Molly Ivins: Habeas Corpus, R.I.P. (1215 - 2006)

AUSTIN, Texas—Oh dear. I’m sure he didn’t mean it. In Illinois’ Sixth
Congressional District, long represented by Henry Hyde, Republican candidate
Peter Roskam accused his Democratic opponent, Tammy Duckworth, of planning to
“cut and run” on Iraq.

Duckworth is a former Army major and chopper pilot who lost both legs
in Iraq after her helicopter got hit by an RPG. “I just could not believe he
would say that to me,” said Duckworth, who walks on artificial legs and uses a
cane. Every election cycle produces some wincers, but how do you apologize for
that one?

The legislative equivalent of that remark is the detainee bill now
being passed by Congress. Beloveds, this is so much worse than even that
pathetic deal reached last Thursday between the White House and Republican Sens.
John Warner, John McCain and Lindsey Graham. The White House has since
reinserted a number of “technical fixes” that were the point of the putative
“compromise.” It leaves the president with the power to decide who is an enemy
combatant.

[...]

In July 2003, George Bush said in a speech: “The United States is committed
to worldwide elimination of torture, and we are leading this fight by example.
Freedom from torture is an inalienable human right. Yet torture continues to be
practiced around the world by rogue regimes, whose cruel methods match their
determination to crush the human spirit.”

Fellow citizens, this bill throws out legal and moral restraints as the
president deems it necessary—these are fundamental principles of basic decency,
as well as law.

I’d like those supporting this evil bill to spare me one affliction: Do
not, please, pretend to be shocked by the consequences of this legislation. And
do not pretend to be shocked when the world begins comparing us to the Nazis.

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