I come from a Communist country. This means that I come from a country in which the rights of the people are subservient to the State. Or, to put it even more briefly, individuals have no guaranteed rights. Not so surprisingly, Fascism evokes the same ideology. Fascist ideology consistently invoked the primacy of the state. Fascism borrowed theories and terminology from socialism but applied them to what it saw as the more significant conflict between nations and races rather than to class conflict, and focused on ending the divisions between classes within the nation.
But, here is the bottom line in both Communism and Fascism. In both cases, the State is supreme and the security of the State is more important than the civil rights of the individual. In fact, any individual rights of the individual can be suspended in case of national need. It is very important to note this sameness.
Currently in the USA, many hold that neither priests nor pastors should engage in politics. There is good reason for this most of the time. If our priests and pastors are too involved in partisan politics, there exists the danger that the faith become identified with a particular political position. I should note that there is the opposite danger, which is that if clergy never speak up, then they equally risk being identified with some type of political philosophy. Currently there are those who are seeking to identify Pope Francis with conservative fascist ideology precisely because he supposedly failed to speak out strongly enough against then reigning military junta.
But, now I feel as though I must risk some slight involvement. Some Republican congresspeople are again upset because the US bombing criminal was read his rights and will be arraigned in a court of law. They are willing to deny a USA citizen his constitutional rights because of national need. More than one has suggested that torture should be authorized despite clear Constitutional law that prohibits “cruel and unusual punishment.”
And thus, as one who was a citizen of a Communist country, I am of the opinion that I must speak out against those on the right who are willing to behave just like the Communists that my family fled. Look at the history of South American and you will read about the “desaparecidos” during the right-wing military and civil dictatorships of Brazil, Argentina, and Chile. Civil rights were suspended by the right-wing for the good of the country. This is not what we want for this country.
Many on the right are concerned about their constitutional rights particularly those concerning the Second Amendment. Be very careful lest in defense of the Republic and the Constitution you are inadvertently talked into giving away other equally important Constitutional rights. If you are willing to give away the Constitutional rights of some (on the ground that they were not really born here), how long do you think it will be before the Constitutional rights of those who were born here are equally constricted?
So, let me speak out clearly. Either all American citizens (born or naturalized) have the same rights or none of us have any rights at all. Let us defend the rights of every American citizen regardless of how horrific the crime that s/he has committed. To do otherwise is to risk a much greater evil.
Fr. Ernesto, you know it and you are right. You’ve been there and people should just shut up, keep a cool head and listen to what you have to say.
Before you start pointing fingers at only Republicans again, read below. Also, can you say this same thing if it was one of your children this happened to? Never know until it happens. I’m not advocating, just passing info like you.
First, the Obama administration has already rolled back Miranda rights for terrorism suspects captured on US soil. It did so two years ago with almost no controversy or even notice, including from many of those who so vocally condemned Graham’s Miranda tweets yesterday. In May, 2010, the New York Times’ Charlie Savage – under the headline “Holder Backs a Miranda Limit for Terror Suspects” – reported that “the Obama administration said Sunday it would seek a law allowing investigators to interrogate terrorism suspects without informing them of their rights.” Instead of going to Congress, the Obama DOJ, in March 2011, simply adopted their own rules that vested themselves with this power, as reported back then by Salon’s Justin Elliott (“Obama rolls back Miranda rights”), the Wall Street Journal (“Rights Are Curtailed for Terror Suspects”), the New York Times (“Delayed Miranda Warning Ordered for Terror Suspects”), and myself (“Miranda is Obama’s latest victim”).
By the way, I believe this would be treason. Oh and let’s not forget it was Obama’s DOJ that was doing this. No party is 100% right all the time. Also, you and I can get ejected from this country at the will of the government. Now that’s scary!
Thank you, Father Ernesto. A home run.
To comment on Your sister’s comment: I assume you’d frown on any Democrat as well as Republican who messed with constitutional rights?
I think Felix T said it best as long as one takes his statement “tongue in cheek”.
I think I get it that you spent time in a communist country without you having to say it.
What many people don’t seem to understand is that protecting the rights of those who are pretty obviously guilty, rights such as those of due process and legal representation, is necessary if the rights of those who are not so obviously guilty – not to say “innocent” – are to be protected as well.
Exactly! Well said!
…and in doing away with any semblance of due process, we inch towards the very police state we say we are not. Politically I’ve been more or less a Republican all my life… Lately it has been been less and less. A pox on both of the major parties! They both share culpability in the erosion of due process and constitutional liberty and human rights.