This thread is not going to get much action. The people who know, know. And the people who see everything through rose colored glasses, will naysay. What's depressing is that no one holds the Congress accountable, and the Founders made an enormous mistake when they did not include in the Constitution the requirement for all legislation to pass Constitutional muster before being signed. It's very simple. No Bill should be passed that is unconstitutional. Because Bills such as this, and the Military Commissions Act remove the opportunity to have the legitimacy of the legislation tested by the Supreme Court, before the legislation itself is enacted.
People are to lazy I believe to even read a bill being passed by Congress... Maybe this will help them to understand what this bill means... Please Watch to Understand... Freedom of Speech and H.R. 1955
My grandfather was in Austria when Hitler rose to power. My father was in Argentina during Peron's "dirty war". I may have a slightly different perspective on the direction of our country than most of you. suspension of habeas corpus - check criminalizing political dissent (HR 1955) - on the way IDs to track everyone - on the way So if Homeland Security's commission of "Joe McCarthy"s comes to your town and decides you are a terrorist (for political dissent), they can lock you up and throw away the key. The potential for abuse here has historical precedent in Peron's dirty war.
I have a deeply fond memory for a great teacher of mine - the late Jeff Corey, member of the Group Theatre Ensemble, "Wild Bill Hickock" in Little Big Man, a million other roles, and beloved acting teacher to generations. Jeff was a decorated WWII vet, brought before the House Un-American Activities Committee, charged with being a communist, and asked to turn state's evidence against fellow artists. He refused. And because of this, he wasn't able to work in the industry for over 12 years. He had a family to feed, and so began teaching. I feel lucky. The issue is a deeply serious one for me as well.
I just heard today that Obama was one of the architects behind this Bill. Mr. Civil Liberties? WAKE UP. Makes me sick.