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"That doesn't mean I have to agree with it." George W Bush's comment on the Supreme Court's 5-4 decision to give Guantanamo detainees the same constitutional rights as American citizens ~ reinforcing his own arrogant self image as the ultimate decider: Allen L Roland The Supreme Court ruled yesterday that since the Gitmo detainees are in U.S. custody, those detainees enjoy constitutional protections. In today's 5-4 Boumediene v. Bush decision, the Court ruled that stripping habeas corpus rights from detainees at Guantanamo Bay was unconstitutional. In so doing, the Court reaffirmed the fundamental right of habeas corpus ~ the right that all Americans, and those prisoners under American control, have to challenge the government's reasons for imprisoning them ~ a fundamental American right that underpins our individual freedoms and liberty. This ruling is a major setback for the Bush administration. Now President Bush is talking about drafting new legislation which would be Bush's attempt to pass an unconstitutional law so Bush can have his way with the Guantanamo detainees. Chief Justice Roberts and Justice Scalia both offered their own frightening dissents, along with Justices Alito and his silent partner Clarence Thomas. If there was just one more Justice on the Court in the mold of these conservative Justices, the fate of this fundamental constitutional right would have been decided very differently. Habeas corpus was on the line today ~ but tomorrow it will be free speech, religious liberty, reproductive rights, equality for all, voting rights -- every essential right that's a part of the American way. That's what's at stake with the Supreme Court on the ballot this November. Writing for the majority, Justice Anthony Kennedy said, "The laws and Constitution are designed to survive, and remain in force, in extraordinary times. Liberty and security can be reconciled; and in our system reconciled within the framework of the law." Bush has obviously forgotten this famous quote from Barry Goldwater regarding power ~ "Now those who seek absolute power, even though they seek it to do what they regard as good, are simply demanding the right to enforce their own version of heaven on earth, and let me remind you they are the very ones who always create the most hellish tyranny": Barry Goldwater Kennedy, the court's swing vote, was supported by Justices John Paul Stevens, David Souter, Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Stephen Breyer ~ generally considered the liberal contingent. Our next President must not only live up to his oath to defend the Constitution, which George W Bush has ignored, but must also appoint justices who reflect this commitment. Allen L Roland http://blogs.salon.com/0002255/2008/06/13.html Freelance Alternative Press Online columnist and psychotherapist Allen L Roland is available for comments, interviews, speaking engagements and private consultations ( allen@allenroland.com )
Take action -- click here to contact your local newspaper or congress people: Click here to see the most recent messages sent to congressional reps and local newspapers http://www.allenroland.com Allen L Roland is a practicing psychotherapist, author and lecturer who also shares a daily political and social commentary on his weblog and website allenroland.com He also guest hosts a monthly national radio show TRUTHTALK on Conscious talk radio www.conscioustalk.net
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