It is about to become a very very VERY bad time to be an American citizen:

House Passes $662B Defense Bill
http://www.npr.org/2011/12/14/143740608/house-passes-662b-defense-bill?ft=1&f=1014

It looks innocuous, annual on the surface… and then you read on and find this catflap:

‘Specifically, the bill would require that the military take custody of a suspect deemed to be a member of al-Qaida or its affiliates and who is involved in plotting or committing attacks on the United States. There is an exemption for U.S. citizens.

…

The bill also says the president can waive the provision based on national security.’

And if you wanted to see it from another source:

House Passes Indefinite Detention Bill After Obama Reverses Veto Threat
http://www.theatlanticwire.com/politics/2011/12/civil-liberties-activists-howl-after-obama-backs-down-defense-bill-veto-threat/46226/

I’m sure that many people don’t give a flying fig whether or not people like the crotch bomber have a right to a fair trial and appropriate treatment, but it’s still rather wtf… and y’know, unconstitutional. I know that many will also argue that if you are not guilty, you have no reason to be afraid, but that misses the point – America is supposed to be great because it trials people fairly, rather than guilty until proven innocent. It just amazes me how much of this sort of crazy people will accept in the name of supposed protection (which erm… no).

Finally, an opposing politician’s viewpoint:

Reject Indefinite Detention; Defend the Constitution
www.huffingtonpost.com/rep-hank-johnson/reject-indefinite-detenti_b_1149729.html

Personally, I do not subscribe to either political parties in America. I think Obama is just as big a stinker as Bush for his continued degregation to civil liberties, and that he thinks we the hoi polloi should endure it for our own good. While I am glad I voted for him and gave him a choice to be a fresh face, I don’t think I can vote for him again in good conscience. Honestly, I’m not sure there is going to be anyone that I can vote for, and that ticks me off. At least I can take advantage of my absentee ballot being paper and spoil it for a none of the above option, and I’m guessing that’s likely to be what happens at this rate. Unless Obama pulls his thumb out and protects civil liberties, he is not the President for me.

Anyways, just be aware – the establishment is still doing its best to keep us in the dark and criminalized, and they can only succeed if we don’t speak out. So speak out, and encourage others to speak out. Educate yourselves, for as trite as it is – knowledge is power!

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