There are three stories, each one of which has profound implications for Constitutionalists and those of us who still hold to the Bill of Rights and other traditions of the American system of government which hold our rapt attention today; partly because of the "window" the web bot project has outlined for this coming weekend, and partly because the hold so much potential for abuse of power.  Here's the summary - the details follow:

·       George Bush has signed a law eliminating the right of habeas corpus  for unlawful enemy combatants. 

·         Your free use of the internet is in the gunsights of DHS's Michael Chertoff.

·         DHS is moving toward a system that would require government permission to travel outside the United States.

Let's start at the top, shall we?  Yesterday George Bush signed a law that says the right of habeas corpus doesn't apply to "unlawful enemy combatants."  The "sales pitch" that accompanies this is you (as a presumably good American) don't have to worry because you're not an "enemy combatant."  While today that means supporting various al Qaida groups, there's nothing in the law that says supporting the Democratic Party couldn't qualify you in the future, depending on the whim of the Decider and disciples. Most stories seem to promote the idea that the law will be struck down - at least partially - by the US Supreme court.  But given the makeup of the High Court (think ducking hunting buddy of the VP, for example) I wouldn't be holding my breath for any major change.

It could be argued that "enemy combatants" shouldn't have the same rights as Americans, the difficulty becomes who is to decide the enemy combatant issue?  It's not like something that is decided in an open-to-appeal legal process with judicial oversight.  Because of this, I'd point out there's potential for abuse. Especially if you're one of those "terrorist supporting democrats."  Remember, we've already been told: "If you're not with us, you're against us."

Second item:  For years, I have been warning that at some point -- should the internet become too powerful a force to control, the government would step up and curtail the free and easy access to the internet.  Fast forward to today:  DHS boss Michael Chertoff is claiming that "We now have a capability of someone to radicalize themselves over the Internet."  To me, it sounds like some kind of groundwork being laid for a future move against the internet.

Papers please:  You may not read Edward Hasbrouck's blog often, but his report this week on the government's plans to require permission to leave the USA for travel is among the most frightening things I've seen in a long time.  What's coming he figures is a:

"Conversion of the Advance Passenger Information system (API or APIS) for international ship and plane travel into an advance permission system."

How would you like to live in a country where government permission is required in advance to visit a foreign country?  Well, that's now on the horizon - and starting January 8th of 2007 - two and a half months from now - you will need a US passport to re-enter America if you travel by air - and as Hasbrouck reminds us, permission to exit is the next step.

__._,_.___