Three notes:
FIRST:
It's not just a law that makes persons born in the United States citizens, it's the United States Constitution itself:
Quote:
Amendment XIV
Section 1. All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the state wherein they reside.
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And that is the document I took an oath many years ago to preserve, protect, and defend.
Whatever Padilla may have done or failed to do, he is at this time a United States citizen, with all of the rights and duties of a citizen.
SECOND:
If the Justice Department is allowed to seize an American citizen, within the United States itself, and hold him without a trial, without an attorney, or review by any court, then we might as well call off the election to be held the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November. The president can simply declare Kerry, Dean, Edwards, yes, even General Clark "enemy combatants" and lock them up incommunicado. After all, they pose a clear and present danger to the continued exercise of the president's authority as chief executive, right?
THIRD:
I don't think anyone can challenge my devotion to the United States (after 28 years of military service) but I'll probably anger some with my last observation:
John F. Kennedy was wrong when he said "Ask not what your country can do for you, ask rather, what you can do for your county."Adolf Hitler, Chairman Mao, and Joseph Stalin could not have said it better.
Americans would reject Kennedy's words if only slightly reprased: "Government does not exist to serve the people, the people exist to serve the government!"
What is the government here for if not to serve us? I have no problems informing an elected official that he is a public servant, he works for me, I don't work for him. That includes the President and the Attorney General.
Reaper: Great quote / great post. The message of the Spartans is reflected in a memorial for Viet Nam dead in the 2d Brigade area of Ft. Campbell:
"Traveler, if you go to the land of the Spartans, tell them we lie here, still obedient to their laws. Do not forget us, for only then will we truly have died."