The title of this diary is a quote from Senator Lindsey Graham on provisions 1031 and 1032 in the defense authorization bill that redefines the battlefields our military engages in as being right outside our windows. Senator Kelly Ayotte (R-N.H.) states these provisions are necessary because “America is part of the battlefield.”
There is a very informative article on the ACLU website called Senators Demand the Military Lock Up American Citizens in a “Battlefield” They Define as Being Right Outside Your Windowdetailing the frightening implications of provision in the current defense authorization bill
While nearly all Americans head to family and friends to celebrate Thanksgiving, the Senate is gearing up for a vote on Monday or Tuesday that goes to the very heart of who we are as Americans. The Senate will be voting on a bill that will direct American military resources not at an enemy shooting at our military in a war zone, but at American citizens and other civilians far from any battlefield — even people in the United States itself.
The ramifications of this legislation are quite scary given recent police actions in regards to OWS are showing our country edging toward becoming a police state. Our police are already militarized but this bill would take things even further:
The power is so broad that even U.S. citizens could be swept up by the military and the military could be used far from any battlefield, even within the United States itself.
The White House is threatening to veto this legislation and there is provision called the Udall amendment that does away with the provisions. Below is a link to a petition on the ACLU website urging Senators to do away with provision allowing this broad new authority.
ACLU petition against provisions sections 1031 and 1032 of the Defense Authorization bill.