The Congress almost handed President Obama Dictatorial Powers

Should the government have the right to detain an American citizen indefinitely without trial until Congress declares an end to the war on terror? If a citizen is arrested and found not guilty should the government still have the right to detain him indefinitely until Congress declares an end to hostilities? As I became aware of this pending legislation which would give the government the power to do just that, I was appalled. That is counter to all of our constitutional protections. This would have handed the President the power to become a dictator.

At one time, President Obama called the tea party "terrorist." Sure, that may have been nothing more than political rhetoric, but if this bill would have passed, the simple allegation of being a terrorist would have been enough to detain one indefinitely. Should this president or any president be given that kind of power?

We are not talking about foreigners captured on the battlefield, we are talking about American citizens. I do not think constitutional rights should be extended to foreign nationals, but American citizens only suspected of a crime?

This amendment which would have permitted the indefinite detention of Americans suspected of terrorism would have passed if not for the action of Sen. Rand Paul. Armed Services Committee Chairman Carl Levin (D-Mich,), with the agreement of Committee Vice Chairman John McCain (R-Ariz.)attempted to swiftly pass the amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal 2012, by unanimous consent. The amendment would have passed by voice vote, but was blocked by Sen. Rand Paul's objection. He then forced a roll call vote, in which the amendment was defeated, 41-59.

Our freedom are very fragile. We almost lost a very basic freedom.

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