Terrorism is no joke and should always be discussed seriously. Lets make that clear so there are no misunderstandings. Combating terrorism is probably the most difficult thing to do for a country. You aren't fighting an enemy with a country. Terrorists operate against countries in a total war fashion because they believe that those countries are wrong. That is what terrorism looks like to me.

My question is whether or not American's should have to give up their innocent until proven guilty right to help combat domestic terrorism. It is an important right in this country because it allows you to defend yourself in a court of law should you be accused of a crime. Terrorism is a crime that, should you be accused of it, immediately voids your right to have a trial among your peers. Instead of going to jail, you go to Gitmo (or its equivalent). Essentially, you are guilty until you are proven guilty if you are accused of being a terrorist. That doesn't sit well with me no matter how I try to look at it. Terrorism is sort of like treason so I can understand having your rights taken away if you choose to forsake your country (as is the case with treason). But what constitutes terrorism? Disagreement with how the government runs things? Actively attacking innocents? Or is it a combination of both; and if so, which one has more credence in getting accused of terrorism?

I lean towards the side that says you are innocent until proven guilty, regardless of the crime. Hope I didn't make it too serious.

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Brass knuckles and a 2x4.

I agree with your 'leanings" here. I think you will find, almost across the board, liberals, moderates, and conservatives think our government overreaches, and has crossed a line with the constitution. I think you will find very few to disagree with you here.

Personally I'd rather live in a freer less safe society than in a police state where suspicion is enough to be arrested and detained indefinitely. I do not feel the supposed increased safety can ever be worth the loss of our rights and freedoms.

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Domestic terrorism and international terrorism, to me, are two separate issues, even if they are perpetrated for similar reasons or similar groups. If you commit a crime here, are caught here, and arrested here, then yes, you should get a crack at the justice system. If you are out of the country at any one of these stages, then the whole situation changes, and IMO you don't get the same rights in every case.

Yeah freedom and liberty are things that society should be aiming to improve constantly, never amend, revoke, or add safety clauses to. It has been awhile since I've looked at the constitution but I do not remember safety being mentioned with freedom and liberty. I will not say that safety is not in the constitution (it HAS to be somewhere I guess) but it does not dictate liberty. It may be less safe but it is equally unsafe for everyone so long as our liberty is protected. People who aim to take advantage of that will find out how equal it really is.

Now I have to go find my Bat Suit.

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Brass knuckles and a 2x4.

I agree. It is imperative that the differences between the two is noted. I too would be fine with an international terrorist being stripped of rights but a domestic terrorist is still entitled to the right of a trial. Terrorism cannot be a magic word that voids a persons right to test the legal system in my opinion. Other factors must come into play.

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Brass knuckles and a 2x4.

IUPG is one of the key barriers that preserve individual liberty. Take it away for any reason and our slide toward Orwellianism becomes inexorable, especially with all this advanced technology allowing government to track and observe us.

However, that same technology is making it easier and easier for terrorism to exploit and circumvent the very judicial safeguards we have in place to protect us.

Basically, technology has us stuck between a rock and a hard place. I personally believe we're looking at an absolute limit on free society, and I don't like it.

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GO HAWKS!!!

Visit my Seahawks blog at 17power.blogspot.com!

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We police the world and create international grudges. I'm with Ron Paul on this, get the hell out of everyone's business. Circumventing anyone's right to trial is chicken shit.

From wiki: According to the former CIA case officer Bob Baer, "If you want a serious interrogation, you send a prisoner to Jordan. If you want them to be tortured, you send them to Syria. If you want someone to disappear—never to see them again—you send them to Egypt."

I think we should treat all humans with the same respect no matter their origination or actions.

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RIP ROAD WOES 12/2/2012

This is funny coming from the guy who calls people morons if they disagree with him

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2013 AAR: Chris Harper

Just because I respect you doesn't mean I don't think you're a moron.

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RIP ROAD WOES 12/2/2012

Color me surprised with that response.

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2013 AAR: Chris Harper

Did you seriously just type that?

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GO HAWKS!!!

Visit my Seahawks blog at 17power.blogspot.com!

Follow me on Twitter at @17power

I actually have to agree with SonicHawk on this one.

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RIP ROAD WOES 12/2/2012

I respect human life and how precious it is. What do you not understand?

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RIP ROAD WOES 12/2/2012

Necessary evils, my friend. After all, you can't break an omelet without breaking a few eggs.

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Legal Notice: Any references made by the online entity know as SacHawk 2.0 or "Sac" in regards to "Currystopstheruns" being a pre-op tranny with an anal tampon fetish are entirely accurate.

So we should treat OBL the exact same way we should treat Mhatma Ghandi? Is that truly your stance?

Do unto others as you would have them do to you.

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RIP ROAD WOES 12/2/2012

What the hell are you talking about? Are you suggesting that Ghandi is a terrorist that ordered the deaths of 1,000s of people?

You treat people as people, the outcome would obviously be very different with Ghandi and OBL.

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RIP ROAD WOES 12/2/2012

When you live in a land of true justice, every has to be allowed the same freedoms and rights. When we start making exceptions there is no longer freedom or justice.