A Coup Against the American Constitution Via NY Transfer News * All the News That Doesn't Fit source - Francis Boyle Originally from Doug Salzmann November 15, 2001 Yesterday, Dennis Bernstein, host of the incomparable Flashpoints program, on KPFA radio in Berkeley, interviewed Professor Francis Boyle, of the University of Illinois Law School, an expert in international and human rights law and a long-time champion and proponent of a foreign policy based upon decency and justice. The subject was George Bush's breathtaking order authorizing (potentially secret) military tribunals for foreign nationals suspected of "terrorism." Below are excerpts from the interview and a link to the Flashpoints web site, where those suitably equipped can listen to yesterday's program via RealAudio. I have communicated with Professor Boyle today, and confirmed that he is interested in doing as many interviews as he can find time for, in an attempt to oppose this horrific assault on justice, decency and the rule of law. I believe an interview with Boyle would be very appropriate for BuzzFlash to consider at this time. If you agree with me please consider contacting him via one of the routes indicated below. Best regards. --Doug Salzmann BEGIN EXCERPT Boyle: First this executive order must be considered in light of the massive assault by this administration...against the U.S. Constitution.. .one blow after another, after another.. this is one of the more outrageous... [C]learly aliens here legally are entitled to the protections of the Bill of Rights... [T]he Geneva Conventions of 1949 clearly apply to our dispute with Afghanistan...[T]rial protections must be adhered to...due process of law set forth in both of these treaties.. otherwise it is a war crime.. [T]his executive order is very dangerous... [We are, effectively,] saying to Al Queda, "since we're not giving you the protections.. then you can violate protections for U.S. military personel captured too" [The] problem is Bush has said that Al Queda is not entitled to prisoner of war protections.. thereby exposing our military to the same treatment: secret trials and executions Bernstein: a quiet coup? Boyle: [A] coup against the American Constitution...[T]he president and secretary of state are bound by the 4th Geneva convention overseas...[D]omestically they are bound by the Constitution of the United States.. yet this is exactly what this executive order is undoing.. [W]e're becoming a Banana Republic, with 'disappeared people'..[There are] reports a immigrant prisoner was tortured to death in a New Jersey lockup.. [W]hen will these government agencies start to turn these powers against the American people? That's the next step. END EXCERPT RealAudio link to KPFA interview: Contact information for Professor Boyle: Francis A. Boyle Law Building 504 E. Pennsylvania Ave. Champaign, IL 61820 USA 217-333-7954(voice) 217-244-1478(fax) ================================================================= NY Transfer News Collective * A Service of Blythe Systems Since 1985 - Information for the Rest of Us 339 Lafayette St., New York, NY 10012 http://www.blythe.org e-mail: nyt@blythe.org ================================================================= nytact-11.16.01-14:58:50-1316