same day? Impressive.
  • jesus fucking christ on a pogo stick posted by sourbrew at 2:40 PM PST on October 28
  • Just hold on Sally, why the hell is this not a FPP? Having been consumed in a move all weekend, I've been out of touch with events as such (though I doubt this was even touched by the US news media). But, this is fucking heinous!! The two-party system 'aint doin' it folks. Bring back the fucking Whigs for crissakes! All of the ducks are lining up in their perverted rows. Nothing will change, and things will only corrode. Revolutionary war? Civil war? Wake up people, before nothing but tattered remains litter the Road of Democracy. Decaf double-shot lattes with Splenda and cheeseburgers from McDonalds at your local Sam's Club are not going to unchain you when the shackles come-a-callin'...
  • Just hold on Sally, why the hell is this not a FPP? I would want to find more detailed legal analysis of the implications of the bill before posting an FPP. And stop calling me Sally.
  • And stop calling me Sally. Ralph brought it out of me. Perhaps a deep mental slip of sorts? However, I shall oblige - as I wouldn't want to upset you, oh great and wonderful h-dogg! Though, I'm still not convinced that you are human...
  • I never said I was!
  • Instead, the administration immediately transferred al-Marri to a miltiary prison in South Carolina (where the administration brings its "enemy combatants" in order to ensure that the executive-power-friendly 4th Circuit Court of Appeals has jurisdiction over all such cases). Well that's - I say, that's - just plain gaming the system!
  • Go Dog Go!
  • “If we had not passed the bill, we would be going on into next year without having a procedure to try these people.” Thus, he said, he felt obligated to vote for the bill. Fucker. But, with the Democrats in control of Congress, the Court will know that if they strike this down it’ll never get passed again in anything like this form. The Republicans would just come back at them and pass the same thing again and again. The Democrats never will. The irony is, thanks to the election, the Court now has plenty of running room to do the right thing.” Goddamn, is it so fucking hard? Is it really that hard to do the right thing?
  • Well, gee! I bet holding him without charges or trial and giving him a hearing instead where hearsay and coerced evidence is allowed will make him love this country even more than he does now. He'll be such a ball of hatred that they could never release him, even if the hearing winds up in his favor (though that's probably unlikely.)
  • Could some enterprising journalist please ask the follow-up question: how many times in American history have we designated people as "enemy combatants?" Because I think that the American public would find the answer to that question very illuminating. Yeah, I dream about stuff too.
  • *gently sets New Year's Resolution aside* FUUUUCK!! GODDAMN THAT MOTHERFUCKINIG SONOFABITCH FUCKHOLE SHIT-SUCKING GODDAMN FUCK!! AAAAAARRRRRGH! DAMMIT! DAMMIT! DAMMIT! FUCK! . . . *sighs, picks up NYR again*
  • *NYR slips, falls to floor once again. Keeps rolling away, just out of reach. God damn fucking asshole piece of shit!*
  • In 2006, acting in reckless haste before an election, 65 senators and 250 members of the House defied the Constitution, endangered the safety of American soldiers and hurt the nation’s global reputation by passing the Military Commissions Act. The law created a separate, substandard and clearly unconstitutional system of trial and punishment for foreigners. This week Congress has a chance to begin fixing that grievous mistake. Why.Does.Everything.Have.To.Be.So.Fucking.Difficult!
  • Because. The. People. We. Elect. To. Represent. Us. Are. Asshats.
  • The Freakin' Democrats, right?!
  • a Department of Homeland Security affiliated institution that will study and determine how to defeat thought criminals Hold on. Back it up. Whaaa? Orwell was only a couple decades off... not bad. Time to chalk this one up as a loss!
  • WAR IS PEACE! WE HAVE ALWAYS BEEN AT WAR WITH OCEANIA!
  • good god
  • take a look at the definitions of violent radicalization and homegrown terrorism as defined in Section 899A of the bill. The definition of violent radicalization uses vague language to define this term of promoting any belief system that the government considers to be an extremist agenda. Since the bill doesn't specifically define what an extremist belief system is, it is entirely up to the interpretation of the government. It never ceases to amaze me that the current administration either can't see, or won't admit, that theirs is one of the more extremist agendas and belief systems out there. Does this mean no more X-Games?
  • what
  • The Center of Excellence?
  • OK, it's out of line to suggest that Bush be offed. But can we please waterboard him?
  • *clicks on handy H-dogg link* Does the Democratic Party still stand for human rights and civil liberties? Yes and no. *stops reading* *sighs*
  • This is bullshit. My respect for Obama just dropped by several kilometers.