The End of 'Unalienable Rights'

[RBHam]

The End of 'Unalienable Rights'
Robert Parry, Consortium News

Every American school child is taught that in the United States, people have “unalienable rights,” heralded by the Declaration of Independence and enshrined in the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights. Supposedly, these liberties can’t be taken away, but they are now gone.

Today, Americans have rights only at George W. Bush’s forbearance. Under new legal theories – propounded by Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito and other right-wing jurists – Bush effectively holds all power over all Americans.

He can spy on anyone he wants without a court order; he can throw anyone into jail without due process; he can order torture or other degrading treatment regardless of a new law enacted a month ago; he can launch wars without congressional approval; he can assassinate people whom he deems to be the enemy even if he knows that innocent people, including children, will die, too.

Under the new theories, Bush can act both domestically and internationally. His powers know no bounds and no boundaries.

Bush has made this radical change in the American political system by combining what his legal advisers call the “plenary” – or unlimited – powers of the Commander in Chief with the concept of a “unitary executive” in control of all laws and regulations.

more...
http://www.consortiumnews.com/2006/012406.html

[JuniperLea]

1. Absolute power corrupts absolutely

Fortunately, history shows these guys go down. Unfortunately, they usually go down after much pain and suffering by the people who are trying to rid themselves of the evil one.

[OneBlueSky]

2. not to pick nits, but I always thought it was "INalienable" . . .

rights, not UNalienable . . . anyone? . . .

[DrDebug]

4. Both are correct, but there is a slight difference

"Unalienable: incapable of being alienated, that is, sold and transferred." Black's Law Dictionary, Sixth Edition, page 1523

You can not surrender, sell or transfer unalienable rights, they are a gift from the creator to the individual and can not under any circumstances be surrendered or taken. All individual's have unalienable rights.

Inalienable rights: Rights which are not capable of being surrendered or transferred without the consent of the one possessing such rights.

You can surrender, sell or transfer inalienable rights if you consent either actually or constructively. Inalienable rights are not inherent in man and can be alienated by government. Persons have inalienable rights. Most state constitutions recognize only inalienable rights.

http://www.gemworld.com/USA-Unalienable.htm

[libodem]

3. Osama gets his prayers answered

We have our inalienable rights destroyed. It's going over the top with the Gestapo tactics.