Did our constitution just get thrown out of the window? The Senate overwhelmingly approved the NDAA, which contains the unconstitutional provision allowing for the president to use the military to indefinitely detain American citizens without trial.
That might lead you to ask why so many elected officials would violate their oath of office to support and uphold the Constitution of the United States. Internet activist group Anonymous provided a clue when it claimed Senator Robert Portman, who voted for NDAA, had received more than $272,000 from groups supporting NDAA.
What was the “the dumbest argument” for defending passage of the NDAA? AlterNet answered that for us.
The lack of media coverage on NDAA was noteworthy, if not newsworthy. The mainstream media has apparently vacated the Fourth Estate. Meanwhile, the Daily Beast’s Andrew Sullivan is among those who once voiced strong support for President Obama on the Internet who are now questioning his disregard for civil liberties.
It also prompted our Tweet of the Week:
Do we really want our president to be our king? If Newt Gingrich is next to assume the throne, the expansion of presidential powers may balloon to dangerous proportions. Newt indicated in a report on The Raw Story that his main presidential responsibility should be personally deciding what is best for protecting Americans, not upholding and defending the Constitution of the United States. He wants to dispose of our system of checks and balances to prevent the courts from getting in the way of his decisions.
Is the U.S. really leaving Iraq? Here’s a good answer to that question from Salon.
Does color matter in matters of civil liberties? I direct you to a powerful opinion piece in the New York Times. I rant and rave about our disappearing civil liberties, even though I’ve never been subjected to anything like what this young man has frequently endured.
Those who have questioned authority since back in the “hippie daze,” likely have marched to the music of Graham Nash. The veteran musician of Hollies, CS&N and CSN&Y fame is still cranking out good tunes with strong messages. In our Video of the Week, Nash chimes in on accused (and already declared guilty by Obama) whistle-blower Bradley Manning, with his new song, “Almost Gone.”
Are police changing their stance on marijuana? According to an editorial in PoliceOne.com, a surprising number of officers are. Some are being punished for speaking their minds on re-legalization.
Keep on questioning.