The Third Amendment
The Third Amendment. Not one of the more readily recognizable of the Bill of Rights, nor is it often discussed. Well, as of late, persons who are observing the war in Iraq must ask themselves a question, "Are American soldiers bound by their Constitution to uphold its tenets in a foreign country?" In case you are unaware, the Third Amendment reads as such,"
Amendment III
Here is the article to be referred to in the media, "http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20051027/ap_on_re_mi_ea/
iraq_taking_over_houses;_ylt=
AiYgXUq9qvzMmS_mM7igDIULewgF;_ylu=X3oDMTBjMH
VqMTQ4BHNlYwN5bnN1Ym
NhdA--"
By quartering themselves in occupied residences and private property, they are thus, by law, "quartered" therein. The question is not whether or not the military is breaking their own laws in Iraq, because they are, but whether or not such laws are valid in foreign soil. If so, then clearly somebody needs to rethink giving the military such free reign. If not, then what protection do the Iraqi people from U.S. soldiers violating other laws on the basis that foreign laws have no place in Iraq? Say, for example, the Geneva Conventions. Well, we have already violated those before the fact in participating in airstrikes without a declaration of war, in killing noncombatants ("Carpet Bombing" and "Neutralization"), etc.
While this is a grim question, if persons do not start to take observation of this situation, it is quite possible that such violation of rights will occur domestically as well. It isn't unreasonable to imagine a recreated Committee On Un-American Activities.
I once heard someone say that a democratic government exists to protect us from others, but when it attempts to protect us from ourselves, then it becomes a facist one. For more information, read 1984 by George Orwell; actually, I encourage everyone to read this book, regardless if you agree or disagree with me.
Amendment III
No soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law."
Here is the article to be referred to in the media, "http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20051027/ap_on_re_mi_ea/
iraq_taking_over_houses;_ylt=
AiYgXUq9qvzMmS_mM7igDIULewgF;_ylu=X3oDMTBjMH
VqMTQ4BHNlYwN5bnN1Ym
NhdA--"
By quartering themselves in occupied residences and private property, they are thus, by law, "quartered" therein. The question is not whether or not the military is breaking their own laws in Iraq, because they are, but whether or not such laws are valid in foreign soil. If so, then clearly somebody needs to rethink giving the military such free reign. If not, then what protection do the Iraqi people from U.S. soldiers violating other laws on the basis that foreign laws have no place in Iraq? Say, for example, the Geneva Conventions. Well, we have already violated those before the fact in participating in airstrikes without a declaration of war, in killing noncombatants ("Carpet Bombing" and "Neutralization"), etc.
While this is a grim question, if persons do not start to take observation of this situation, it is quite possible that such violation of rights will occur domestically as well. It isn't unreasonable to imagine a recreated Committee On Un-American Activities.
I once heard someone say that a democratic government exists to protect us from others, but when it attempts to protect us from ourselves, then it becomes a facist one. For more information, read 1984 by George Orwell; actually, I encourage everyone to read this book, regardless if you agree or disagree with me.
posted by Russ at
10:04 PM
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