Guantanamo Bad; Patriot Act Worse

I don't know much about Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA). One thing I do know is that he is the first Senator to introduce legislation to set a time line for closing Guantanamo detention center.

What took so long? Why have Democrats had Congressional majorities for months now and nobody has gotten around to introducing a bill like this? Sure, they're busy folks, but jeez, what are aids for? Are they too busy trying to raise the minimum wage? A noble cause, for sure, but it pales a bit when compared to the fact that the US has operated the illegal facility in Guantanamo for years now. The facility casts deep shame on America by holding people without charge and torturing them. The shear existence of Guantanamo Bay has stripped the US of the its former stature int he world community. The justification for continuing to hold many of these individuals seems to be, "Well, they weren't terrorists to begin with, it seems, but now they're so pissed of at America, they probably will be now." Or even better, "We can't seem to figure out who this person is."

While I am delighted by Harkin's Bill, and I must assume it will pass, I would have been much more impressed with a Bill that repealed the Patriot Act and the Military Commissions Act. Both acts, especially the latter, are opposed by almost all Democrats and many Republicans. What's the problem, guys? Too busy changing rules for Congressional lobbyists (again, a noble cause) to bother doing something about the dismantling of core Constitutional principles and International standards of Human rights?

In closing, I'm loosing my patience with Democrats in Congress.

Oh yeah, please contact your representatives urging them to support Senator Harkin's Bill.