For the measure sets forth clearly that the designation of an "enemy combatant" is left solely to the executive branch; neither Congress nor the courts have any say in the matter. When this new law is coupled with the existing "Executive Orders" authorizing "lethal force" against arbitrarily designated "enemy combatants," it becomes, quite literally, a license to kill - with the seal of Congressional approval.

    How arbitrary is this process by which all our lives and liberties are now governed? Dave Niewert at Orcinus has unearthed a remarkable admission of its totally capricious nature. In an December 2002 story in the Washington Post, then-Solicitor General Ted Olson described the anarchy at the heart of the process with admirable frankness:

    "[There is no] requirement that the executive branch spell out its criteria for determining who qualifies as an enemy combatant," Olson argues.

    "'There won't be 10 rules that trigger this or 10 rules that end this,' Olson said in the interview. 'There will be judgments and instincts and evaluations and implementations that have to be made by the executive that are probably going to be different from day to day, depending on the circumstances.'"

    In other words, what is safe to do or say today might imperil your freedom or your life tomorrow. You can never know if you are on the right side of the law, because the "law" is merely the whim of the Leader and his minions: their "instincts" determine your guilt or innocence, and these flutterings in the gut can change from day to day. This radical uncertainty is the very essence of despotism - and it is now, formally and officially, the guiding principle of the United States government.

Orwell would be grimly satisfied, one supposes, at seeing his predictions come true.

The US has been sliding steadily towards tinpot dictatorship for some years;  now it appears to have qualified to join the club of tyrannies.  The Executive Branch appoints itself judge, jury, and executioner.  Don Giorgi can order a hit anywhere on the planet at his whim.  "By my order and for the good of the State, the bearer has done what has been done."

I am not posting much lately due to despair.  There was no meaningful opposition in the US legislature as Magna Carta was tossed out the window -- 800+ years of juridical precedent, byebye.  The arbitrary bullyism of TSA is merely a symptom.  The rot goes all the way to the top.

The difference between theory and practise in practise ...