Habeus Corpus

United States Constitution
Article One, Section Nine:

"The privilege of the writ of habeas corpus shall not be suspended, unless when in cases of rebellion or invasion the public safety may require it."

(This Latin phrase literally means 'produce the body'. It is an ancient English legal concept that empowers judges to order imprisoned persons to be brought into court to determine if they are being legally held.)

Bush's new terror law protects detainees from blatant abuses during questioning, such as rape, torture and "cruel and inhuman" treatment, but does not require that any of them be granted legal counsel. Also, it specifically bars detainees from filing habeas corpus petitions challenging their detentions in federal courts. Bush said the process is "fair, lawful and necessary."

The American Civil Liberties Union said the new law is "one of the worst civil liberties measures ever enacted in American history."

Source: MSNBC

Keith Olbermann's comments:
Death of Habeas Corpus: “Your words are lies, Sir.”