Why Is Bush Waiting On Military Commissions Act?

I really wanted to make my first 'official' post something light or humorous, but it looks like it won't be so.

October 17th, 2006 is the day I've been hearing and reading about as the day President Bush would be signing the Military Commissions Act. This is the bill that he and his minions rammed through the House and Senate a few weeks back, most will remember it as the 'torture bill'. The administration needed it post-haste and therefore there would not be enough time to dissect it's true nature. That was a few weeks ago, and still it hasn't been signed. I've been assuming to myself that the reason for this delay was the casual and deliberate signing statements that have become the administrations new 'favorite toy', but the story linked to below might be more accurate. It's an easy read and has several more examples then the few I included below of the way the Bill of Rights will be interpreted from this point on unless something or someone stops the signing.

A hint as to why they may be waiting to sign, Their hoping and praying for their "Major Event", in which case they'll have no choice but to restrict our rights further in order to keep us safe and secure to buy oil and consume more in an effort to pacify our ever increasing miserable, frightened lives.

 

- The definition of torture that the legislation cites is US code title 18 section 2340. This is a broad definition of torture and completely lacks the specific clarity of the Geneva Conventions. This definition allows the use of torture that is, "incidental to lawful sanctions." In alliance with the bill's blanket authority for President Bush to define the Geneva Conventions as he sees fit, this legislates the use of torture.

- Destruction of any property is defined as terrorism, which is deemed punishable by any means of the military tribunal's choosing.

- Any violent activity whatsoever is defined as terrorism if it takes place near a designated protected building, such as a charity building.

- A change of the definition of "pillaging" turns all illegal occupation of property and all theft into terrorism. This makes squatters and petty thieves enemy combatants.

 

 

 

Source: Why Is Bush Waiting On Military Commissions Act?