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Dec-15-2011 17:35printcomments

Say Good Bye to the America You Knew, Obama Signed the Defense Bill

It is slightly mellowed, but the rights of Americans have been radically compromised by the new defense bill.

America's corporate president signs the defense bill that he said initially he would veto.
America's corporate president signs the defense bill that he said initially he would veto.

(SALEM) - Critical attention has been focused on the National Defense Authorization Act; a controversial provision allowing for the indefinite detention of U.S. citizens. Obama alluded to being willing to veto the bill, but instead, after revisions, he did the unthinkable, signing it into law, and as a result we no longer have our civil rights or the ability to challenge our government without fear of this reprisal.

The $662 billion package does include a pay raise for the military, however overdue that already may be, there is no question that was used as a tool to gain passage of this sweeping legislation that will result in Americans disappearing like the people in the Middle east sent to Guantanamo Bay.

Make no mistake in understanding this, Obama has effectively declared the first step in the implementation of martial law. It is all a response to the Occupy movement which openly challenges the corruption of the U.S. federal government and its corporate and banking support web.

The LA Times wrote:

The final compromise mandates that terrorism suspects thought to have ties to Al Qaeda and planning attacks against the United States be taken into military custody, even those captured in the U.S. In response to some complaints, though, the bill carves out an exemption for U.S. citizens and legal permanent residents.

From Portland Activist Michael Munk

Now that Obama dropped what turns out to have been a phony threat to veto the War spending bill, he will own it when he signs it.

The opposition picked up six more Senators since its first vote, mainly conservatives. Oregon's Senators Wyden and Merkley remained opposed, and Idaho's conservatives (Risch and Crapo) joined them.

The 13 are:

Liberals

Wyden (D-OR)
Merkley (D-OR)
Durbin (D-IL)
Franken (D- MN)
Harkin (D- IA)
Cardin (D-MD)
Sanders (I-VT)

Conservatives

Coburn (R-OK)
Crapo (R-ID)
DeMint (R-SC)
Lee (R-UT)
Paul (R-KY)
Risch (R-ID)

According to the recently updated information on Wikipedia:

The 2012 bill includes language in Section 1032 stating the intent is not to change existing common law, such as Hamdi v. Rumsfeld and Hamdan v. Rumsfeld, which ruled that lawful United States citizens have the right to challenge their detention before an impartial judge and military commissions (such as those at Guantanamo Bay) lack the power to proceed, respectively. Citizens of the United States are statutorily excluded only from the "requirement for military custody" in Section 1032, which provides the executive branch discretion whether to indefinitely detain U.S. citizens within military detention centers, or alternatively in the Federal prison system.

Oregon Senator Jeff Merkley issued a statement on the signing of the National Defense Authorization Act:

The most bedrock principle of our government, one that our nation was founded on, is that it protects the freedom and liberty of our citizens. On this critical measure, the Defense Authorization bill falls short. Instead, it allows the government to circumvent a host of our citizens’ constitutional rights ranging from due process to public and speedy trials.

This step takes us in a very dangerous direction and undermines the freedoms enshrined in our founding documents. While I support much of the Defense Authorization bill and the programs that support our troops and our security, I cannot support a bill that strikes at the heart of our constitutional protections.

The Senate bill passed with 93 'yea' votes to 7 'nay'. On 14 December 2011, it was passed by the US House of Representatives vote with 283–136 in favor. On December 15, 2011, the bill was passed by the United States Senate, with a 86–13 vote in favor. (see the full text of the bill: 112th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 1867)

There are no words to describe this descending pattern that proves for the final time, that the problems facing this country are not a matter of right or left, even if there are defined and profound differences, which obviously do exist. The fact remains that neither of the two parties comprising the present system are part of any future answer.

Interestingly, there is a new party that addresses all of the right things, and it is called the Canary Party. After a long conversation this week with a top representative for this new political party, I can conclude that they are the only hope that we have, their goals are oriented around all of the important things, and they seek to fix what is broken.

_________________________________________________________
Tim King: Salem-News.com Editor and Writer

Tim King has more than twenty years of experience on the west coast as a television news producer, photojournalist, reporter and assignment editor. In addition to his role as a war correspondent, this Los Angeles native serves as Salem-News.com's Executive News Editor. Tim spent the winter of 2006/07 covering the war in Afghanistan, and he was in Iraq over the summer of 2008, reporting from the war while embedded with both the U.S. Army and the Marines. Tim is a former U.S. Marine.

Tim holds awards for reporting, photography, writing and editing, including the Silver Spoke Award by the National Coalition of Motorcyclists (2011), Excellence in Journalism Award by the Oregon Confederation of Motorcycle Clubs (2010), Oregon AP Award for Spot News Photographer of the Year (2004), First-place Electronic Media Award in Spot News, Las Vegas, (1998), Oregon AP Cooperation Award (1991); and several others including the 2005 Red Cross Good Neighborhood Award for reporting. Tim has several years of experience in network affiliate news TV stations, having worked as a reporter and photographer at NBC, ABC and FOX stations in Arizona, Nevada and Oregon. Tim was a member of the National Press Photographer's Association for several years and is a current member of the Orange County Press Club.

Serving the community in very real terms, Salem-News.com is the nation's only truly independent high traffic news Website. As News Editor, Tim among other things, is responsible for publishing the original content of 91 Salem-News.com writers. He reminds viewers that emails are easily missed and urges those trying to reach him, to please send a second email if the first goes unanswered. You can write to Tim at this address: newsroom@salem-news.com




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January 1, 2012 9:21 pm (Pacific time)

I am a citizen of these united states,  not a "United States Citizen", never even been to distirct of columbia let alone born there. Lower case letters: the 50 states, upper case referers to D.C. area, not a state, doesn't affect me. Like Al Gore, born in D.C., .not eligible to be president because he's not a state citizen but would qualify for this law if it's legal.


Rachael December 21, 2011 7:33 am (Pacific time)

There will eventually be a one world order where one ruler will rule the world so to speak. He will claim to be peacful and eventually he will claim to be the messiah who will decieve many. It doesn't matter where you move to...the whole world will be apart of a one world order. You won't beable to buy or sell unless you pledge your allegiance to the guy who is going to rule. You will have to have a mark on your forehead or your left hand. I am thinking eventually we will be forced to have a computer chip inserted in our hand or forehead for identification reasons. It will sound good at first..they will make it sound good to find missing kids, criminals, etc. They will scan your hand instead of you having to use a credit card etc. It will be like our animals in the shelter have in thier skin. A tracking device I think will also apply. I think this world is just going to get worse so we all need to gaurd our hearts and our minds. We all need to turn to Jesus Christ the only one who can save us in the end. I know that sounds out there but just as the days of noah and the arc will be the days that are to come. No one will know the day or the hour but Jesus is comming soon. Will you be ready? Got Jesus?


Melissa December 19, 2011 7:40 pm (Pacific time)

It's always a good idea to go directly to the original source. Go to this website for a PDF of the act: http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/BILLS-112s1867es/pdf/BILLS-112s1867es.pdf. Read section 1032, beginning on page 428. On page 430 you will read a section entitled Applicability to U.S. Citizens and Lawful Resident Aliens which states "The requirement to detain a person in military custody under this section does not extend to citizens of the United States".

Editor: Melissa, there is a link to the bill in the article, and don't think U.S. citizens are exempt, they are not.  Anyone deemed a terrorist is subject to this, and with the widening description the government uses with regard to that word, we are all potentially in real trouble.  


Anonymous December 19, 2011 10:51 am (Pacific time)

Blame corporations, blame the president, blame whoever you want but the fact remains that the banks and the corporations are empowered by US. You think big oil is going to care about the negative opinions of the masses while their pockets are still being filled with cash? I'll bet a large portion of the ones complaining are STILL using gasoline for their cars, still buying oil for their cars and still driving their cars on a regular basis. You wanna fight major corporations? Get a bike, stop using oil, walk, run, do whatever it takes. As long as big business is still being impowered with cash, they will continue to do what it takes to keep it that way. I might be missing the point of the national defense bill here, but how can you expect change when you do everything the same? Complaining about it and throwing up signs to voice your opinion are NOT EFFECTIVE in this day and age.


Pete Braun December 18, 2011 10:52 pm (Pacific time)

Good luck getting re-elected now, Obama! Thanks to you, we are now one step closer to becoming a police state run by a dictator. If this is how it's gonna be, I'd just as soon get out of the country for the indefinite future.


John December 18, 2011 7:09 pm (Pacific time)

Everyone should search YouTube for: Makana - WE ARE THE MANY!! And then; Charlie Chaplin - Greatest speech ever. Occupy is global, this is bigger then one person or one country. This is about the entire globe, the global population is manipulated and ruled by 1% - 5% of the total population. Corporations, Governments, The UN, are all puppets to the global banks.. The banks have poisioned mankind against one another threw propaganda, threw their puppet corporate media networks; who fed the public masses bullshit and lies.. The veil is starting to lift and we must step up now or we'll have nothing to stand for!.. this is just the start.. 2012 is upon us..


Anonymous December 18, 2011 4:22 pm (Pacific time)

Democracy, the bill, constitution, what ever the problem is THE SYSTEM it self, the system is the problem and once we a dress the system them all of the mechanations the system uses to in slave humanity will be laid bare and can be easly changed. The main system is head of the snake this is a problem in its self where it is absolutly the head of the snake, its is the main mechanism that is been put into place to control people, and that is what should be felt with first off all, the whole world needs to go on strike for one day and say enough is enough we can change things over night. And them we have the futher problem that comes from the police those very people that we have been tought and trained to be live they are there for public safety, look at the eviction of ocupied wall street to realise nothing could be futher from the truth, becouse it was a peace full ocupation of caring people who wish to bring genuine change and freedom corporat coruption, and what did we see from the police? Violence and terrorism in order to defend that very same coruption, and this is were one of the batlles lies dealing with the modern mentality of modern police, they have been trained to in force there own slavery and even worse they have been trained to carry out there own acts of terrorism against anyone whom should chalenge it.


Ron December 18, 2011 3:16 pm (Pacific time)

Oh please....people say he cant get nothing right..give him a break people...ugh.. Disgusting!


Anonymous December 18, 2011 2:17 pm (Pacific time)

The only way to stop the government is to get up off our chairs and protest all together all at once, and show them our non complience ..is the only way, this earth belongs to us all, have your say freedom is the way


WVa Hill billy December 18, 2011 11:59 am (Pacific time)

You ignorant if you think one man made this law. Washington is corrupt with lobbyists(old news). The president does not make laws,congress does. If anyone should be ran out of Washington, it should be congress, because the president is powerless without their cooperation. A new party is just gonna be another party to work against every other party. Congressmen and women should have a limit on their term just like the president. Corruption and greed is our political downfall. We are prisoners of a political dictatorship,which "we the people" have to overcome. Voting republicans into congress was the worst mistake we've made in this era of disgusting government. I say throw them ALL out of Washington and start over. WE THE PEOPLE CAN MAKE THAT HAPPEN!!


Sam December 18, 2011 8:40 am (Pacific time)

if all this is saying is true then 2 huge powers will abolish the bill in a while. Judicial Review and Checks and Balances. I'm i n 8th grade and i already know a lot about this crap.(and for all of U people that will be predigest aginst my age just remember ht wont help any one

Editor: Thanks for dropping by Sam, a person is never too young to engage in this 'crap', good work.


Anonymous December 18, 2011 6:14 am (Pacific time)

I do love how you had to use Wiki as a source of reference... I've only been writing 2 years and i still know how unreliable it is.

Editor: Well I've been writing for almost 40 years, 23 years professionally, and sources are sources.  Nothing in this world is perfect.  Wikipedia is subject to manipulation but not with regard to serious items like this; it is the world's online encyclopedia and there is plenty of reason to take faith in the majority of information posted there.  There are few times that they don't have the facts.  Here's a clue, if you have this much attitude and think so much of yourself in such a short time, then you probably are about ready for a serious self-evaluation.    


N/A December 17, 2011 9:59 pm (Pacific time)

so united states is what? so I live in this free states for about 25 years and all the suddenly things change. I got a question. Why is we call the United states of America? Why we call the freedom state? if so, we need to change our name to the not united states of america


M.Kazim December 17, 2011 4:41 pm (Pacific time)

In the name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful (83:1-14) Woe to those who give short weight, Who, when they take by measure from others, take it fully, And when they measure or weigh for them, they give them less than what is due.Do they not think that they will be raised up again On a Great Day? The Day when all mankind shall stand before the Lord of the worlds. Indeed not! Surely the records of the wicked are in the Prison Register And what do you know what the Prison Register is? It is a written book. Woe on that Day to the beliers, Who belie the Day of Recompense, And none belies it but every sinful transgressor. When Our Revelations are recited to him, he says: "These are tales of the ancient times." By no means! But the fact is that their evil deeds have stained their hearts.


Mukarram.Kazim December 17, 2011 4:37 pm (Pacific time)

In the name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful (83:1) Woe to those who give short weight, Who, when they take by measure from others, take it fully, And when they measure or weigh for them, they give them less than what is due. Do they not think that they will be raised up again On a Great Day? The Day when all mankind shall stand before the Lord of the worlds. Indeed not! Surely the records of the wicked are in the Prison Register And what do you know what the Prison Register is? It is a written book. Woe on that Day to the beliers, Who belie the Day of Recompense, And none belies it but every sinful transgressor. When Our Revelations are recited to him, he says: "These are tales of the ancient times." By no means! But the fact is that their evil deeds have stained their hearts. By no means! Surely on that Day they shall be debarred from their Lord's vision


Anonymous December 17, 2011 4:08 pm (Pacific time)

War on terror my ass, obama has appointed him self as the worlds peac keeper that gives him the right to your freedom... Do nothing and you can kiss your freedom goodbye. Its allready starting to take affect NZ and once aproved you will no longer be lowed to grow your own food and if thats not enough for you sharing it with your neighbour will see you on prison so sit there and fidle your thumbs and do nothing as you do.... Till its to late


enness December 17, 2011 12:45 pm (Pacific time)

Mikey, "intention" is a very nebulous term.


Daniel December 17, 2011 9:28 am (Pacific time)

On a practical level I see little difference then what has been going on for years . Jose Padilla , Johnny Walker Lynn , Bradley Manning to name a few , and those are the high profile guys we even hear about . Face it if power wants someone to disappear or be neutralized they will , nothing new here . Think of all the JFK witnesses who disappeared , think 911 . Think the war on drugs . We built up numerous prisons over the last 30 years and have filled them up ! During the Viet Nam era they arrested many protesters over planted drugs . Those higher on the list were killed while " RESISTING " . First they came for the pot users and I did not say anything because of just say no .


Ralph E. Stone December 17, 2011 7:50 am (Pacific time)

We will have to see how the new law is applied. Ultimately, the law will probably be challenged as unconstitutional, but then anything can happen with the present Supreme Court.


georgia December 17, 2011 6:52 am (Pacific time)

I started saying goodbye to this country when I finally realized the illegal aliens were being given carte blanche to invade this country

Editor: Is that the name of those mountains through Mexico where the people keep dying of thirst?


ELLA C. December 17, 2011 6:30 am (Pacific time)

CAN SOMEONE PLEASE EXPLAIN WHATS GOING ON??!!! FOR THOSE LIKE MYSELF WHO KNOWS NOTHING ABOUT POLITICS, OR SIMPLE HAVE GIVEN UP ON IT... IN "INGLISH" TERMS, WHATS GOING ON????????/


Man December 17, 2011 6:17 am (Pacific time)

Where's my say on this? I demand a vote. Why should one man sign?


Donna December 17, 2011 4:42 am (Pacific time)

Woonderful country the U.S. is. I can't wait to leave. Corporate criminals good, anyone who dares disagree with the government bad. Thank you, Bush and Cheney, for creating this mess. And shame on Obama!


Brian December 16, 2011 10:19 pm (Pacific time)

Read between the lines. The bill is written in such away to interpretation. One world government, one central bank will be coming soon. The burden of Damascus. Behold, Damascus is taken away from [being] a city, and it shall be a ruinous heap. Isaiah 17:1. If this happens, this will be the beginning to an end. Syria is surrounded by the U.S., Russia etc. We will see.


ThoughtfulCanadian December 16, 2011 9:51 pm (Pacific time)

Kick everyone out except for those who voted against it. 6 Dems, 6 R's, and 1 independent. Almost Poetic.


Hopeless December 16, 2011 9:00 pm (Pacific time)

Well, that's it then. Good bye freedom, good bye everything America claims to have stood for. Great job.


Mikey Riot December 16, 2011 8:58 pm (Pacific time)

I skimmed over the bill and read the main section 1031 and section 1032. It only states that militaryt action will only take place for those who commit an act of terrorism or has the intensions to commit it and those who follow al quida! so i dont see what the major fuss is over. the military gets a raise so they can maintane themselves to fight and defend this country no ones right s are being harmed.

Tim King: I'd say it is the government's tendency to brand its opponents as terrorists, for starters.  This has happened all over the world and one group that stands a chance of losing rights, are motorcycle clubs.  Some have members who have committed crime in the past, but the groups themselves are labeled and being set up to lose their fundamental rights.  You know that famous saying, "First they came for the communists..."   I'm afraid that is the best example I can offer. 

Those who are complacent in this broken society have a harder time comprehending it, people of faith are like that and most of the time it is a good attribute, but it can lead us into harm's way.  My advice, to everyone, look into the new Canary Party.  I don't typically endorse political groups, however this one looks like the answer, and the only answer.  


Capt Ralph December 16, 2011 8:41 pm (Pacific time)

What in the world ever happened to the concept of democracy? We used to look to the US for idealistic democracy. Now where to we look?


FatYogi December 16, 2011 8:37 pm (Pacific time)

He hasn't signed it yet


Kelly Sweeney December 16, 2011 8:30 pm (Pacific time)

Tim King: Thank you Kelly for citing my awkward spelling error, too much police chase writing I guess, my debt to you.


Hubcap December 16, 2011 5:26 pm (Pacific time)

The Section 1032 needs to be resubmitted so that American Citizens are in no way included in this treatment by our officials.


Nailer45 December 16, 2011 3:14 pm (Pacific time)

Is this TRUE as I can not confirm it with any other news sources or searches.


J+ December 16, 2011 3:01 pm (Pacific time)

Glad our Senators at least stood up for the Constitution .. I guess Oregon is one of the few states that still recognizes it.

Per Al Jazeera, "The bill defines the world - the entire world - as a war zone, meaning that anyone can be detained anywhere in the world and they can be said to be on the battlefield of the "war on terror"."

If true, that means every person can now operate under war-time, not peace-time, authority/conduct.

As I oppose the War on Terror as Unconstitional, I guess that means I am a subject of said War; thus eligible for indefinite detention; thus I shall treat those who pursue me as lawful, wartime enemies.
I am sure this will hold up in court fine when I use it as a defense.


Reverend Donoghue December 16, 2011 8:41 am (Pacific time)

Meanwhile the biggest corporate criminals in history go unpunished, and are allowed to continue to reap obscene profits with their predatory practices. We have seen the "low" of where "democracy" can go. Let's hope that 2012 brings some new hope.

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