Praise Where It's Due

You may have heard recently that the US Senate voted (or rather, failed to vote down) a bill authorizing indefinite military detention of US citizens, even if arrested in the US, if they are charged with terrorism. Now, this is the very definition of a police state, and shreds the Constitution. It also baffles me how one can think it an unconstitutional evil to require one to buy health insurance but okay to allow the President to arrest and hold anybody based solely on his say-so.

At any rate, both of my Senators, including the Republican, Mark Kirk, voted to stop this nonsense. Operating on the theory that if you only complain to people, they stop listening to you, I faxed Senator Kirk the following letter [edited for clarity]:

Dear Senator Kirk:

I frequently disagree with your stated policy positions and votes in the Senate. However, fairness requires me to express support when you do take a stand for the rights of Americans. By crossing your party’s position, you earned my support.

So, I wish to congratulate you for doing the right thing by voting “yea” on Senate Amendment 125 to Senate Resolution 1867 (the Feinstein amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act for FY 2012). [the amendment would have canceled the military detention]

I am a fervent supporter of the war against Al Qaeda and other Islamic fundamentalists. However, shredding our Constitution by authorizing military detention of US citizens “captured” in the United States is a bridge too far. Ben Franklin is quoted as saying “those who would sacrifice freedom for safety deserve neither.” The bill as written clearly sacrificed an important freedom for a perceived need for safety.

Thank you again for your vote in defense of my liberty. I hope you continue to fight for the Constitution.

Sincerely,

Chris Gerrib