It’s great to see so many productions still championing Final Cut Pro 7. It’s a great piece of software that will be regarded so in history. In the meantime, I’m curious if anyone is forking this application. I am up for starting a fork if anyone wants to join me. Let me know.
Chris M. Gordon

Chris M. Gordon - Film Editor

Welcome 2012.

Last year, about this same time, I was anticipating a great year to happen. Well, I learned a lot last year. One of the lessons I learned was not to wait for something great to just happen. Instead, it’s best to actively participate in making things happen. This participation thing, I learned, quite dramatically, increases the probability of things happening. Additionally, it can teach new skills in a variety of disciplines, when one has an open mind.

So this year, I was thinking, it would be great to inspire Congress to remove the citizen detainment sections of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) of 2012 that president Obama just signed into law on December 31. Yes, this would be awesome. This was, in fact, such a great thought that I immediately began brainstorming the whole plan through.

In assessing what needs to happen to make this happen, however, a great question occurs to me. In fact, it’s one many others are scratching their heads over too. Why did Congress pass this US citizen detainment section into law? Based on my research, and experience, there is no need for US citizen detainment by the US military, currently, or in the future. Many of my friends are having similar thoughts. But, again, learning from last year, instead of waiting, whining, or bemoaning, I’ll just move along, like a gentile brook jumping towards the stream.

So, thank you 2011 for all the lessons, though hard some may be. Let us all learn from our mistakes. Happy 2012!

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Chris M. Gordon - Film Editor

NDAA of 2012 Signed, Sealed, and Delivered by Congress to the President.

Congress delivered the National Defense Authorization Act of 2012 to the steps of the White House on December 21. The timing seems intentional. By congressional procedure, after ten days, without a veto, the bill becomes law with, or without, the President’s signature (The signature is largely ceremonious after the ten day waiting period). President Obama is in Hawaii on vacation. The NDAA of 2012 will become law by default midnight 12-31-2011.

The “detain US citizens” section of the current NDAA reads differently than it did a few weeks ago. Note that a variety of groups from both major parties, and many independent souls, did bring a heap of grassroots political pressure to the hill during the past few weeks against the “US citizen detainment” authorization in the bill. Congress has since soften the language around the issue of the military being authorized to detain US citizens. See Sections 1022 through 1034.

Section 1024, however, remains very disturbing. Section 1024 of the NDAA of 2012 allows the Secretary of Defense to change the rules in the ‘detain persons’ sections at anytime, as long as he notifies Congress within 60 days. This “smells” bad. This is worse than before, and thus easily qualifies for a Presidential veto. Unless, circumventing the US Constitution is the intention. This clause violates the Bill of Rights, upsets the separation of powers, and puts the military above all three branches of government. In most other countries, we usually call this a military coup, albeit a non-violent one. A non-violent coup is dangerous in that most people being ruled do not see it happen. Edward Luttwak, a military historian, defines a coup simply as follows, “A coup consists of the infiltration of a small, but critical, segment of the state apparatus, which is then used to displace the government from its control of the remainder.”

National Defense Authorization Act of Fiscal 2012, Section 1022, does contain this phrase:

“The requirement to detain a person in military custody under this section does not extend to citizens of the United States.”

Section 1021, however, does not contain this phrase. Nor does Section 1024. This missing is significant if you catch the “under this section” phrase in the above excerpt. The “detainee” discussion in the bill is divided into multiple sections.

So, the people’s voices were heard. But we can not claim victory for the people. Moreover, it must be noted, and cannot be denied in light of this bill, that there is an embolden effort by groups associated with the US military and law enforcement, likely profit driven, to circumvent the constitutional rights of US citizens (Detainment centers make billions of dollars per year off of people being detain). Not to mention the misguided, power hungry individuals who might be behind this push. These people are known throughout world history to achieve power at interesting times. So we must continue to be vigilant, and willing, in a forthright way, to take a stand for our natural born freedoms, and not give into fear.

FYI, most of the NDAA of fiscal 2012 is a highly important, functional military authorization document that provides a great many needed items and guidance to the military. The detainee sections should not have been added to this bill. They were likely added because there is no way they would get passed on their own. The parties responsible probably took a gambled that the sections would pass if tucked away neatly inside the NDAA. It’s a great gamble when facing bendable opposition. They were right. The bill passed.

The great people of Montana did not put up with this bill, however. They have launched recall efforts against their Senators who passed the NDAA bill.

Leaders who undermine the US Constitution should be voted out of office. Period. Especially, if they have assumed office by swearing to protect it. No exceptions. It’s our duty as citizens to enforce this.

I am beginning to understand why they occupy.

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Chris M. Gordon - Film Editor

Dear President Obama,

This week, a bill may arrive on your desk called the National Defense Authorization Act of 2012. I am requesting that you not sign this legislation for it contains a clause that allows the military to detain US citizens without a trial and hold them indefinitely. This clause in the NDAA for 2012 will do great harm to our democracy. This section of the bill is unconstitutional, and it’s easy to predict that it will be greatly abused. Today, Dec 12, 2011, Congress negotiated quietly to pass this bill with very small changes. But I quote Donna Cassata of the Associated Press… “The legislation would deny suspected terrorists, even U.S. citizens seized within the nation’s borders, the right to trial and subject them to indefinite detention. The lawmakers made no changes to that language.”

So please do not be lured into signing this bill. Even though many newspapers are all quiet about this this week. Even though the people of the United States are largely unaware of this bill as they prepare for the holidays. The people will eventually learn the truth, and they will be angry. And, likely, hopefully at least, hold those who pass this bill accountable with their votes during the next election.

So please do not fall into this Republican trap. Do not worry about not having reached a budget deal. Do not worry about Republican name calling. Let them belly ache away. Veto the heck out of this bill! Republican name calling for not passing this defense bill will not hold any weight during the next election if you save our civil freedoms. And certainly, most importantly, remember, even if they have enough votes to override a veto, and I suspect that they might this time, you must veto anyway. Do not worry about them reversing you publicly and your image and all that. Let that go. Do not let them brow beat you into signing the bill. We, the public, can deal with this legislation better if there is more publicity. Let them reverse away. The furor will cause a feast for the next election cycle, and US citizens will eat well. So, if you believe in Democracy, please do not sign this bill until Congress changes the clause about the US military being allowed to detain US citizens. This clause is an irreversible mistake. Irreversible.

I understand that the Office of the President would like to send everyone home for the holidays with a neatly passed budget, but your office will be violently raping democracy, and then smiling shaking and hands with Democrats and Republicans over the event as if it is the best thing for the people. It is not the best thing for the people. Please do not allow yourself to believe this in any way shape or form. Don’t be lured into thinking that we need, or that you must sign this military defense budget with this clause that destroys our public trust and violates our liberties. We do not need to exchange our beloved Constitution for dictatorial or fascist military rule in order to preserve our “security,”or, for a timely budget. In fact, giving into military rule is a process of giving up our security, and for what in return?

If this situation you are in, being our leader, and I understand that it may not always be a fun one, if this test your character, makes you think hard, makes you even nervous at times, these are all good signs. Please allow me to advise: Pray/Meditate about it. Talk to people outside of the government, the ones who elected you. Be very brave, and make the right decision. Let us remember you for doing great things for the people of our beautiful country.

Sincerely and with great respect,

Chris M. Gordon, a deeply concerned citizen

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Chris M. Gordon - Film Editor

The National Defense Authorization Act of 2012  is currently being negotiated in the House of Representatives and appears as though it is going to pass both houses of Congress. It contains a clause allowing the US military to detain US citizens that they deem “terrorists” without a trial or court review. That clause gives the military jurisdiction over the US population. This is Unconstitutional and wrong. This is also, obviously, a very important and potentially dangerous issue. I have contacted the LA Times and ask why they are not reporting about this. I am waiting for their reply.

I emailed Senator Al Franken and asked why he signed onto the bill. I will be excited to read his reply. Thumbs up to Senator Feinstein who tried to remove this clause with an amendment in the Senate. I encourage people to take a stand against this bill.

Related Posts

• Happy 2012!
• NDAA of 2012 will become law by default midnight 12-31-2011
• Open Letter to President Obama on NDAA

Chris M. Gordon - Film Editor