Author: Scott

Current Habeas status update from Katherine, commenting at Obsidian Wings.

Legal immigrants who the gov’t deems to be “enemy combatants” do not have any right to habeas corpus, because they are not U.S. citizens. The fact that they are detained in South Carolina is irrelevant.

U.S. citizens detained in Iraq do not have any right to habeas corpus because they are being detained by a “multinational force” (although that force is commanded by a U.S. general and is directly subordinate to the U.S. Central Command, the Secretary of Defense, and the President). The fact that they are U.S. citizens is irrelevant.

Glenn Greenwald comments.

It’s kind of a shit hunt, where you’re looking for the flaws under the pretty picture they paint about their amendments. There’s some prestige for political junkies tonight; we’ve heard the arguments and can cut to the chase.

A discussion with Dad:
“I’m undecided on 90– what do you think?” (Flip, flip through the voter information guide.)

“Oh, that’s the trojan horse. The first half of it does a good thing– it restricts the crazy eminent domain stuff that came from the Kelo decision. Unfortunately, they got ambitious and included the second part, which is going to screw land use and zoning. It lets you sue for any property restriction– can you imagine if it’d been passed before the air district limited fireplace use, or if someone wanted to sell his farm for a subdivision and was zoned Ag?”

“What’s going on with 1A?” (Flip, flip through the voter information guide.)

“Mmm, remember how a couple of years ago we voted to restrict the state gas tax for transportation? Well, now they want the sales tax on gas sales too.”

It’s strange– it feels good to discuss the problems and the loopholes. We’re engaged, the way a citizen should be.