Nov. 28, 2001 - 18:38 MST

THE WONDERING JEW

Couldn't Do

Are we approaching a state of affairs here in the USA that we are in danger of being treated like a six year old child being ruled by a, "Whatever you are thinking of doing - - don't even think of it?" government? Jeepers, the more time goes by the more disturbed I become. I see in an article in the morning paper that , "INS can ignore release orders." According to what the article says The INS can overturn a Federal Immigration Judge's order to release people under detention for lack of evidence. Guess that the INS is to be allowed to automatically (automatically ? ? ? ?) set aside any release order given by an immgration judge in cases where the service believes an immigrant is a danger to the community or a flight risk. INS must simply file a form announcing that it plans to appeal the decision to the Board of Immigration Appeals. Furthermore if that board orders the alien released, the INS can also set aside that order under the new regulation by taking the case to the attorney general. Who is Ashcroft the mighty.

As in other recent poop being put out, some fed can say he thinks or he feels that some one no matter who might (MIGHT) be a danger to our country, even after no evidence shows that the suspicion is unfounded. Just another one of these deals that a person can be held incommunicado, unable to get a lawyer or let his family know what's up I wonder ? Regardless of other government arms of law and order say ? ?

Columnist Molly Ivins of the Creators Syndicate in her column says a few things today by saying, "Meanwhile back at the ranch," "In the middle of everything else, zinging out of nowhere, sort of like John Ashcroft's decision to prosecute Oregon doctors, comes an EXECUTIVE order from President Bush holding off access to Ronald Regan's presidential papers." "The law says most presidential papers are to be opened five years after a president leaves office, and all but the most sensitive documents are to be opened after twelve years." She goes on to say, "Both national security and personal privacy are protected by the law. Bush just ignored the law and issued an order giving himself and future presidents the power to withhold documents, even if the former leaders want them released." Makes me wonder just what is in ex-President Regan's papers that are a threat to our national security? Furthermore, the order says Americans will have to demonstrate a - specific need - to see the papers." Specific need - to be deteremined by the top dog ? ? ? ? And Molly goes on to say," Is the right to know what our own government has done with our money, our soldiers' blood and in our name a "specific need"?

Then comes her final paragraphs. "If you are wondering why civil libertarians are upset about Bush's order on military tribunals, since it only applies to non-citizens. TRY READING THE THING. It applies to those we have "reason to believe" (but we don't have to produce any evidence) have committed acts of terrorism - or aided, abetted or conspired to commit acts - "that have caused or threatens to cause injuries or adverse effects on the US, its citizens, its national secrity, foreign policy, or economy." She says, "Broad enough for you ?"

Molly winds up her column thusly, "That qualifies everyone from French farmers mad at McDonald's to Roman pickpockets. We already see the unhappy results, as Spain is now refusing to turn over eight suspected terrorists they arrested because they don't think they can get a fair trial here. Don't put away your worry beads yet."

So, when I froth and foam at the mouth and say that we are threatened to be relived of our civil rights because some doodad of a Fed points the finger and says, "I have reason to suspect," that he is a Democrat or maybe using a lie of his own devising, and jails us - no lawyer - secret military tribunal - death. Shouldn't I froth a bit? Or will Molly and I be tried by the secret tribunal separately or together ?

I begin to wonder if aren't in danger of being in the first Empire of Bush - - something that I feel Nixon tried for and Couldn't Do . . . . . . . .

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