Thoughts on the National Defense Authorization Act of 2012

Being here in Thailand on the Burmese border I am exposed to some harsh realities. One of them is meeting former political prisoners who have spent years being tortured and held without trial and for doing nothing more then speaking their mind. The interviews I have done over the last two weeks have made me realize just how lucky I am to be from a country where, sure not everything is perfect, but at least I can write this blog. At least I can read what I want (more or less) on the internet and at least I have been able to go to school. There are lots of at leasts... I'm fully aware that I am lucky.

That being said, the National Defense Authorization Act of 2012 is going to Obama's desk right now. This is a bill that, as far as I can tell, will allow the U.S. government to charge U.S. citizens as terrorists and hold them without trial indefinitely. It being rationalized as a new way to fight the war on terror. The war on terror eh? Sound's a little hypocritical uncle sam.... Now, I understand that we need to fight terrorists but there are so many reasons why this act doesn't do this effectively. First, look at our country's history in a context outside the U.S. over the last fifty years. We fund wars, we trick countries into debt they can not get out of, we back military regimes. This isn't conspiracy theories, it's fact that the U.S. has had more then its "fare" share of terror-motivated actions in the past.

Secondly, and more importantly, this bill gives the government the right to detain a citizen by calling them a terrorist. There is no trial in the deal and no time limit for how long said citizen can be held. This would help to detain people who are terrorists that the U.S. can't justify detaining now, but it also allows for a protester, a writer, a speaker, an educator, who speaks out in a way that questions the U.S. and it's policies to be detained because they would be "suspected as terrorists." This is a horrifying concept and it is hard to believe that it has even MADE it to Obama's desk. Here are some quotes, click on their names and it will take you to the piece it's from.


"Up until now, no matter how much (or how little) wealth you had... no matter how much or little education and influence you had... every American was at least guaranteed a freedom from fear: your government could not come in the middle of the night with military non-police forces, without charge, and take you away. If the National Defense Authorization Act clears the House and is not vetoed by President Obama, that will no longer be true. None of us will be safe. And you won't be given access to a trial or a lawyer. The media is not telling the public about this bill, which means you have to, before your right to speak out disappears. Tell everyone. This cannot be allowed to stand. This is still the United States of America."- David Seaman


"... the conference committee left unchanged the controversial language that denies accused terrorists, including U.S. citizens arrested within the country, the right to a trial and could subject them to indefinite detention." - Rania Khalek


“Moreover, applying this military custody requirement to individuals inside the United States, as some Members of Congress have suggested is their intention, would raise serious and unsettled legal questions and would be inconsistent with the fundamental American principle that our military does not patrol our streets.” - Ron Paul

I have to say that most of the writings I have been able to find on this issue are extreme to a point where I have to question their validity, but in the end I think that these extreme comments aren't exagerations, they are reality. Why? Because there is almost no mainstream coverage. There is no "other side" being put out there. All extensive media coverage on the issue is from small, independent sources or blogs. Even the coverage it is getting in the mainstream news isn't all good.

"This bill would also violate or even end the Posse Comitatus Act which limits local governments and law enforcement to use the military to enforce the law. The act was passed 1878 and a response to military occupation by the U.S. Army during the ten years of Reconstruction after the Civil War. Some could even argue the passing of the National Defense Authorization Act would even hurt Fourth Amendment rights to unlawful search and seizure." - Amelia Waters, FOX news

I have to conclude that yes, it really is that bad. It's surreal, to say the least, being so far away from the U.S. and studying a country where activists are detained without trial and held for years. It is hard to hear their stories and it makes me feel lucky to be a U.S. citizen. I can't even begin to explain how it feels to realize that the U.S. isn't so far away from being in a similar situation. I'm not going to compare Burma to the U.S., that isn't even comparing apples and oranges, it's like comparing apples and pig's ears. BUT I am going to say that this bill is horrifying and should. not. be. passed. Do your own research on it, form your own opinion if you disagree with mine, but all I can say it that this. is. wrong.  Rise up, make calls, send emails. This isn't alright with us.