http://www.nytimes.com/...
A Federal Appeals court, in a surprising move, bitch-slaps BushCo over Padilla. Wowza! That THAT, you fascist pinheads!
From the article:
In denying the administration's request, the three-judge panel unanimously issued a strongly worded opinion that said the Justice Department's effort to transfer Mr. Padilla gave the appearance that the government was trying to manipulate the court system to prevent the Supreme Court from reviewing the case. The judges warned that the administration's behavior in the Padilla case could jeopardize its credibility before the courts in other terrorism cases.
These are the same judges that said that Bush could hold US citizens literally forever without trial, so they are no ACLU wannabes. Specifically:
Judge Luttig, a strong conservative judicial voice who has been considered by Mr. Bush for the Supreme Court, said the panel would not agree to the government's requests because that would compound what was "at least an appearance that the government may be attempting to avoid consideration of our decision by the Supreme Court, and also because we believe that this case presents an issue of such especial national importance as to warrant final consideration by that court."
Judge Luttig wrote that the timing of the government's decision to switch Mr. Padilla from military custody to a civilian criminal trial, just as the Supreme Court was considering the issue of the president's authority to detain him as an enemy combatant, had "given rise to at least an appearance that the purpose of these actions may be to avoid consideration of our decision by the Supreme Court."
Now, you know that if Bush were even thinking about this judge as a Supreme, the judge has to be a big fan of God and an Imperial Presidency. I especially like the part of the ruling that says, "at least an appearance that the government may be attempting to avoid consideration of our decision by the Supreme Court". Um.... yeah. May Isn't that called prevarication? As in Wallace telling Gromit, "Ah, well, it's no use prevaricating around the bush..." (http://www.amazon.com/...) Prevaricating.... Bush.... now wasn't that a bit of prescience.
To remind us all: a US citizen has been held for 3 years without bail, most of the time without an attorney and in violation of the US Constitution (and, I hate to keep bringing this up), that 'goddamned piece of paper' (Bush). As an American and a veteran, that just really sticks in my craw. REALLY sticks.
Now, it seems, the Supremes may yet be offered the opportunity to review Padilla's case. Since the court is packed with neocons now, and since ScAlito will most likely be confirmed (dare we hope not??), it's hard to imagine the court not taking a VERY activist position and saying that the Consititution doesn't matter anymore.
In the meantime though, to quote Steve Martin, I have "happy feet"!!! Today is a good day! The appeals court delivered a Mike Tyson-type roundhouse right and staggered BushCo. Can BushCo recover in time? Will the courts press their attack while BushCo is temporarily dazed? Will the courts follow up, Mike Tyson-like and bit the ear of off BushCo in a clinch? Stay tuned! Same Bat-time, same Bat-channel!
Oh, yes; I will be in a great mood all day!! Happy feet! Happy feet!
(sorry. I haven't had much to rejoice over in the news of late, so I'm a bit overwhelmed by these strange feelings - you know, happiness!)
Happy feet!