Parish
Praising the Supreme Court's Decision
RECEIVED Thu., June 12, 2008
Dear Editor,
As a frequent complainer to Austin Chronicle “Postmarks” about various conspiracies which seem to me to be corrupting America, I’m writing to praise the United States Supreme Court, regarding their decision today (June 12) to repudiate the section of the Military Commissions Act which restricted the writ of habeas corpus.
According to (conservative) Justice Anthony Kennedy, writing for the majority, "The laws and Constitution are designed to survive, and remain in force, in extraordinary times."
The restitution of habeas corpus applies to detainees in Guantanamo Bay, whom the highest court ruled cannot be detained indefinitely without legal recourse; also, that the base cannot be considered “foreign soil” where the U.S. Constitution has no bearing.
Writing for the minority, Justice Antonin Scalia warned that American lives will be lost as a result of this ruling. This sounds suspiciously like the threat of a Mafioso against a business owner who will not pay for protection from the Mafia.
We should not take that threat lightly; there may indeed be retaliation by those who wish to turn back the calendar to a time before the Magna Carta. It should be noted that when we speak of the sacrifice men and women of the armed services have made to preserve the liberty, habeas corpus is one of those fundamental rights for which they died. Our weakened and lame-duck president is proud of his attempt to destroy that heritage.
As a frequent complainer to Austin Chronicle “Postmarks” about various conspiracies which seem to me to be corrupting America, I’m writing to praise the United States Supreme Court, regarding their decision today (June 12) to repudiate the section of the Military Commissions Act which restricted the writ of habeas corpus.
According to (conservative) Justice Anthony Kennedy, writing for the majority, "The laws and Constitution are designed to survive, and remain in force, in extraordinary times."
The restitution of habeas corpus applies to detainees in Guantanamo Bay, whom the highest court ruled cannot be detained indefinitely without legal recourse; also, that the base cannot be considered “foreign soil” where the U.S. Constitution has no bearing.
Writing for the minority, Justice Antonin Scalia warned that American lives will be lost as a result of this ruling. This sounds suspiciously like the threat of a Mafioso against a business owner who will not pay for protection from the Mafia.
We should not take that threat lightly; there may indeed be retaliation by those who wish to turn back the calendar to a time before the Magna Carta. It should be noted that when we speak of the sacrifice men and women of the armed services have made to preserve the liberty, habeas corpus is one of those fundamental rights for which they died. Our weakened and lame-duck president is proud of his attempt to destroy that heritage.
Sincerely,
Kenney C. Kennedy
Kenney C. Kennedy
