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The Death of Habeas Corpus: What Paul Wellstone Would Have Done

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http://www.commondreams.org/views06/1008-28.htm

Paul knew how to filibuster. Singlehandedly, his filibusters prevented a remarkably inequitable bankruptcy bill from being passed while he was in the Senate.

And he knew how to speak truth to power. When Exxon, the No. 1 oil company, gobbled up No. 2 Mobil… scarcely a politician of any stripe headed for the cameras to question whether the $76 billion deal was good for the country, for workers or for consumers. Except one: Senator Paul Wellstone… among the few in Congress still exercised about the concentration of corporate power …

In 1996, Paul was among the very few who voted against the Telecommunications Act. He argued it would lead to concentrated ownership. He was right.

In 1996, Paul bravely voted against ending the nation’s commitment to the poor. Again, he was the only politician running for reelection who did so. “If you want to reduce poverty, stop scapegoating people,” he said. “Start focusing on a good education and a good job.”

Wellstone’s legacy represents what we all wish the Democracts could be – and what the country could be.
-MAB

 

 

This entry was posted on Monday, October 9th, 2006 at 9:20 AM and filed under Articles. Follow comments here with the RSS 2.0 feed. Skip to the end and leave a response. Trackbacks are closed.

2 Responses to “The Death of Habeas Corpus: What Paul Wellstone Would Have Done”

  1. Ian Alterman said:

    Recently, I was at a political function at which I had a chance to speak with a local Congressperson whom I have known for some time. I jokingly asked, “Still fighting the good fight?” This representative looked at me solemnly and said, “Ian, if you had told me – even a year ago – that I would be voting against a bill to repeal the Magna Carta, I would never have believed you.” When I pointed out that it should not be that much of a shock, given the illegal and quasi-legal shenanigans of the Bush administration – Guantanamo, Abu Gharib, domestic wiretapping, etc. – the rep said, “True. But habeus corpus is one of the two major underpinnings of our Constitution. And we have all but eviscerated it.”

    I have never seen this rep – who is fairly progressive – in such a state. It was a sobering moment.

    Peace.

    Posted on 09-Oct-06 at 9:40 am | Permalink
  2. Mike Blaxill said:

    Nadler?

    Posted on 09-Oct-06 at 10:57 am | Permalink

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