reply to post by heliosprime
Okay, I will bite.
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech,
or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
George has successfully engineered the freedom of the press out of his press briefings, stonewalling any questions that would paint him in an
unflattering light (That he still manages to look terrible is a feat in itself).
George has also abused a law by Congress that should never have been passed (FREE SPEECH zones), which directly conflicts with the people's ability
to peacably assemble effectively for any redress of grievances.
I realize that "EFFECTIVELY" is nowhere in that sentance, but it should be fairly obvious that the writers meant us to be able to assemble in
protest ANYWHERE WE LIKE so long as we did it peacefully.
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.
This whole amendment just... well. The President has participated in a warrantless, illegal wiretapping operation, promoted it, defended it, and
claimed necessity. No matter what he says, this is in direct violation of Amendment 4.
A person's effects are their words in a computer, their computer files, and anything else that can be considered in their POSSESSION inside their
house. A lot of people want to equate this to "Papers", no, it is effects.
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.
Abu Ghraib, and any other secret prisons, are in direct violation of the section I have bolded. Before you comment on the "Unless" caveat; that
particularly refers to inter/intra-military crimes for which court martials take place, meaning that it is under the militaries jurisdiction to deal
with their OWN people. Everything else is applied to the "NO PERSON" words at the beginning of the amendment.
George has publicly defended the secret prisons, and also signed into law several laws which extradite captured POW's to these secret bases.
The same is true for Amendment 6, which deals with any criminal court proceedings having the right to a speedy trial and confrontation of
witnesses/presentment of evidence against them. The only problem with this amendment being at hand is that it focuses primarily on jurisdiction...
we'd have to figure out how to form a jury and such for non-american criminals.
On particular note concerning the DISQUALIFICATION's listed in the Constitution is this;
The President, Vice President and all civil Officers of the United States, shall be removed from Office on Impeachment for, and Conviction of,
Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors.
I'm fairly certain you could probably tag the Prez and V.P. on the BRIBERY charges, if not on the TREASON charges.
I hope this has been somewhat helpful in the subject at hand.