Tampering With Fundamental Rights
Re: “A Near Miss for Key Rights,” Commentary, June 29: Perhaps the most important part of Jonathan Turley’s Op-Ed article is his statement concerning habeas corpus for prisoners: “That this right was even at question is an example of a system at risk.”
Habeas corpus has been a fundamental right of all humans in Anglo-Saxon society for hundreds of years. Government cannot imprison or detain people (citizens or noncitizens) indefinitely without charges and an opportunity to contest those charges.
Over the centuries, habeas corpus has remained perhaps our most vital protection against dictatorial government.
The Bush administration’s claim that the president as commander in chief of the military may indefinitely incarcerate citizens and noncitizens without charges and an opportunity to contest those charges openly defies habeas corpus, U.S. law and binding international treaties. That such a claim (of presidential dictatorial powers) could even be made, and that a decision of the Supreme Court should be needed to declare it unconstitutional, truly demonstrates a “system at risk.”
The Supreme Court is due our profound gratitude for protecting us from this power-hungry president.
Charles Wyle
Los Angeles
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A number of years ago, I was walking past a vacant building on the Sunset Strip when I heard screams coming from a man inside. Turns out it was thugs beating information out of a guy over a drug deal gone bad. I’ve never heard a man scream like that. And even though it took police only a short time to arrive, I will never forget the horror of that night.
President Bush has been exporting and/or condoning the use of torture on men -- and women -- since 9/11 in the name of the United States of America. In nearly three years of holding detainees, I cannot begin to imagine the pain and suffering his administration has meted out (and is directly responsible for) in the name of the United States of America.
No more. With freedom and democracy, for the sake of God and country, I am voting Bush and his thugs out of office come Nov. 2 -- in the name of the United States of America.
Rick Conrad
Beverly Hills
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Re “It’s Called Democracy,” Editorial, June 29: It’s that pesky Constitution. If it weren’t for that, we’d have a pretty good country here.
Stefen Malone
West Hollywood
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