Letter to the Editor:

For years, we have seen in other countries where their governments are able to arrest someone and hold them as long as they want without letting the arrested person talk to a lawyer, or indeed talk to anyone. These people just disappear. It is sad to say that this is now the law in the United States. Our government has declared Martial law here. They don't call it that, but that's what it is.

The Senate and the House of Representatives have both passed S1867. Part of it allows the U.S. military to arrest ANYONE in this country and detain him or her as long as they want without formal charges and without trial. For more information on this, get on the Internet and use Google (or any other search engine) and type in "S 1867." You will find a lot of information about this bill.

At one time, the sixth amendment to the U.S. Constitution clearly gave citizens the right to a "speedy and public trial." This bill takes that right away. It takes away our right to any trial, or even a phone call. With any luck, this law can be repealed.

We know President Obama supports this, he signed the law. We deserve to know where the Republican presidential candidates stand on this issue.

James Dupont
Berkeley Springs, WV

Comment on this letter through The Grapevine blog.

.