Dear Congressman Deutch, Yesterday, February 18, 2013, on the federally recognized celebration of George Washington’s Birthday, I attended a Town Hall Meeting at the Duncan Theatre at Palm Beach State College in Lake Worth, Florida. You, along with five other panelists were there to answer some pre-planned questions, along with a few questions from the citizens. I was one of those people who asked the panel a question. This is what I asked: “Congressman Deutch recently voted for, and President Obama signed into law, the National Defense Authorization Act of 2012, which contains language that allows for the indefinite detention of American citizens, without charge or trial. Do you believe that the right to essentially kidnap its citizens is a proper power for the Federal government and the Executive to have?” You first responded by mentioning that you and I have spoken before, a reference to a meeting you and I had a few weeks earlier in your district office. I am not sure if that was meant to imply that the issue was already “settled” but let me assure you it is not. I will continue to speak out and reach out to you and other elected public servants, as the most damaging parts of the indefinite detention clause are still in effect and are being actively defended by the current administration. This comes even after U.S. District Judge Katherine Forrest ruled the indefinite detention provisions of the NDAA unconstitutional. Your further response to my Town Hall question, as I interpreted it, was your belief that a “yes” vote on the NDAA, a defense spending bill, was necessary. You mentioned certain threats from Iran and also the idea that a “no” vote would be detrimental to national security because it would not allow for our military to be funded. Let me stress this: I am not your enemy here. I find it disgraceful that such a dangerous and traitorous clause was placed in a spending bill that authorizes the funding for our military. As I see it, this essentially equates to a sneaky override of the citizens’ natural rights of due process, and proper charge and trial. To put our elected leaders in the position to sacrifice the Bill of Rights, or else to be seen as obstructing military funding is obscene. Why should we even have a Constitutional amendment process, if we can just legislate away our rights through spending bills? Though I understand the justification for your vote, I do not buy into the premise that voting for a spending bill that rids the people of due process is the right and proper thing to do. When one swears an oath to defend the Constitution, that is exactly what I expect you to do, regardless of political pressure or military-industrial complex hostage tactics. I also find the justification for your (and others’) vote on NDAA entirely hypocritical. If we are to fully support the troops so they can fight for our freedoms, what is the point if, in order to fund them, we must trade essential liberties here at home? Though often seen in various forms, I think the point of Benjamin Franklin’s famous quote is wise and very pertinent: “Those who give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety.” As for another point of hypocrisy I could not let it go unsaid that, the purported reason for the indefinite detention clause was to stop Al-Qaeda and their affiliates and those who provide material support to such groups. I ask you then, Congressman Deutch, at what point will the Federal government start detaining itself indefinitely under the NDAA? There are many reports and much speculation that our own government is often seen materially supporting, training and working with Al-Qaeda and its extremist affiliates across the globe. I assure you that I will not be silent and allow my elected leaders to actively vote away the citizens’ natural rights that are simply enumerated by the Bill of Rights and Constitution. I heard you and the other panelists talk a lot about “public engagement” and “getting out and participating in the democratic process”. I certainly agree with you and hope more and more of my fellow citizens will join me and speaking out against things like the NDAA and the growing police state. I will continue to call, visit your office, engage others, and ask these questions publicly. This is certainly not for me, but for my fellow citizens, and for you and other elected public servants. There is no excuse for remaining silent, and I urge you to join me, Congressman Deutch, in speaking out and taking action against government usurpation of our rights. Respectfully yours in defense of the Republic,
Posted on: Mon, 08 Jul 2013 01:02:00 +0000
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