Obama Waives Rule Allowing Indefinite Detention

[Tx4obama]

Last edited Wed Feb 29, 2012, 02:01 AM - Edit history (1)

The Official White House NDAA Fact Sheet here: http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/ndaa_fact_sheet.pdf


Presidential Policy Directive -- Requirements of the National Defense Authorization Act
http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2012/02/28/presidential-policy-directive-requirements-national-defense-authorizatio



Obama Waives Rule Allowing Indefinite Detention

WASHINGTON -- The White House released rules Tuesday evening waiving the most controversial piece of the new military detention law, and exempting U.S. citizens, as well as other broad categories of suspected terrorists.

Indefinite military detention of Americans and others was granted in the defense authorization bill President Barack Obama signed just before Christmas, sparking a storm of anger from civil libertarians on the left and right.

The new rules -- which deal with Section 1022 of the law -- are aimed at soothing many of their gravest concerns, an administration official said. Those concerns are led by the possibility that a law that grants the president authority to jail Americans without trial in Guantanamo Bay based on secret evidence could easily be abused.

"It is important to recognize that the scope of the new law is limited," says a fact sheet released by the White House, focusing on that worry. "Section 1022 does not apply to U.S. citizens, and the President has decided to waive its application to lawful permanent residents arrested in the United States."

... <SNIP> ...

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/02/28/indefinite-military-deten_n_1308129.html?ref=politics

[TheWraith]

1. Less "waiving" than "taking official notice."

The fact is, a simple reading of the revised section 1022 shows it does not apply to US citizens. Although it's good that Obama is making a point of highlighting that, so that people who were freaking out can stop.

[MannyGoldstein]

2. And what about Section 1021, the one that *does* apply to US citizens?

Great stuff. Great stuff.

[TheWraith]

3. No, it does not apply to US citizens.

You might try reading. From Wikipedia, concerning section 1021.

The final version of the bill also provides, in sub-section(e), that "Nothing in this section shall be construed to affect existing law or authorities relating to the detention of United States citizens, lawful resident aliens of the United States, or any other persons who are captured or arrested in the United States." As reflected in Senate debate over the bill, there is a great deal of controversy over the status of existing law.[14]