Detention

As I was purchasing my Sunday newspaper I was questioned about Senators John McCain and Scott Brown supporting the idea that Federal Agents have the right to enter one's house without a warrant and detain one indefinitely.

I would like to start by differentiating between those engaged in combat on the battlefield, against US forces, and criminals, to include terrorists.  An example of the former would be the Confederate Army.  Such people, taken on the battlefield, in consequence of combat operations, get no Constitutional protections for their actions.  They should become Prisoners of War and subject to detention for the duration.  No right of habius corpus.  No right to a trial.

But, those who might be involved in some terrorist event and residing in the United States should have all the possible Constitutional protections.  They are not wearing a recognizable uniform.  They are civilians and should be detained based upon the rules for dealing with civilians.

If Mssrs McCain and Brown voted to abrogate the Constitution in this matter they were wrong.  In case I was not clear on this point, they acted wrongly, acted in a manner that undermines our Constitution and our Freedom.

They should be ashamed.

And, this is not about some terrorist, but about the rest of us.  Governments tend to overreach in these areas.  Our Constitution is about protecting us from Government, which is big and powerful and against which individuals are defenseless unless they band together with like minded citizens.

Regards  —  Cliff