talkpolitics | (no subject)

If you haven't heard, New York was under attack by an idiot. As opposed to past idiots, this idiot happens to not only be brown and born in Pakistan, but is also an American citizen. This last bit introduces hoops that our proud lawmakers must jump through to maintain their integrity on terrorism:

“Obviously that would be a serious mistake until all the information is gathered,” John McCain said when asked whether the suspect, Faisal Shahzad, should have been Mirandized.

“What I was talking about was that we don’t have to Mirandize someone immediately. You don’t – before you charge them, there’s time that elapses,” McCain later clarified to POLITICO.

“I hope that [Attorney General Eric] Holder did discuss this with the intelligence community. If they believe they got enough from him, how much more should they get? Did they Mirandize him? I know he’s an American citizen but still,” Peter King (R-NY) told POLITICO.

Joe Lieberman has another idea: "I think it’s time for us to look at whether we want to amend that law to apply it to American citizens who choose to become affiliated with foreign terrorist organizations, whether they should not also be deprived automatically of their citizenship, and therefore be deprived of rights that come with that citizenship when they are apprehended and charged with a terrorist act."

Apparently he thinks domestic terrorist organizations should get a free pass.

So, aren't these the guys who keep harping on restricting the amount of power the federal government has over its citizens? They've previously tried to claim these powers only over unlawful combatants, but if they can invent a charge that lets them revoke someone's citizenship at the drop of a hat... the slope these men walk along is mighty slippery.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

When we start talking about simply depriving people of their citizenship for doing things we don't like, people should get worried. Suddenly we can just do anything to them.

actually State Department has a right to strip citizenship from a naturalized citizen which is kinda fucked up.

I thought that required a trial and conviction; This implies those rights be removed *before that* which would violate due process...

I don't remember the requirements. And I think it was done like twice in the history of USA.

http://www.newcitizen.us/losing.html

Convicted For An Act Of Treason Against The United States (note the word "Convicted")

Holding A Policy Level Position In A Foreign Country

Serving In Your Native Country’s Armed Forces If That Country Is Engaged In Hostilities Or At War With The United States

Serving In Your Native Country’s Armed Forces As An Officer Or A Non-Commissioned Officer

Lying To The USCIS During The Naturalization Process

Refusal To Testify Before Congress About Your Subversive Activities

Voluntarily Losing Your US Citizenship (Renunciation)

I agree with you.

Don't get me wrong, I'm no fan of the terrorist- but this sets a dangerous precedent that I'd gladly keep out of the hands of politicians/bureaucrat who are on "my side", if it means keeping it out of the hands of those who aren't.

*suspected terrorist

Unless he's a "Teabagger." Got it.

Yes, that's exactly what I meant. Good thing you're here to keep me on the straight and narrow.