R. Jeffery Smith had an article in the Washington Post on August 3 about Senate hearings on legislation to make the Administration's illegal military tribunals (now called "commissions") legal with expanded powers to detain:
1) People with no direct connection to international terrorism
2) The Secretary of Defense can create crimes to put under the commission's jurisdiction
With the smokescreen of terrorism in the air again, and the determination of the Republican majority to slash and burn with legislation before being put out of power by the elections this fall, this bill should be watched closely by all citizens. The Administration is attempting to legitimize their position and strengthen it, in keeping with their past behavior: but now the stakes are higher than ever.
Keep an eye on the back door while they raise our hackles at the front. These people are desperate to stay in power, and to expand the power they have at every opportunity.