Troubling new law

Dear Editor:

I read the letter from John Sutton in last week’s Morgan Messenger. I’m glad he brought up the subject of the new powers that have been given to the military in this country. This new law is disturbing to say the least.

If you do something that the military doesn’t like, they can come and get you. You don’t get a trial, you don’t get an attorney and you don’t even get to make a phone call to let your loved ones know what’s happened to you. Of course, they will say that this can only apply to a terrorist, but that’s not true.

Section 1031 of the new law, S. 1867, reads: “United States Citizens-The requirement to detain a person in military custody under this section does not extend to citizens of the United States.”

It says the requirement to detain a person does not extend to citizens, but it does not say that the military is prohibited from doing so. So it is left up to the military to decide whom to arrest. This is way too much power to be given to the military. They could have easily worded this so it allows American citizens to contact an attorney, but they did not.

At one time, the sixth amendment to the U.S. Constitution clearly gave citizens the right to a speedy trial. This bill takes that right away. It takes away our right to any trial, or even a phone call. This law needs to be repealed if we want America to remain a free country.

We know President Obama supports this, he signed the law. We deserve to know where the Republican presidential candidates stand on this issue.

James Dupont
Berkeley Springs