Daily Archives: September 9, 2005

US can detain “enemy combatant” indefinitely

jose-padilla.jpgWe truly live in scary times.
From the Financial Times:

The US Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled unanimously that José Padilla, a suspected al-Qaeda operative who US officials say was planning to carry out a terrorist attack inside the US, could be detained as an “enemy combatant” without any review by US civilian courts.

Don’t get me wrong, For all I know, José Padilla may be the Son Of Satan, but I deeply beleive that Everyone should get their day in court.

See Here: Amendment 5 – Trial and Punishment, Compensation for Takings

Pay attention to “No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury” and “nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law;“.

What blows my mind is: These are the same people who used to decry “Big” Gov’t. What ever else José Padilla may be, he’s a US citizen that has been locked up and deprived of Constitutional rights by the Gov’t without so much as a trial.

If he’s guilty, hold a trial, present evidence, convince 12 people he’s guilty and penalized him according to the Law.

We go after some foreign Governments when they do the same thing (Except Saudi Arabia and Pakistan) but we do the same thing? We live in a State where the Government can unilaterally lock up it’s citizens indefinitely?

Like I said, We truly live in scary times.

Photo originally from Reuters

Gas Prices!

exxonmobil.jpgOk, After going on my Honeymoon, I’m catching up with all that went on in the world and I Fill up my car. I just spent $53 dollars filling up my car. 2 weeks ago, It was $40. 4 years ago it was $20!

Then I come across this tidbit:
“Exxon’s $10B fill-up: Cashing in on crunch”

So, ExxonMobil’s profits are likely to soar above $10 billion this quarter Alone. (Don’t get me started on that “Energy” Bill!)

Follow this “Logic”:

  1. I mix a gallon Of Element X at .50 cents.
  2. I Hold onto it and wait till and Emergency comes along and triple the selling price citing new “costs”.
  3. I get prosecuted by the gov’t for Price gouging, Right?

Not if I’m a US Oil Company! According to this administration (Run by OIL executives!), this is just Market pressure…

For a lively discussion see here.

BTW: I’m not a “Liberal”, in fact many of my opinions are fairly consevative. I suppose I’m a moderate if anything as I really get pissed off at Extremes in either direction.