The increasing erosion of our constitutions, civil rights and democracies as they are being gradually subjugated by Authoritarian Security Surveillance States. The bloating no-fly lists and terrorist watch-lists. The continuing inhumane and barbaric renditions, "enhanced interrogations" and indefinite detentions - of children, teenagers and adults alike. The continuing standing of Military Commissions, which are nothing more than politically-driven, rigged, kangaroo courts. The seemingly unending wars of choice and occupation in Afghanistan and Iraq - both based on lies to justify a vengeance operation for 9/11 and the securing of foreign oil resources. The ever mounting toll of civilian deaths, displaced refugees and soldier casualties.

This is the overall state of things today with regards to our so-called "Western civilization" - especially with regards to the U.S.A., the U.K. and Canada.

Guantanamo Bay - "Honor Bound to Defend Freedom"?

Today the U.S. Supreme Court delivered a stinging rebuke to the Bush-Cheney Administration's handling of military detainees at Guantanamo Bay -- while vindicating you, me, and thousands of others who have spoken out against the Administration's unwise and unconstitutional policies from the very beginning.

Attorney General Alberto Gonzales finally announced his resignation  today after meeting with the president at his ranch in Crawford Texas. This time there was no "spend time with family" excuse given. The reasons for his departure were obvious to everyone except the president. This was his reaction:

Jose Padilla, center, is escorted to a waiting police vechicle by federal marshals in this Jan. 5, 2006, file photo. He has been on trial in Miami for most of this year, charged with conspiring with al Qaeda to detonate a "dirty bomb" in the United States. Photo by J. Pat Carter, AP

Considering the newly released information regarding the Arar affair, which intimately implicates CSIS and the RCMP, coupled with the recent history of the government of the U.S.A. in conducting illegal spying and monitoring activities, in addition to the recent gutting of FISA, this Canadian citizen asks the questions which no one is apparently asking, such as to what extent are we Canadians being illegally spied upon and monitored by the CIA, FBI and NSA, with the complicit consent of the RCMP, CSIS and the CSE - if not of our own government?

Dear Blue Dog,

Thank you for replying to my comment about Habeas Corpus. But what I don't get out of your reply is where you stand on restoring Habeas Corpus. Please tell me, are you for it or against it?