Specter-Levin Amendment
by KevinSeptember 25th, 2006
Stealing wholesale from Katherine at Obsidian Wings:
There is still a chance–maybe not a very good chance, but a real chance–to change one of the worst aspects of the detainee bill. Carl Levin and Arlen Specter* are apparently planning to co-sponsor an amendment to remove the section that strips the courts of jurisdiction to hear habeas corpus claims over Guantanamo.
I don’t have time to write a long post about why this is important. There are many, many such posts in our archives if anyone wants to look. Here’s one. Here’s another, which contains links to still others.
This list gives the contact information for every U.S. Senator.
Please call, and ask them to support the “Specter-Levin amendment restoring habeas corpus”. (I don’t have the amendment #). Please also consider asking other people to call, and if you have a weblog, writing a post asking them to do so. Obviously, you might also consider asking them to filibuster the detainee bill itself.
Habeas corpus is the heart of liberty. Without the Great Writ, governments can lock people away on just their say so, never having to justify the detention. The Bush Administration wants just that power over the detainees at Gitmo, despite the fact that habeas corpus challenges have gotten innocent people released. Call your Senators and ask them to support Levin’s and Specter’s attempt to preserve this basic tool of justice.
Because at the end of the day, shouldn’t American prisons, no matter where they are or who they hold, be tools of justice?
Katherine is also keeping a list of the position of Senators on this amendment. If you get a straight answer from yours, let her know.
Categories: General, Iraq, Legal Issues, Terrorism |
Any chance you can give us a bill number? This description is kind of vague, Specter has a lot of irons in the fire.
Vicki
I haven’t found one yet. As soon as I do, I will post it.