This month, I started to teach my class in Fort Tryon Park again. It's a free taijiquan class I've offered for the past two (or three?) summers. As much as I love teaching, there's one thing about this class that I think I could do without. It's at 6:30 in the morning.
Actually, it makes sense to do it early. The qi in the park is clear, the birds are singing, the setting is serene. It's also good as the mind is clear in the morning also. It just really, really bites getting up at 5:45 so I can pull my clothes on and get there on time.
Recently, I've been thinking a lot about little inconveniences like this, and how they relate to life. I've come to realize that the Buddha Gautama was absolutely right; living involves a certain amount of suffering.
Nothing is free, and everything worthwhile involves some inconvenience, suffering, elbow grease, whatever you want to call it. We all know that this is true. However, knowing something and actualizing it are two different things. Otherwise, we'd all act in our best interests all the time, no complaining. The reality is, however, that we do complain. We do want to stay snug in bed rather than go for an early run; we do want to drink that extra beer rather than stay sober to drive home, we do want to eat the pint of ice cream rather than the fruit.
This is the heart of procrastination, what Buddha included in his First Noble Truth about suffering; separation from what one wants is suffering, and having what one doesn't want is also suffering. Who wants to get up before six a.m. to do taiji? This morning, aside from myself, just one. And a skunk, but I think it was already in the park.
Of course, people do realize that a certain amount of discipline is necessary in daily life, otherwise nothing would get done. But I wonder; how much of this 'getting done' is still a kind of avoidance? Working hard to change the outside world to our liking only to wind up with yet other circumstances that we don't like? Circumstances that through our engineering, we've actually brought about? Like hamsters on the wheel, we spin and spin, moving out feet as rapidly as possible, yet not going anywhere.
Non-activity isn't the answer either, of course. To be human is to work. Otherwise, we'd starve. So what's a person to do?
It would seem that the thing to do is to accept that life has its moments we'd rather not have. To deal with the snow on the street, and the sun during the dog days of summer. We have to accept that early morning is the best time to rise to exercise, and that tedium is necessarily a part of mastering some process, be that taiji or stamp collecting.
Embrace the unpleasant. You'll feel so much better after.
Thursday, May 3, 2012
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Extra Points and Modern People
I was going to write an article on the use of extra points in treating traumatic conditions, like back pain, but then I realized that I also wanted to touch on something about the use of not only those points, but acupuncture in general.
Essentially, the ugly truth about acupuncture is that it can hurt sometimes. A lot. And when it comes to taking a little discomfort in the present to mitigate a lot of discomfort for a long while, most modern Americans are, quite frankly, pussies.
Acupuncture is old; in fact, it's very, very old. The Huang Di Nei Jing, the Chinese classic that first dealt with acupuncture as a subject is at least 2500 years old. That means that people in China were receiving acupuncture 500 years, at least, before Jesus was born; before Rome was transformed from a republic to an empire. More than that, there's archaeological evidence to support the idea that acupuncture is even older than the Huang Di Nei Jing.
In that time, of course, acupuncture has undergone a lot of change; from using stone probes to finer and finer needles and instruments. However, the people have changed considerably also. People back in ancient times led a much rougher, harsher existence. Physical discomfort was part of daily life. No one wanted it, anymore than they do now, but they knew that it was part of life, and they tolerated it. The life of a peasant, or farmer, in ancient China was almost unimaginably different than it is now. Times were brutal. Medicine also at that time was a bit brutal.
People today are, by contrast to our hale and hearty ancestors, much softer. They're also much more out of shape, leading to a whole host of diseases and syndromes unknown to our forebears. That's another post for another time. It's enough to note for this post, that most people are much less tolerant of discomfort than before.
Very often, when I'm confronted by someone who is in a lot of pain at a clinic, the first question he or she will ask me about acupuncture is, "Will it hurt?" Also very often, when I tell them truthfully that it does involve some sensation, they will ask to skip it. Not exactly a very robust group of patients, the modern individual.
To be fair, acupuncture marketing hasn't done a great job of helping. Acupuncture is marketed in quite a lot of media as "painless." Naturally, when patients come in, they expect there to be absolutely no pain or discomfort involved with the treatment, and when there is, they may or may not come back. I try to tell my patients truthfully that acupuncture is not sensationless, and that they will feel something. That way, they're not so shocked when they feel "de qi" at the needle site.
More than this, however, is an entire generation that has grown averse to experiencing discomfort on any level. Everything in modern living is sanitized, and made easier and easier. You no longer have to kill your own food; elevators eliminate the need for climbing steps, a journey of more than 10 blocks needs the bus. When that mind-set of avoiding discomfort becomes bedrock, it becomes very hard to move.
The body, as a living organism, needs to move. All of TCM is predicated on the idea of promoting movement, growth, inflow and outflow. "When there is free movement, there is no pain." We've become very comfortable in modern civilization, but we hardly seem to be healthier for it. A few people out there seem to get it, and they are committed to the idea of a body in motion; urban athletes who get out and move, even in inclement weather. But for a great many other people, it's just too easy to not move. Which is why the First Lady, Michelle, has to promote the "Let's Move" campaign. A campaign that is at odds with marketing which extols the virtues of hardly lifting a finger to get something done.
What is there to do? Perhaps we need to recognize that effort, even painful effort, is not inimical to enjoying life, and indeed, enhances it. In acupuncture, this would be taking a little pain from the needle to ward off much worse down the line. In life, it would be going anaerobic from time to time, taking the stairs every so often, walking, taiji, yoga; a whole host of things that people can do to ward off stasis from lack of movement. Is the cure worse than the disease, in this case? I think not. As is often said in Buddhism, pain is inevitable, suffering is not. Perhaps in embracing small pains, you can help stave off an old age of suffering.
Essentially, the ugly truth about acupuncture is that it can hurt sometimes. A lot. And when it comes to taking a little discomfort in the present to mitigate a lot of discomfort for a long while, most modern Americans are, quite frankly, pussies.
Acupuncture is old; in fact, it's very, very old. The Huang Di Nei Jing, the Chinese classic that first dealt with acupuncture as a subject is at least 2500 years old. That means that people in China were receiving acupuncture 500 years, at least, before Jesus was born; before Rome was transformed from a republic to an empire. More than that, there's archaeological evidence to support the idea that acupuncture is even older than the Huang Di Nei Jing.
In that time, of course, acupuncture has undergone a lot of change; from using stone probes to finer and finer needles and instruments. However, the people have changed considerably also. People back in ancient times led a much rougher, harsher existence. Physical discomfort was part of daily life. No one wanted it, anymore than they do now, but they knew that it was part of life, and they tolerated it. The life of a peasant, or farmer, in ancient China was almost unimaginably different than it is now. Times were brutal. Medicine also at that time was a bit brutal.
People today are, by contrast to our hale and hearty ancestors, much softer. They're also much more out of shape, leading to a whole host of diseases and syndromes unknown to our forebears. That's another post for another time. It's enough to note for this post, that most people are much less tolerant of discomfort than before.
Very often, when I'm confronted by someone who is in a lot of pain at a clinic, the first question he or she will ask me about acupuncture is, "Will it hurt?" Also very often, when I tell them truthfully that it does involve some sensation, they will ask to skip it. Not exactly a very robust group of patients, the modern individual.
To be fair, acupuncture marketing hasn't done a great job of helping. Acupuncture is marketed in quite a lot of media as "painless." Naturally, when patients come in, they expect there to be absolutely no pain or discomfort involved with the treatment, and when there is, they may or may not come back. I try to tell my patients truthfully that acupuncture is not sensationless, and that they will feel something. That way, they're not so shocked when they feel "de qi" at the needle site.
More than this, however, is an entire generation that has grown averse to experiencing discomfort on any level. Everything in modern living is sanitized, and made easier and easier. You no longer have to kill your own food; elevators eliminate the need for climbing steps, a journey of more than 10 blocks needs the bus. When that mind-set of avoiding discomfort becomes bedrock, it becomes very hard to move.
The body, as a living organism, needs to move. All of TCM is predicated on the idea of promoting movement, growth, inflow and outflow. "When there is free movement, there is no pain." We've become very comfortable in modern civilization, but we hardly seem to be healthier for it. A few people out there seem to get it, and they are committed to the idea of a body in motion; urban athletes who get out and move, even in inclement weather. But for a great many other people, it's just too easy to not move. Which is why the First Lady, Michelle, has to promote the "Let's Move" campaign. A campaign that is at odds with marketing which extols the virtues of hardly lifting a finger to get something done.
What is there to do? Perhaps we need to recognize that effort, even painful effort, is not inimical to enjoying life, and indeed, enhances it. In acupuncture, this would be taking a little pain from the needle to ward off much worse down the line. In life, it would be going anaerobic from time to time, taking the stairs every so often, walking, taiji, yoga; a whole host of things that people can do to ward off stasis from lack of movement. Is the cure worse than the disease, in this case? I think not. As is often said in Buddhism, pain is inevitable, suffering is not. Perhaps in embracing small pains, you can help stave off an old age of suffering.
Sunday, January 22, 2012
No Sweat
Once again, I bow to the power of Chinese herbals. Or, at least, correctly prescribed herbals. I have a patient who suffers from hyperhidrosis. Basically, she busts out in a sweat that soaks her and whatever she is wearing. The situation is worse in stressful situations, which is a real bummer as she is a lawyer. Stressful situations are legal's stock in trade.
Chinese medicine calls sweat the, "fluid of the heart." Indeed, sweat, the loss of fluid, definitely has an effect on blood, since that water lost by sweating has to come from somewhere, and that somewhere is from the bloodstream. This is why professional cyclists experience an increase in their blood viscosity during a Grand Tour, such as the Tour de France, and why replenishing fluids is so important.
The Heart is situated in the Upper Jiao (or Upper Burner) along with the Lungs. The Heart is also Fire, and if out of control, or disturbed in some way, this Fire may effect the Lungs, which are Metal. The Lungs control the pores of the skin, the gateway for sweat. So, if Heart-Fire starts to burn too bright, or a little out of control due to a disturbance to the Heart-Spirit, either by stress, fear, or some other emotional factor, the Lungs may lose their ability to control the pores effectively, and allow inappropriate sweat, further effecting the Heart.
For this patient, it was important not to let this sweat get too out of control, otherwise, the condition could progress to a stage of fulminant Heart-Fire, with real Shen (Spirit) disturbance, and night sweating and further to Yin Deficiency Fire.
I prescribed for her a modified version of Mu Li San (Oyster Shell Powder). This marvelously balanced formula is ideal for strengthening the Lung-Metal control over the pores, and has cool medicinals in it to help curb Heart-Fire before it gets too hot, and astringes sweat. The cool, salty oyster shell, Concha Ostreae, nourishes the Heart Yin, soothes irritability, and contains fluids. Along with qi tonifying astragalus (Rx. Astragali Membranacei) and Heart-nourishing wheat (Semen Tritici Aestevi L.), harmony is restored to the Upper Burner between the Heart and Lungs, stopping inappropriate sweating, and easing the Heart-Spirit.
I mentioned that this formula is modified, and since she is a little blood-deficient, I added He Shou Wu and Shu Di Huang for her, both blood tonics. After taking this formula in the form of granules (100g), she told me her sweating had stopped. I love when that happens.
Chinese medicine calls sweat the, "fluid of the heart." Indeed, sweat, the loss of fluid, definitely has an effect on blood, since that water lost by sweating has to come from somewhere, and that somewhere is from the bloodstream. This is why professional cyclists experience an increase in their blood viscosity during a Grand Tour, such as the Tour de France, and why replenishing fluids is so important.
The Heart is situated in the Upper Jiao (or Upper Burner) along with the Lungs. The Heart is also Fire, and if out of control, or disturbed in some way, this Fire may effect the Lungs, which are Metal. The Lungs control the pores of the skin, the gateway for sweat. So, if Heart-Fire starts to burn too bright, or a little out of control due to a disturbance to the Heart-Spirit, either by stress, fear, or some other emotional factor, the Lungs may lose their ability to control the pores effectively, and allow inappropriate sweat, further effecting the Heart.
For this patient, it was important not to let this sweat get too out of control, otherwise, the condition could progress to a stage of fulminant Heart-Fire, with real Shen (Spirit) disturbance, and night sweating and further to Yin Deficiency Fire.
I prescribed for her a modified version of Mu Li San (Oyster Shell Powder). This marvelously balanced formula is ideal for strengthening the Lung-Metal control over the pores, and has cool medicinals in it to help curb Heart-Fire before it gets too hot, and astringes sweat. The cool, salty oyster shell, Concha Ostreae, nourishes the Heart Yin, soothes irritability, and contains fluids. Along with qi tonifying astragalus (Rx. Astragali Membranacei) and Heart-nourishing wheat (Semen Tritici Aestevi L.), harmony is restored to the Upper Burner between the Heart and Lungs, stopping inappropriate sweating, and easing the Heart-Spirit.
I mentioned that this formula is modified, and since she is a little blood-deficient, I added He Shou Wu and Shu Di Huang for her, both blood tonics. After taking this formula in the form of granules (100g), she told me her sweating had stopped. I love when that happens.
Sunday, January 15, 2012
Yoga, Taijiquan, and the Human Ego
A friend of mine recently brought me an article that appeared in the New York Times. Entitled, "How Yoga Can Wreck Your Body," by William J. Broad, this article has been making the rounds on Facebook and other sharing sites, and is creating quite a buzz out there in the blogo/twitter/sharing-verse. As pointed out in an article in the British paper The Guardian, proponents have been knocked off their yoga mats and are anything but serene about the article and its allegations.
Perhaps this should come as no surprise, as The Guardian notes that yoga is now a $5 billion a year industry; mats, tapes, DVDs, classes. If there's one thing I've learned over the years, it's that no industry likes to be attacked, and it will retaliate, no matter if they espouse a philosophy of inner peace and balance.
Having studied and taught taijiquan for some time, it's not hard to see how injuries occur in a class setting like yoga. Simply put, people's egos get in the way of the actual learning; both the ego of the teacher and the student (I'm guilty of this also). People in packed yoga classes can get bullied into trying postures, or asanas, that are simply beyond their point of development (teacher ego), or the over-enthusiastic pupil can try things that are too advanced for him/her (pupil ego). Years ago, I taught a free taiji class under the Queensboro bridge, and I kept trying to get one student to practice a basic posture. Inevitably, she'd sneak over to where I was with the more advanced pupils, and try to do what they were doing. Patience often times is not a quality you find in abundance.
Srila Bhaktivedanta Prabhupada, in his seminal book, "Bhagavad Gita: As It Is," said of yoga, "Unless the mind is controlled, the practice of yoga (for show) is simply a waste of time." He also goes on to denigrate the enthusiastic practice of hatha yoga and its popularity in the West. For a guru like Prabhupad, yoga is not about exercise, but about union with the Supreme, and without that, there is no yoga.
Although perhaps a bit extreme in his outlook, Prabhupad does touch on an important aspect to all these practices, be they yoga or taijiquan; that is the role of the mind. All such practices are for helping to control the mind and curbing ego; not strengthening ego by taking pride in what posture you can do. Perhaps this kind of pride is inevitable; people naturally take pride in their achievements, in something they worked hard to acquire. But the ones who have achieved ability through hard work are also the ones most apt to recognize the arduousness of the journey, and should be the ones to advice caution, and patience in these practices, not haste. Sometimes, of course, these high-level teachers also forget what it was to have been a beginner, and try to hurry their charges along, but that doesn't result in ability so much as it does with injury.
Studying taiji under Mr. Yu was this type of experience. Mr. Yu, in his late 60s and early 70s, was able to do things that most people one-third his age could not do. The discipline he had over his own body was awe inspiring. As a form instructor, he was very exacting and demanding. But, for me, after three years or so of studying his form, I had to leave him. My knees couldn't take it. I had to find another way, and I did, in the taiji forms of Yang Zhenduo and his grandson and heir, Yang Jun. One has to find the way that fits them, and not contort themselves to fit the way of another, and this, also, ties in with mind.
When your practice flows, and everything is as it should be, the mind can become quiet. You can be absorbed in what you're doing, rather than in stretching for something you're not ready for. When I teach class these days, I'm aware of how much my students are ready for and how much they can strive for. I don't insist on deeper stances, only what the person can do. I do try to encourage them to stretch, but not past their limits. Limits may readjust, but this is a process of growth, not force. When the mind is calm, limits are seen as milestones, and not as barriers to punch through.
So, maintain your practice, but do it mindfully. Use this practice to curb your ego, not enlarge it.
Perhaps this should come as no surprise, as The Guardian notes that yoga is now a $5 billion a year industry; mats, tapes, DVDs, classes. If there's one thing I've learned over the years, it's that no industry likes to be attacked, and it will retaliate, no matter if they espouse a philosophy of inner peace and balance.
Having studied and taught taijiquan for some time, it's not hard to see how injuries occur in a class setting like yoga. Simply put, people's egos get in the way of the actual learning; both the ego of the teacher and the student (I'm guilty of this also). People in packed yoga classes can get bullied into trying postures, or asanas, that are simply beyond their point of development (teacher ego), or the over-enthusiastic pupil can try things that are too advanced for him/her (pupil ego). Years ago, I taught a free taiji class under the Queensboro bridge, and I kept trying to get one student to practice a basic posture. Inevitably, she'd sneak over to where I was with the more advanced pupils, and try to do what they were doing. Patience often times is not a quality you find in abundance.
Srila Bhaktivedanta Prabhupada, in his seminal book, "Bhagavad Gita: As It Is," said of yoga, "Unless the mind is controlled, the practice of yoga (for show) is simply a waste of time." He also goes on to denigrate the enthusiastic practice of hatha yoga and its popularity in the West. For a guru like Prabhupad, yoga is not about exercise, but about union with the Supreme, and without that, there is no yoga.
Although perhaps a bit extreme in his outlook, Prabhupad does touch on an important aspect to all these practices, be they yoga or taijiquan; that is the role of the mind. All such practices are for helping to control the mind and curbing ego; not strengthening ego by taking pride in what posture you can do. Perhaps this kind of pride is inevitable; people naturally take pride in their achievements, in something they worked hard to acquire. But the ones who have achieved ability through hard work are also the ones most apt to recognize the arduousness of the journey, and should be the ones to advice caution, and patience in these practices, not haste. Sometimes, of course, these high-level teachers also forget what it was to have been a beginner, and try to hurry their charges along, but that doesn't result in ability so much as it does with injury.
Studying taiji under Mr. Yu was this type of experience. Mr. Yu, in his late 60s and early 70s, was able to do things that most people one-third his age could not do. The discipline he had over his own body was awe inspiring. As a form instructor, he was very exacting and demanding. But, for me, after three years or so of studying his form, I had to leave him. My knees couldn't take it. I had to find another way, and I did, in the taiji forms of Yang Zhenduo and his grandson and heir, Yang Jun. One has to find the way that fits them, and not contort themselves to fit the way of another, and this, also, ties in with mind.
When your practice flows, and everything is as it should be, the mind can become quiet. You can be absorbed in what you're doing, rather than in stretching for something you're not ready for. When I teach class these days, I'm aware of how much my students are ready for and how much they can strive for. I don't insist on deeper stances, only what the person can do. I do try to encourage them to stretch, but not past their limits. Limits may readjust, but this is a process of growth, not force. When the mind is calm, limits are seen as milestones, and not as barriers to punch through.
So, maintain your practice, but do it mindfully. Use this practice to curb your ego, not enlarge it.
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Finally, A Real Treatment!
Working no-fault insurance in New York, if you're an acupuncturist, is a really thankless job sometimes. Mostly, the job at these clinics isn't so much centered on efficacy of treatment as it is on raw speed. That's because in New York, the insurance doesn't pay as much as it used to. As a result, clinics go for sheer volume, and get the acupuncturist to see as many clients as he/she can. I don't make the rules, I only play by them.
Sometimes, however, you can get the opportunity to sneak a real treatment in. This morning, I saw a man who had come in before anyone else had arrived. His neck was practically locked into looking forward, and his right arm is so badly injured, he virtually has no range of motion.
Tongue and pulse weren't as important in this case, as he mostly had very severe qi and blood stagnation due to trauma, but he did report that he felt cold, mostly. However, treatment focused on freeing qi and blood, and relieving his muscles.
Following the protocols in Callison's book, I mostly needled for the motor points of the trapezius (GB 21) and the splenius muscles (SI 16) on his right side. After, I needled a lot of GB points as he lay supine, including GB 41, 34, 23, and GB 8 threaded toward 9.
After treatment, the patient was able to move rotate his head a considerable degree more, but still not fully. He was advised to come in again early the next day so that treatment could continue in the same vane.
Sometimes, however, you can get the opportunity to sneak a real treatment in. This morning, I saw a man who had come in before anyone else had arrived. His neck was practically locked into looking forward, and his right arm is so badly injured, he virtually has no range of motion.
Tongue and pulse weren't as important in this case, as he mostly had very severe qi and blood stagnation due to trauma, but he did report that he felt cold, mostly. However, treatment focused on freeing qi and blood, and relieving his muscles.
Following the protocols in Callison's book, I mostly needled for the motor points of the trapezius (GB 21) and the splenius muscles (SI 16) on his right side. After, I needled a lot of GB points as he lay supine, including GB 41, 34, 23, and GB 8 threaded toward 9.
After treatment, the patient was able to move rotate his head a considerable degree more, but still not fully. He was advised to come in again early the next day so that treatment could continue in the same vane.
Sunday, January 8, 2012
Dangerous Precedents
Recently, Congress has taken up a bill called the Enemy Expatriation Act. Joe Lieberman is the sponsor. Essentially, this Act, if passed, would allow the government to strip anyone of their American citizenship, even if they are not convicted of anything. In short, the evil that started with the Patriot Act, continued with the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) now reaches its apogee with this, the EEA.
It's been a long time coming, the extreme right wing's wet dream of creating a police state here in America. While the Arab world revolts, and throws off its chains, American politicians are trying to got the opposite direction and forge chains for Americans. Why Evil Joe Lieb hates America so much is a mystery, but what he's doing is nothing less than treason. The protections in the U.S. Constitution apply to every American. What Joe and his ilk are trying to do is do an end-run around that by simply re-defining what an American is.
This has to be fought, by everyone, no matter what your political affiliation. This act will do nothing to make people safer; in point of fact, it will put people in danger from their own government. Any government which tries to stop up protest, expression, and transparency has lost the "Mandate of Heaven" so to speak. The Mandarins in charge in D.C. know this full well, and this is why they are acting to strip and gut the Constitutional rights of every citizen.
My friends, act. Act now. Act forcefully. Do not allow the passage of this bill. If it does pass, fight it with every ounce of your being. Do it before the standard issue jackboots come to kick in your door.
It's been a long time coming, the extreme right wing's wet dream of creating a police state here in America. While the Arab world revolts, and throws off its chains, American politicians are trying to got the opposite direction and forge chains for Americans. Why Evil Joe Lieb hates America so much is a mystery, but what he's doing is nothing less than treason. The protections in the U.S. Constitution apply to every American. What Joe and his ilk are trying to do is do an end-run around that by simply re-defining what an American is.
This has to be fought, by everyone, no matter what your political affiliation. This act will do nothing to make people safer; in point of fact, it will put people in danger from their own government. Any government which tries to stop up protest, expression, and transparency has lost the "Mandate of Heaven" so to speak. The Mandarins in charge in D.C. know this full well, and this is why they are acting to strip and gut the Constitutional rights of every citizen.
My friends, act. Act now. Act forcefully. Do not allow the passage of this bill. If it does pass, fight it with every ounce of your being. Do it before the standard issue jackboots come to kick in your door.
Saturday, December 3, 2011
Enemies of Peace and Prosperity
In an historic but remarkably unnoticed and under reported piece of
legislation, the United States Senate voted 93-7 to pass the National Defense Authorization Act. As an American, I can only lament that it has
now come to this.
This legislation is perhaps the single most anti-Constitutional law to ever be brought up in the halls of the U.S. Congress. Essentially, the law suspends the right of an American to:
Imagine that you are a fairly vocal American. Imagine that this vocal tendency gets you labeled as a "terrorist" by a few people. That would be enough to allow the United States military to come sweep you up, whisk you away to Guantanamo, and torture you until you confess to your terrorist activities, and give up anyone who may be "conspiring" with you.
This act would abrogate:
Republican Lindsey Graham, of course, doesn't see it that way. What the measure does, Graham said, is “basically say in law for the first time that the homeland is part of the battlefield. It is not unfair to make an American citizen account for the fact that they decided to help Al Qaeda to kill us all and hold them as long as it takes to find intelligence about what may be coming next,” Graham said. “And when they say, ‘I want my lawyer,’ you tell them, ‘Shut up. You don’t get a lawyer.’”
Americans unable to get a lawyer? If you want to make a citizen of the United States account for an act they have done, bring them to trial. Get a judge to sign off on a warrant. Most of all, follow due process. During the Clinton administration, the World Trace Center was attacked. ALL of the perpetrators were captured, tried, and convicted, without any recourse to such extra-Constitutional powers. They were unnecessary then. They are unnecessary now.
America was attacked from without on September 11, 2001. Let us not use that as an excuse to allow ourselves to be attacked from within. Please, help fight against this legislation. It is the duty of every American citizen.
This legislation is perhaps the single most anti-Constitutional law to ever be brought up in the halls of the U.S. Congress. Essentially, the law suspends the right of an American to:
- A fair trial.
- To be secure from illegal search and seizure.
- To know one's accuser and charges.
- To have an attorney, and to be able to defend against such charges.
- Free speech.
Imagine that you are a fairly vocal American. Imagine that this vocal tendency gets you labeled as a "terrorist" by a few people. That would be enough to allow the United States military to come sweep you up, whisk you away to Guantanamo, and torture you until you confess to your terrorist activities, and give up anyone who may be "conspiring" with you.
This act would abrogate:
- The First Amendment, which guarantees free speech, the right to assembly, and freedom to information.
- The Fourth Amendment, which guarantees freedom from illegal search and seizure.
- Posse Comitatus, which bars the use of federal troops from policing and enforcing the laws of the land.
Republican Lindsey Graham, of course, doesn't see it that way. What the measure does, Graham said, is “basically say in law for the first time that the homeland is part of the battlefield. It is not unfair to make an American citizen account for the fact that they decided to help Al Qaeda to kill us all and hold them as long as it takes to find intelligence about what may be coming next,” Graham said. “And when they say, ‘I want my lawyer,’ you tell them, ‘Shut up. You don’t get a lawyer.’”
Americans unable to get a lawyer? If you want to make a citizen of the United States account for an act they have done, bring them to trial. Get a judge to sign off on a warrant. Most of all, follow due process. During the Clinton administration, the World Trace Center was attacked. ALL of the perpetrators were captured, tried, and convicted, without any recourse to such extra-Constitutional powers. They were unnecessary then. They are unnecessary now.
America was attacked from without on September 11, 2001. Let us not use that as an excuse to allow ourselves to be attacked from within. Please, help fight against this legislation. It is the duty of every American citizen.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
