Suspend Habeas Corpus?

[Shooterman]

In view of the seemingly huge controversey within the country now, I thought it very fitting and appropos when Liberty Quotations submitted this today. It may have been more than intentional.

I contend few founders were anymore protective of the Rights of the citizens than those like Thomas Jefferson.

The following are three of Mr Jefferson's quotes on Habeas Corpus. Agree or disagree? Why? My only request would be to shy away from emotional thoughts and reasons. Usually we leave that to the DIM LIBS.

"Why suspend the habeas corpus in insurrections and rebellions? Examine the history of England. See how few of the cases of the suspension of the habeas corpus law have been worthy of that suspension. They have been either real treasons, wherein the parties might as well have been charged at once, or sham plots, where it was
shameful they should ever have been suspected. Yet for the few cases wherein the suspension of the habeas corpus has done real good, that operation is now become habitual and the minds of the nation almost prepared to live under its constant suspension."
-- Thomas Jefferson
(1743-1826), US Founding Father, drafted the Declaration of Independence, 3rd US President
Source: letter to James Madison, 1788

Definition of 'habeas corpus':
A writ having for its object to bring a party before a court or judge; especially, one to inquire into the cause of a person's imprisonment or detention by another, with the view to protect the right to personal liberty.
Habeas corpus - Definition of Habeas corpus by Webster's Online Dictionary
http://quotes.liberty-tree.ca/quote_...son.Quote.147A


"It had become an universal and almost uncontroverted position in the several States, that the purposes of society do not require a surrender of all our rights to our ordinary governors; that there are certain portions of right not necessary to enable them to carry on an effective government, and which experience has nevertheless proved they will be constantly encroaching on, if submitted to them; that there are also certain fences which experience has proved peculiarly efficacious against wrong, and rarely obstructive of right, which yet the governing powers have ever shown a disposition to weaken and remove. Of the first kind, for instance, is freedom of religion; of the second, trial by jury, habeas corpus laws, free presses."
-- Thomas Jefferson
(1743-1826), US Founding Father, drafted the Declaration of Independence, 3rd US President
http://quotes.liberty-tree.ca/quote_...son.Quote.58AA


"By a declaration of rights, I mean one which shall stipulate freedom of religion, freedom of the press, freedom of commerce against monopolies, trial by juries in all cases, no suspensions of the habeas corpus, no standing armies. These are fetters against doing evil which no honest government should decline."
-- Thomas Jefferson
(1743-1826), US Founding Father, drafted the Declaration of Independence, 3rd US President
http://quotes.liberty-tree.ca/quote_...son.Quote.58AE

[JohnRN]

Hey Shooterman,

You're quoting Jefferson.
He was the heretic who advocated for smaller government.
He was the traitor who stated that speech shouldn't be restricted.
He was the terrorist sympathiser who said that if the people didn't like nor agree with their government following multiple, continued abuses of their rights and freedoms, it was their duty to rebel.

It is obvious you don't like the current policies of the government. I take it that you are a Saddam lover. Either that or you hate America like the liberal muslim loving terrorist that you are....


cheers,











PS: I hope people realise that my above post was sarcasm and satire.