Why do the majority of Americans not know that Habaeus Corpus has been eliminated by George Bush?

Question

Habaeus corpus is our primary protection from the government. Its what guarantees us the right to not be detained without cause and to have a judge and a jury and a phone call, and bail etc.

The military commissions act basically repealed this foundational constitutional writ, and leaves us all vulnerable to helplessness and powerlessness from our own government. It also gives them the right to TORTURE. Yes its all in there. I don't understand how more people don't know, or care about this!

Answer 1

Because they are sheeple, who believe anything the President says.

They think it is only for "Enemy Combatants"... what they do not realize is that it is for everyone.

Freedom of Religion is the only one of the Bill of Rights that Bush won't try and take away.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

EDIT:

Remember what some of our Founding Fathers had to say on this subject:

Benjamin Franklin:  Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.

Thomas Jefferson: I would rather be exposed to the inconveniences attending too much liberty than to those attending too small a degree of it.

Before September 11, 2001:  Art. 1 (9) of the U.S. Constitution obliges the government not to suspend the Writ of Habeas Corpus, except in cases of rebellion or invasion. The habeas corpus privilege prohibits the government from imprisoning you without giving you the opportunity to challenge your detention in court.  

After September 11, 2001:  On November 13, 2001, President Bush signed an executive order authorizing the government to designate any person who is not a U.S. citizen as an “enemy combatant” and imprison them indefinitely, without criminal charges or access to an attorney. Several hundred persons have been detained pursuant to this order, mostly at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

The order also authorized the use of military tribunals against enemy combatants. The tribunal serves as interrogator, prosecutor, defense counsel, judge, and when death sentences are imposed, as executioner. Military tribunals can conceal evidence by citing national security, make up their own rules and find a defendant guilty even if a third of the officers disagree. Moreover, the procedural rules don’t prohibit the use of torture. The Bush administration claims that international conventions signed by the United States that prohibit torture don’t apply to enemy combatants. Further, it alleges that U.S. courts have no right to intervene in these procedures.  

Then, in 2002, the Bush administration claimed the authority to designate U.S. CITIZENS as enemy combatants under the same conditions. While, in 2004, the Supreme Court ordered the Bush administration to permit U.S. CITIZENS held as enemy combatants to challenge their status in court, it also suggested that an “appropriately authorized and properly constituted military tribunal” might suffice.

In other words, the Supreme Court has validated the government’s authority to drag U.S. CITIZENS into custody as an enemy combatant. You may be imprisoned indefinitely without being charged with any crime. If you are found guilty, there is no right of appeal, and your sentence, which may include execution, may be carried out immediately.

You might believe only members of known terrorist organizations are affected by these provisions. Think again.

In 2005, two 16-year-old girls from New York City were detained and rotted away for weeks in detention, because the FBI believed them to be “terrorist risks.” One girl wrote an essay in which she mentioned “suicide bombers.” The other was accused of being her friend. Based solely on this evidence, the FBI carried out warrantless invasions of the girls’ homes, detained them both and sent them off to prison without charging them with any crimes.

Is that enough fact for you?

EDIT AGAIN:

Added Links

Answer 2

I think its taken for granted by most Americans that we live in a free country. Matters of politics are very complicated and we live in a culture of specialists, wherein we delegate matters of our lives to people with special knowledge about those subjects. I think most people are not involved and are not knowledgable about our laws and the activities of our government because its become so complicated just to manage our own lives.



So when issues like you mention come to pass, and it happens somewhat quietly, many people don't notice. Many people who are aware of it aren't sure what to do about it, and this makes it easy to not do anything. Many of us have become apathetic in my opinion. And yes, many of our rights are being taken away.

A number of people contested your question. I think they bring up a good point in questioning your sources. I would suggest knowing as much as you can about the specifics and citing that information. Thank you for your question.

Answer 3

It doesn't matter.  We will eventually get rid of the entire Constitution, Sweetheart.

Individual rights are the downfall of this great nation.  National security REQUIRES the removal of all individual rights.  Liberty and privacy place severe restrictions on our government and law enforcement.

If you want to be safe, you MUST waive all of your rights.

Freedom and security can't co-exist.

God will bless America only after we get rid of the Constitution.

Answer 4

American citizens ARE covered by Habeaus Corpus. Enemy combatants are not.

Would you like it if our soldiers had to shout out a Miranda warning before they shot back at the enemy?

This is a war, enemies in a war are not entitled to the same rights as American citizens.

This is not something created by Bush, this is a concept as old as war itself.

I do not care because I realize that war is a dirty business, one that needs to be conduced on the battlefield, not in the courtroom. AND I care more about American victory and the safety of US Soldiers then I do about the welfare of illegal combatants. If they want even Geneva Convention treatment, then they had better get on board with Geneva rules or it is all bets off.

Answer 5

Add this to the Patriot Act and the Violent Radicalization and Homegrown Terrorism Act and you've got yourself the framework for an Orwellian invisible government....

Brandon A:  Nowhere does it differentiate between US citizens and enemy combatants.  If I go off on enough of a rant, I could be considered an enemy combatant.  Read the Violent Radicalization Act I mentioned above.  It's called H.R. 1955.

Answer 6

Could you point out the paragraph on that? I just don't seem to see where that's true. So I guess that's your answer we don't see it.

Answer 7

Do you prefer strawberry or cherry Kool-ade?

Answer 8

You know - you would not sound so stupid if you had actually _read_ the 'Military Commissions Act.'

BTW - are you aware that if the liberals have their way then an Al Queda lawyer will be able to look at classified military and intelligence files under the 'discovery laws?'  Remember what happened the last time this happened?

Answer 9

The miltary commissions act applies to unlawful enemy combatants as defined in Chapter 47A—Military commission: Subchapter I--General provisions: Sec. 948a. Definitions.  This is not directed at lawful U.S. citizens.

Moreover, this was instituted mainly for terrorists.  How does Habeus Corpus apply to Islamic Radicals that do not recognize any form of western, parliamentary, or democratic government? Al-Qaeda does not find common law, the Constitution, the Magna Carta, etc. as a right to be given to anyone.  The only legitimate form of "government" or "Law" is the Koran.  I don't understand why more people don't realize how the Islamic Extremists find any form of social or political structure other than the one dictated by Islam is deemed null and void, and punishable by death, conversion, or subjugation.

Answer 10

I invite you to produce proof of your claim, and to stop spreading lies.

Answer 11

You're right!!

You should leave the country, IMMEDIATELY!!

Answer 12

Ok Coco - First off, GW is detaining non US citizens at Gitmo who are suspected terrorists. Since they are not US citizens they are not protected by the US constitution. So torture away until we get the info that we want.

Secondly if you knew anything about history you'd see that Habaeus Corpus has been suspended during times of war and US citizens themselves have been held. For example the Japanese internment camps during WWII and Lincoln also suspended it during the Civil War.

So put down the granola, let go of that tree and try picking up a book from time to time.

Answer 13

Cold, I had heard that also. Habeus Corpus is one of the oldest and strongest writs ever. But we both know government does what they want these days.

Answer 14

Because of exactly the same reason they are so unaware of most things.

They are to stupid and self involved to give a flying fu*k.

Answer 15

When did he do this!!!!!!!!!! Oh my G** <<  cant mention that word because it would be politically incorrect. As for Habaeus Corpus what gives terrorist the right to that? Are you insane? they want us dead do you like dead??  I dont but libs I guess are just too naive or dumb to see it until its too late!!! Man I'm sick of you people!! just leave please!!

Answer 16

Cover up. Your ignorance is showing. Only American citizens are entitled to Habaeus Corpus.........not enemy combatants.

Answer 17

This is written where?  Oh wait that's right facts are not your friends.  You don't want Habeas Corpus, you want the Geneva Conventions which is what deals with POW's.  I think you are completely clueless and just want to run around screaming about the sky falling.  

Of course if you are so worried about it why not do something next election?  After all it was the DEMOCRAT controlled house and senate that approved this bill.