Where the hell did Habeas go and how do we get him back? Listen to Senator Chris Dodd detail the legislation he submitted to help restore habeas corpus and then sign on to citizen-co-sponsor the bill.
Restoring the Constitution Act of 2007
In February, I re-introduced the Restoring the Constitution Act of 2007. The bill will restore Habeas Corpus protections to detainees, bar information acquired through torture from being introduced as evidence in trials, and limit presidential authority to interpret the meaning and application of the Geneva Conventions.
Many thanks, Senator Dodd. By the way, great name for the legislation. Here’s the bill summary and the bill text.
So, head to www.Restore-Habeas.org to become a citizen co-sponsor.
I’d hate to lose him as a Senator, but I’d love to have him as a vice-president. Sorry Chris! But, I’m pushing for Edwards at the top of the ticket. Check out these exerpts from Dodd’s floor speech he made when introducting the bill (from the congressional record @ thomas).
Mr. President, I rise today to introduce the Restoring the Constitution Act of 2007–a bill to provide for the effective prosecution of terrorists and guarantee due process rights. I am pleased to be joined by Senators Leahy, Feingold, and Menendez as original cosponsors. This bill would make significant important changes to the Military Commissions Act of 2006 which became law last October.
I have served in this body for more than a quarter-century, but I remember few days darker than September 28, 2006, the day the Senate passed President Bush’s Military Commissions Act. Let me be honest with you, I believe this body gave in to fear that day. I believe we looked for refuge in the rule of men, when we should have trusted in the rule of law.
…
To be clear–I absolutely believe that under very clearly proscribed circumstances military commissions can be a useful instrument for bringing our enemies to justice. But those who ask us to choose between national security and moral authority are offering us a false choice, and a dangerous one. Our Nation has been defeating tyrants and would-be tyrants for more than two centuries. And in all that struggle, we’ve never sold our principles–because if We did, we would be walking in the footsteps of those we most despise.
In times of peril, throwing away due process has been a constant temptation–but that is why we honor so highly those who resisted it. At Nuremberg, America rejected the certainty of execution for the uncertainty of a trial, and gave birth to a half-century of moral authority. Today I am asking my colleagues to reclaim that tradition, to put the principles of the Constitution above the passion of the moment. That reclamation can begin today–if we remedy President Bush’s repugnant law. We can do it–and keep America Secure at the same time.
Freedom from torture. The right to counsel. Habeas corpus. To be honest, it still amazes me that we have to come to the floor of the Senate to debate these protections at all. What would James Madison have said if you told him that someday in the future, a Senator from Connecticut would be forced to publicly defend habeas corpus, the defendant’s right to a day in court, the foundation of Our legal system dating back to the 13 century? What have we come to that such long-settled, long-honored rights have been called into question?
…
All 100 members of this body have been given the gravest of responsibilities. The people of this country have entrusted us with this Nation’s security; and they have entrusted us with this Nation’s principles. But those who argue that our principles stand in the way of our security are sadly, sorely mistaken: They are the source of our strength.
Five months ago, we departed from that source. But it is not too late to turn back. It is not too late to redeem our error. I implore my colleagues to join me.
Leave a passing comment »
Leave a Reply