Keep in mind these are not people we picked up in Afganistan, bur people who were picked up off the streets, pretty much at random in the US. Still don't think it can happen to you?
I hate to say this, but people will only believe it when it happens to a middle class White person... and even then psychological defensive rationalisations will kick in in spades.
I'm sorry...but "...the chaos surrounding September 11 made it unclear what the law was..." Unless there were any executive orders detailing the need to harass people at random, then surely the laws remain unchanged, even in a time of chaos? Or am I being naive?
No, you're making a really important point. In times of war, disaster or epidemic, the only thing that separates us from descending into chaos and barbarism is, in fact, the law. It is what preserves civilisation in crunch time. If officials are so readily prepared to shrug and give up those laws, what the hell are they doing calling themselves a civilised democracy?
It seems to me that the government which wasn't prepared to cope with the situation ended up rounding up people just for the sake of doing something. Sadly I feel like this could happen anywhere not just the US. @Flibblebot: During times of crisis martial law/state of emergancy can be declared which grants the US president additional powers to deal with the situation which may or may not take perrogative over existing laws.
Yes, but that is still a due process. This did not take place here. It was more a case of: "Round up the usual suspects".
Yeah, this is absolutly rediculous. This bull*hit needs to stop. I really like the USA. It's laws and general function seem to work well, however I feel it's biggest problem is the current leader (and followers) completely ignoring those laws. This country is slowly moving away from what is the USA, and is becoming some type of putrid bast*rd lawmass. I hope that we somehow manage to get Bush out of office and get someone in there that will turn this place around. Of coarse I am a total hypocrite because aside from writing on forums, I will most likely never get the chance to help get him out of office. I'm sorry peoples.
Correct, I was just clarifying the point that the law might not remain unchanged during a time of crisis. It seems like in this case they just collected people who fit the stereotype of what a terrorist is without further justification. @ Devenfore: Change is inevitable, as the U.S. begins to lose it's place as the world's top economy (who can compete with ~1 billion cheap workers?) the self identity of the U.S. has to change. Great Britain and Europe had to deal with this as well and it was a trying time for them. Unfortunately during any transition there is going to be an upsetting of the current system. As a country we currently seem to identifying ourselves through our power and demonstrating that power to reaffirm our self image. At the same time there are many social issues that need to be dealt with, such as medicare and social security, that demand change due to their enormous size and influence on everyday life. The role that the U.S. plays in the future is currently being defined and right now it's not what I'd like.
Sounds to me like "chaos surrounding" means that they lost the: "BOOK OF LAW", in the office, because of the chaos, the chaos, of 9/11 right? And also, they must of also misplaced the: "BOOK OF COMMON SENSE", because without common sense, how do you expect people not to abuse other people? Its impossible, thats what it is...
