world

i was out with Chris to meet Brendon of BGWGuitars. tried out a few Taylors, a couple of McPhersons and a few Martins. i want a McPherson. the sound is beautiful. it sounds even nicer than Daryl’s Breedlove. heh. the price is also very nice. it costs a minimum of six grand pre-owned. won’t be getting one at the moment. won’t be able to afford it.

this is interesting. according to the article, President Bush was given the power to “use all necessary and appropriate force” against anyone involved in planning, aiding or carrying out the attacks after Congress has unanimously passed the Authorization for Use of Military Force (AUMF).

i’m not really someone who actually read about american politics or such. i don’t really give a shit about President Bush or who’s going to win the upcoming presidential campaign. (Obama? Hillary?) just make sure whatever happens, my iPods, my McDees and such stuffs keep flowing. however, i am interested to know though, “if enemy combatants can be detained in the U.S., how long can they be held without charge? Without lawyers? Without access to the outside world? Forever?”

interestingly, Singapore does have something similar to the AUMF. it’s called the Internal Security Act. however, it does have certain provisions.

Power to order detention.
8. —(1) If the President is satisfied with respect to any person that, with a view to preventing that person from acting in any manner prejudicial to the security of Singapore or any part thereof or to the maintenance of public order or essential services therein, it is necessary to do so, the Minister shall make an order —

(a) directing that such person be detained for any period not exceeding two years; or

(b) for all or any of the following purposes:

(i) for imposing upon that person such restrictions as may be specified in the order in respect of his activities and the places of his residence and employment;

(ii) for prohibiting him from being out of doors between such hours as may be specified in the order, except under the authority of a written permit granted by such authority or person as may be so specified;

(iii) for requiring him to notify his movements in such manner at such times and to such authority or person as may be specified in the order;

(iv) for prohibiting him from addressing public meetings or from holding office in, or taking part in the activities of or acting as adviser to any organisation or association, or from taking part in any political activities;

(v) for prohibiting him from travelling beyond the limits of Singapore or any part thereof specified in the order except in accordance with permission given to him by such authority or person as may be specified in such order,

and any order made under paragraph (b) shall be for such period, not exceeding two years, as may be specified therein, and may by such order be required to be supported by a bond.
- source (Singapore Statues Online)

i shall end with a passage from the article.

“The president is not a king and cannot lock people up forever in the United States based on his say-so,” said Jonathan Hafetz, a lawyer who represents al-Marri and other detainees. “Today it’s Mr. al-Marri. Tomorrow it could be you, a member of your family, someone you know. Once you allow the president to lock people up for years or even life without trial, there’s no going back.

- yahoo!