The Other McCain

"One should either write ruthlessly what one believes to be the truth, or else shut up." — Arthur Koestler

Rep. Jim Moran Does The Right Thing On The National Defense Authorization Act

Posted on | December 15, 2011 | 4 Comments

by Smitty

The Senate’s bill to make CONUS part of the battlefield has been one of the creepier items of recent news. My Representative, of whom I am not always the biggest fan, let us say, had the following to say of this legislation, via Blue Virginia:

“While the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) includes important provisions for our national defense, reluctantly, I must oppose the bill because it contains language that sets a frightening precedent which severely compromises the ideals, values and principles our nation was founded upon.
“It is a grave mistake to allow the government to detain terrorism suspects, even those who are American citizens, without charge or trial in military prisons. If an individual is accused of supporting terrorist groups or of committing an act of terrorism, they should have an opportunity to defend themselves in a court of law. It takes little imagination to consider how such a policy might be grossly misused against innocent people by future administrations.
“Further, the military should not – nor does it want to – enforce American law. But this bill would do exactly that, by imposing law enforcement duties upon our troops. Our civilian law enforcement agencies have proven themselves capable of apprehending, interrogating and prosecuting terrorism suspects. The United States is home to a world class civilian court system – one that has overseen the successful prosecution of more than 400 terrorists.
“The United States should never hold an individual, American or otherwise, indefinitely without charge. These provisions were poorly constructed and undermine our defining principles of liberty and justice for all.”

One could pick at the civil law/law of war distinction a bit, but, nah: let’s allow for a rare moment of substantial agreement with the fellow, and not bicker and argue over ‘oo detained ‘oo.

Category: Jim Moran, Virginia

Comments

4 Responses to “Rep. Jim Moran Does The Right Thing On The National Defense Authorization Act”

  1. Old Rebel
    December 15th, 2011 @ 1:52 pm

    What’s really scary is that every Republican candidate for Temporary Dictator (except Paul, who doesn’t have a chance) backs this frightening legislation.

    And when we recall that Obama intervened to make sure Americans could be included as enemy combatants, that leaves us with no pro-liberty candidate to choose from.

    Explain again how perpetual war is going to protect us?

  2. K-Bob
    December 15th, 2011 @ 2:15 pm

    You saw the branch at exactly the correct spot, Smitty.

    Whittling off the bad bits can happen later.

  3. Charlesmartel41
    December 15th, 2011 @ 4:06 pm

    “Our civilian law enforcement agencies have proven themselves capable of apprehending, interrogating and prosecuting terrorism suspects.”

    Absolutely.  Well, except for those 19 in 2001.

  4. Sorry Smitty, You And Jim Moran Are Wrong | Red Alexandria
    December 15th, 2011 @ 5:39 pm

    […] Smitty writes today about how the alleged wife-beating Congressman Jim Moran is right in his statement on his National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) vote. […]