An Open Letter to Representative Brad Miller

Mr. Miller,

I am writing you today to let you know how disappointed I am in your decision to both vote in favor of allowing the indefinite detention of American citizens while preventing them any recourse or due process, as well as your vote to prevent members of the public from being able to scrutinize Congressional meetings regarding H.R. 1540.

H.R. 1540 is one of the largest assaults on civil liberties in our nation's history. The idea that an American citizen should be able to be held indefinitely without access to due process is simply unconscionable, regardless of the charges against them. It goes against the principles this nation was founded on, common sense, and a strong legal tradition dating back centuries.

As a nation we have always managed to deal with threats to our national security while maintaining protections for civil liberties. Those past instances where we have abandoned them in the name of fear, as with the internment of Japanese Americans, have become stains on our nation's reputation and commitment to justice. With the benefit of hindsight, we look back upon them with shame, wondering what those involved could have been thinking.

It pains me to see another shameful chapter in our history beginning to take shape now, and it frustrates me that someone like you, who I believed would represent me well in Congress, who I actively supported, has taken a stance which is clearly on the wrong side of this extremely important issue.

Your decision to vote for the bill is indefensible, but your decision to vote in favor of closing the meetings to members of the public is simply shameful.

The public have a right to know what was said by our representatives at those meetings, and your recent legislative decisions have made me lose both respect for and trust in your ability to represent me.

Disappointed,

Ken Norman
Constituent, North Carolina 13th