The effects of government-sponsored deception and terror are starting to affect me personally now.

The Military Commissions Act that was passed by congress yesterday, and which is about to be passed—without ammendment—by the Senate today or tomorrow will strip me of what I thought were inalienable rights to me in this country, the United States of America. In the words of Senator Patrick Leahy, who tried valiantly to strike out the offending section 7:

Imagine that you are a law-abiding, lawful permanent resident. In your spare time, you do charitable fundraising for international relief agencies that lend a hand in disasters. You send money abroad to those in need. You are selective in the charities you support, but you do not discriminate on grounds of religion. Then one day there is a knock on your door. The Government thinks that the Muslim charity you sent money to may be funneling money to terrorists, and it thinks you may be involved. And perhaps an overzealous neighbor who saw a group of Muslims come to your house has reported “suspicious behavior.” You are brought in for questioning.

Initially, you are not too worried. This is America, you are innocent, and you have faith in American justice. You know your rights, and you ask for a lawyer. But no lawyer comes. Once again, since you know your rights, you refuse to answer further questions. Then the interrogators get angry. Then comes solitary confinement, then fierce dogs, then freezing cold that induces hypothermia, then waterboarding, then threats of being sent to a country famous for its torture techniques, then Guantanamo. And then nothing, for years, for decades, for the rest of your life.

This is the New America. I am a “law-abiding, lawful permanent resident” of the United States. Do you suspect me of being a terrorist? If so, your inalienable rights are better than my inalienable rights—the law still upholds yours.

Have you noticed the decline in academic freedom since September 11th, 2001? Have you observed that America exhibits or is beginning to exhibit the historical 14 characteristics of fascist states? Is it really possible we’re becoming a fascist state?

Certainly.

Update: Here’s an opinion article published in the New York Times that brings the dangers of this bill in to the light, point by point. In addition, there is an article in the Washington Post about a Canadian who was whisked away and tortured by the CIA in secret off-shore prisons. He was later able to prove his innocence in Canada.

Update #2: Another article from a progressive newspaper, Habeas Corpus, R.I.P. (1215 - 2006).