Write a reflective response (4-5 sentences each) to each of the three prompts below.
1. Former
Supreme Court Justice William O. Douglas once said, "Restriction of free
thought and free speech is the most dangerous of all subversions. It is the one
un-American act that could most easily defeat us." Reflect on this
statement and whether or not you agree or disagree with Justice Douglas.
2. The right to privacy has been behind some of the most controversial Supreme Court decisions of the last century. Is privacy one of the rights granted in the U.S. Constitution even though it is not specifically spelled out? If it's not spelled out, where does this right come from?
3. Salim Hamdan, a driver employed by Osama bin Laden, spent more than seven years in United States custody because he was suspected of terrorist activities. Hamdan was eventually reunited with his family on January 8, 2009, after a more than seven year long detention. Human rights organizations continue to criticize the U.S. government for its treatment of Hamdan and other non-citizen prisoners, asserting that everyone is entitled to the fundamental legal protections provided by the U.S. Constitution. Should terrorism suspects be tried in civilian courts (Rather than military tribunals) so that their civil liberties can be protected by the U.S. Constitution?
To add your reply, click "add a new discussion topic," type your response to each of the questions, and then make sure to click "post to forum." Then, check out some of your fellow classmate's responses and make sure to reply (as discussed in the syllabus) to at least two of your classmates' responses before 6/11.
2- The Supreme Court did not specifically recognize the existence of the “right of privacy” until 1965. However, funny enough this constitutional right is not mentioned in the Constitution. Amendment nine is the strongest identifier of the “right to privacy”. This amendment led way to the identification of rights not specifically identified in the constitution. Another example to privacy that is not spelled out specifically is the fourth amendment: illegal searches and seizures. This amendment basically says that an individual’s security in several aspects shall not be violated unless there is a probable cause supported by the Oath.
3- I think every person whether they are an American citizen or not should be treated with respect. However, I believe that if an individual who is not a citizen of the USA acts in a malicious manner that puts American citizens at risk, then they should not be tried in the civilian court. A citizen of the United States is protected by the constitution though and therefore I believe should be tried in a civilian court. I believe this because they are innocent until proven guilty.
I also agree that even though our constitution do not state anything about rights to privacy, a bunch of amendments and other laws states things that connect to privacy.