← Back to context

Comment by polski-g

2 hours ago

The DOW should (and does) have ability to do anything and everything that Congress has said they can do.

7 comments

polski-g

Reply
AnthonyMouse  1 hour ago

So, for example, if Congress says the military can require the entire domestic population to be Catholic and kill anyone who isn't... ?

That's not how it works.

  • roenxi  21 minutes ago

    Congress can do that, can't it? Why can't it? It could declare all competing religions as terrorist organisations.

    Obviously it'd be immoral, unorthadox and impractical but I expect Congress has a long history of promoting and stamping out ideologies and they can do it. What little I know about the civil rights era springs to mind.

  • zahlman  1 hour ago

    It actually is, and this is why there are separate judicial, executive and legislative branches to put those checks and balances on each other instead.

    • AnthonyMouse  1 hour ago

      Your argument is that if Congress passes a law that says the military can summarily execute non-Catholics, the military should have the ability to do that, i.e. the courts or the public shouldn't stop them?

      > Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

      > No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the militia, when in actual service in time of war or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use without just compensation.

      Example chosen specifically for its unambiguous unconstitutionality.

      2 replies →