Glenn Greenwald: Susan Collins spreads central myth about the Constitution

[babylonsister]

Susan Collins spreads central myth about the Constitution
By Glenn Greenwald


Over the weekend, Sen. Susan Collins released a five-minute video in which she sounded as though she were possessed by the angriest, most unhinged version of Dick Cheney. Collins recklessly accused the Obama administration of putting us all in serious danger by failing to wage War against the Terrorists. Most of what she said was just standard right-wing boilerplate, but there was one claim in particular that deserves serious attention, as it has become one of the most pervasive myths in our political discourse: namely, that the U.S. Constitution protects only American citizens, and not any dreaded foreigners. Focusing on the DOJ's decision to charge the alleged attempted Christmas Day bomber with crimes, Mirandize him and provide him with counsel, Collins railed: "Once afforded the protection our Constitution guarantees American citizens, this foreign terrorist 'lawyered up' and stopped talking" (h/t). This notion that the protections of the Bill of Rights specifically and the Constitution generally apply only to the Government's treatment of American citizens is blatantly, undeniably false -- for multiple reasons -- yet this myth is growing, as a result of being centrally featured in "War on Terror" propaganda.

more...

http://www.salon.com/news/susan_m_collins/index.html?story=/opinion/greenwald/2010/02/01/collins

[Joanne98]

1. She hangs around with Lieberman too much!

[GreenPartyVoter]

2. *sigh* Some days I really hate having her as my senator.

[peacefreak]

3. Only some days?

I'm right there with you. At least I know she never gets my vote. She really is quackers.

[GreenPartyVoter]

4. Well, some days I hate her being Senator more than others. LOL

[Hydra]

5. Yeah, I've been watching this

The constant war on that "Goddamn piece of paper."

I think it's funny how deep selective enforcement is getting ingrained in our country. Everyone wants their rights, but wants everyone else's taken away.

Everyone know how that game ends?

[Nite Owl]

6. If foreign corporations can

partake in elections and legislation then is it not the right of a foreigner to use our court system too? Just following their logic.

[COLGATE4]

7. Nothing more than the expected

Rethug pap universal answer to anything they don't like - make up the facts. Collins, for all she is a somewhat more moderate Rethug is still a Rethug part and parcel, and I suspect she really isn't too bright either, so it's very easy for others of the poisonous brotherhood to whisper in her ear and convince her that all would be well if we had only hauled Crotchfire off to Gitmo and waterboarded his ass. What's unnerving is that with the profound ignorance prevalent today about the rights guaranteed under our Constitution, many others will believe this drivel lock stock and barrel.