U.S. constitution is not (yet) dead

Huh. The headline of this news article could have been better selected. When you state "Supreme Court ruling cripples Guantanamo trials" it somewhat sounds like a bad thing. Turns out, it's not. Turns out even accused terrorists have rights the same as the rest of us.

Here's a quote from the article:

The Supreme Court's liberal justices were in the majority, with Justice Anthony Kennedy pivotal. Writing for the court, he said: "The laws and Constitution are designed to survive, and remain in force, in extraordinary times."

Of course he's not the first person to say something like this. I remember I blogged some time ago about the need to keep our constitution intact especially in uncertain times. Freedom is not easy, and our freedoms are not just for the "good times" or the "easy times." They are perhaps the most critical when things are dicey.

Admittedly the 1943 Supreme Court opinion concerned compulsory recitation of the pledge of allegiance, but it touched upon the value of constitutional protections, even for unpopular ideas or unpopular people.

Whether you believe these are tough times, or not, I cannot imagine suspending any of our basic protections under law for any reason. And I still say let's try these accused terrorists as criminals, and if convicted I have no compunction about extending all due punishments to them. In the meantime, we have to treat them the same as we would treat any serial killer.

Sad thing is that the Court's liberal contingent sided together on this decision, thus giving the neocon wingnuts ammunition to bleat yet again that "liberals are killing this country," when it appears exactly the opposite is happening.

If believing in my constitutional rights makes me a liberal, then so be it.