The Udall Amendment Fails

Nov 29th, 2011
by F. Grey Parker

The vote on Sen. Mark Udall's (D-CO) amendment to stop the draconian Levin/McCain provisions in S 1867, the annual National Defense Appropriations Act, seemed to move almost in slow motion. With no on screen tally, those of us following at home had to keep track as best we could. It was a mercilessly tense process.

Watching so many American Senators, one by one, vote in favor of undermining our core founding principles was not something I ever thought I would live to see.

And yet, there it was.

That the right to a public hearing, trial by jury and the right to confront one's accusers is even subject to debate illustrates just how close our nation has come to destroying itself in the name of "defense."

In the end, the Udall amendment failed. On a 61 to 37 vote, more of the fabric of our freedom was torn apart.

It is time to contact the White House - 202 4561414 - and demand that President Obama veto this atrocity.

As Commander and Chief, he has the power to keep military pay flowing and continue to fund ongoing operations. He is now all that stands between these fear-mongers and the Constitution.