2006-09-11 17:52:35 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Government
If the plain text meaning of "person" or "accused" does not apply to everyone, then it applies to nobody.
If the government can decide that a criminal is not a "person", and thus deserves no 5th Amendment protections, then the word "person" is meaningless.
If the government can claim that someone locked up for years and being put on trial with a possible sentence of death does not count as an "accused", then the word is meaningless.
Once the government can ignore the Constitution at will, just by arbitrarily declaring people outside the protection of the laws, without any trial and without due process -- once the government is no longer required to follow the laws, then nobody is protected by them.
2006-09-11 17:54:59 · answer #1 · answered by coragryph 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The Constitution by its terms applies differently to different classes of people present in America, and still differently to its own citizens abroad.
That is just the way it is. The ramifications would take a Con Law class to discuss.
2006-09-12 00:54:44 · answer #2 · answered by DAR 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It hasn't applied to everyone in the past (those not white male property owners) and it won't apply to everyone in the future (the future is now, ha ha).
We just have to sort it out as it happens and trust that things will get better in time. That's why we have the amendment process.
2006-09-12 02:53:09 · answer #3 · answered by Comrade Wolf 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
there are no ramifacations ok. only AMERICANS are under the constitution ok. no french no germans no iraquis and damn sure no terrorists from the middle east. they are not due the constitution or the geneva convention . abu-graib and guantinimo are not subject to give islamo fasisct any jurisdiction under the geneva convention. get that through your head DEMOCRATS.
2006-09-12 01:03:13 · answer #4 · answered by charlesmartinez151 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It only applies to you if you are a citizen of the US obviously not people in other countries or people who come here and break our laws.
2006-09-12 01:18:22 · answer #5 · answered by inzaratha 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
LOOK AROUND YOU! YOU ALREADY KNOW WHAT THE 'RAMIFICATIONS' ARE!
YOU SEE THEM EVERYDAY!
THE QUESTION IS: WHAT ARE YOU WILLING TO DO?
2006-09-12 01:00:22 · answer #6 · answered by itsmeee2006 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It's just an old piece of paper
2006-09-12 00:54:00 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋