“Come to the U.S. and kill Americans! Even if you murder women and children, you will be guaranteed protection under our Constitution, ‘Mirandized’ and provided lawyers, along with top-quality medical care (if wounded in an escape attempt) … all at taxpayers’ expense. You could possibly even qualify for long-term quality care, with many free amenities, also at public expense, or perhaps, as an ‘enemy combatant,’ receive an all-expense-paid retirement on an island in the Caribbean.”
Extraordinary nonsense! That is manifestly evident in the debate surrounding the Boston bombing.
“We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.”
Correct me if I am wrong, but isn’t the primary purpose of the Constitution and Bill of Rights to establish justice, ensure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense and ensure that American citizens are not subjected to governmental abuses – not to protect people who deliberately violate the rights and endanger or take the lives of other American citizens?
In my opinion, and since even the Supreme Court itself only offers opinions (albeit informed, but opinions nonetheless), I feel entitled to mine. In my opinion, once someone deliberately and illegally violates for untoward purposes the rights, and endangers (or takes) the life of, another American citizen, especially in an act of premeditated violence (as in a terrorist act), shouldn’t they automatically forfeit all constitutionally protected rights? Murdering other Americans is not a constitutional right.
Why should the rights of someone who spends months or even years learning and preparing to surreptitiously murder as many unsuspecting Americans as possible be guaranteed under and by the self-same document they are deliberately violating?
Does it occur to any of those screaming for constitutionally protected rights for people who committed a heinous crime in a major American city that the most basic human right – the right to life – was blatantly and deliberately violated? These murderers were intent on creating as much carnage and taking as many American lives as possible. They were in possession of the means to create even more chaos and kill even more innocent citizens than they did. Only diligence by law enforcement and a lucky break prevented who knows how much more damage Boston (or America) might have suffered.
What about the rights of the 8 year old who was killed by their handiwork? Who is looking out for him and his family, including his 6-year-old sister who lost her leg and the other 282 injured people, which included eight children? What about the young officer murdered in cold blood with several shots to the head and another in critical condition? What about their constitutional rights?
There are years-long waiting lists of people waiting to legally enter the United States, not to mention 11 million illegals already here. The reason many people strive to come here, besides the obvious economic benefits, is because America is unique among the nations of the world. Something that should be manifest to even the most casual observer is that America has been almost exempt from the violence and chaos that has become almost a daily routine in many countries, especially the Middle East.
What has made the difference?
We are a nation of laws – laws designed to protect the innocent and punish the guilty. Historically, we have joined with the enemies of terrorism throughout the world; we have sent, and continue to send, our young men and women, military, medical and technical assistance, as well as hundreds of billions in financial aid to fight terrorism worldwide, and now we are extending constitutional rights to terrorists here at home.
On our home shores, Lady Liberty holds the torch of liberty high; inscribed below is a plaque reading, “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, the wretched refuse of your teeming shore, Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door!”
Sun Tzu said, “Know your enemy and know yourself and you can fight a hundred battles without disaster.” What must be clearly understood by all is that heretofore we have been a friend to be diligently sought and an enemy to be just as diligently avoided. However, we, and potential enemies, are beginning to realize that of late we have become a nation inclined, by leftist-leaning “educators,” legislators and jurists, toward punishing the innocent to protect the guilty. Is a prime example of this attitude currently on display in Boston?
Perhaps it is not too late. Perhaps the quality of placing a high value on all life, and the lives of Americans in particular, which made America at once the hope and envy of many, is not completely dead. Perhaps it is only sleeping. If such is the case, and I sincerely pray that it is, then it should be understood by all: You do not wake a sleeping giant, especially with a sneak attack upon innocents that includes children.
Isn’t this still America, land of the free, home of the brave? Attack or invade at your own risk! Constitutional rights for terrorists? Not on my watch!
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