Yesterday, a photographer for the Associated Press, Bilal Hussein (whoops, wrong last name, sorry buddy, you're in deep shit now!) was released by the US Military, after being held FOR TWO YEARS. Oh yeah, forgot another fact, he was held that entire time WITHOUT CHARGE.
Guess what? "A U.S. military statement on Monday said Hussein is no longer considered a threat." Oh really? Wow. Thanks. I'm sure everyone is happy with that.
Now, I realize that our Constitution does not apply to non-Americans, because, God knows, no one else deserves justice but us. But that does not mean that those principles, to a heavy extent, should not be considered important in the way we deal with the citizens of other countries. Three of my favorite amendments happen to be:
The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.
No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a grand jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the militia, when in actual service in time of war or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.
In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the state and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the assistance of counsel for his defense.
The US Military may have had strong evidence that this guy actually did something pretty bad. We don't know. It's all a big secret. And if they had, don't you think they would have mentioned it? They truly expect us to believe something legitimately changed from the time he was arrested and yesterday? BULLSHIT.
Anyway, the point of all this ranting. I went from reading the above article in this morning's newspaper to learning about a question so important to Nash McCabe, a woman from Pennslyvania, that, given the chance to ask a question of a man who could soon be our President, on national television and in front of millions of voters, she asked it over any other question of real relevance and meaning that voters should hear the answer to before they vote:
"I want to know why you don't [wear an American flag pin]?"
Is this truly the country where someone could ask such a question and the answerer is not allowed to immediately tell her to shut the fuck up, go sit in that corner over there, and feel ashamed of yourself? And the rest of the audience does not nod approvingly?
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