From the transcript of the third 2012 Presidential Debate :SCHIEFFER: "Let -- let me ask you, Governor because we know President Obama's position on this, what is -- what is your position on the use of drones?"
ROMNEY: "Well I believe we should use any and all means necessary to take out people who pose a threat to us and our friends around the world. And it's widely reported that drones are being used in drone strikes, and I support that and entirely, and feel the president was right to up the usage of that technology, and believe that we should continue to use it, to continue to go after the people that represent a threat to this nation and to our friends. But let me also note that as I said earlier, we're going to have to do more than just going after leaders and -- and killing bad guys, important as that is."
With that statement, Mitt Romney failed to make a commitment to renew hope for liberty in America.
When President George W. Bush instituted the War on Terror in 2001 and Congress passed the USA Patriot Act, the jihadists who flew the planes into the World Trade Center towers achieved their greatest victory. They had, through the use of fear, and by arousing a desire for vengeance, caused the United States to begin to devour itself.
Let me remind the reader that the Amendments to the Constitution of the United States, as they were passed in order of time, overrode any prior portions of the original Articles, including the powers granted to Congress, the President, and the Judiciary. That was the purpose of amending the document. Thus we have the following :
Amendment 4 - Search and Seizure. Ratified 12/15/1791.
The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.Amendment 5 - Trial and Punishment, Compensation for Takings. Ratified 12/15/1791.
No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.Amendment 6 - Right to Speedy Trial, Confrontation of Witnesses. Ratified 12/15/1791.
In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defence.The War on Terror, as prosecuted via the USA Patriot Act, violates in numerous places the above three Amendments, and is clearly unConstitutional in that respect. Evidences of warrantless searches and seizures, of indefinite detention without habeas corpus, of arrests based on secret testimony; all these are commonly reported in our daily news, with no resistance to the tyranny by those sworn to uphold the Constitution and defend it against all enemies, foreign or domestic. Those hired to protect have been the most egregious violators.
The Obama Drone Policy, of which Romney said, "I support that and entirely, and feel the president was right to up the usage of that technology, and believe that we should continue to use it, to continue to go after the people that represent a threat to this nation and to our friends." has been used to sentence U.S citizens to death without trial. Further, the desire of the current administration to expand the use of drones worldwide against persons who are United States citizens, is an act of treason against the United States, since it gives aid to an enemy whose desire is to destroy our Constitutional protections.
Frequent mention has been made that this election is mostly about the economy. To the average voter, that is probably true, but what is also true is the undeniable fact that the collapse of our economy is inevitable. It will not matter who has won the Presidency. Whether we go forward into ruin under the policies of Obama, or in spite of the 5-point plan of Romney, whoever sits in that chair will face the responsibility for the failure.
America has, however, endured poverty before. The difference was that before, Americans enjoyed liberty under their Constitution. The poverty of free men has a much different feel than the poverty of slaves under tyranny.
It will not matter who wins this election; neither major candidate is a champion of liberty, and Americans will get the government they deserve. America has thrown away a gift from God, and the consequence will be one more chance to seek repentance on our knees.
Look Out for Morty!
11 years ago
Drones are shooting or have shot down US citizens?
ReplyDeleteYou been living under a rock?
ReplyDeleteYou might try reading Obama Drones Kill 2 Citizens; Where's the Law? by Nat Hentoff (Cato.org, October 21, 2011). Or maybe U.S. Can Kill American Citizens Without Trial: Eric Holder . Or this one, with more details : The Lethal Presidency of Barack Obama .
Oh, I know there are lots of people who think that the Constitution has to be set aside to successfully wage a war. Abraham Lincoln was the first President to set aside habeas corpus in order to stop dissent in the North against the War Between the States. Never forget that the Jesuits waged war against heretics using the principle that the end justifies the means.
Yes, at least two of the people killed by drones were guilty of talking about committing criminal acts. They had ideas, and other people acted on them. It was what they said, not what they did, that made them terrorists. It was religious reformers, who threatened the power of the state by what they said, that fled Europe to a new life in America. Remember, too, that Barry Soetero, despite his smooth talk, has never acted like a true Christian.
Just think what American history would be like, if Henry VIII and his daughter Mary had had drones with Hellfire missiles. Or how successful the Inquisition might have been if it had possessed those tools as it burned Dissenters and Jews (along with the stray Moslems who were unconvincing in their profession of Catholicism)?
Has the President killed US citizens without a Grand Jury indictment or a trial? You betcha. And Mitt Romney approves that message. This isn't your grandfather's America, Sport.
To answer your question: Yes, I live under a rock.
ReplyDelete