The provision of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal 2012 which allows for the indefinite detention of American citizens is blatantly unconstitutional. It violates Article 1, Section 9, Clause 2 – “The privilege of the writ of habeas corpus shall not be suspended, unless when in cases of rebellion or invasion the public safety may require it.”. It also violates the sixth amendment, the right to a speedy trial and the eight amendment, the prohibition of excessive bail. All but 14 senators voted for it. If your senator voted for it then you should vote against your senator in the next election. The 14 who voted against it are:
Cardin (D-MD), Coburn (R-OK), Crapo (R-ID), DeMint (R-SC), Durbin (D-IL), Franken (D-MN), Harkin (D-IA), Lee (R-UT), Merkley (D-OR), Paul (R-KY), Risch (R-ID), Sanders (I-VT), Wyden (D-OR). They should be applauded and the remaining 86 should be, well, eighty-sixed. In the house of representatives there were 238 representatives that voted for it (and you should vote against them) and 136 representatives who voted against it. To find out the way your representative voted go to Project VoteSmart.
And although I voted for Obama, his signing this bill into law has ensured that I will not vote for him again.