LETTER: Something wrong about proposed terrorist act Sep 17, 2008
According to Black s Law Dictionary, a bill of attainder is a legislative act which applies either to named individuals, or to easily ascertainable members of a group, in such a way as to inflict punishment upon them without a judicial trial ... Taking away a person s constitutional right simply by naming them is a bill of attainder. (Mattoon Journal-Gazette, IL)
LETTER: Reader says enough is enough Aug 15, 2008
Does anybody recall that our Constitution states in Article I Section 9 that [n]o Bill of Attainder or ex post facto Law shall be passed. How are we viewed by the rest of the world when we (through our representatives in government) decide that rights belong only to us and not to any of our brethren that our rulers disagree with. (DeKalb Daily Chronicle, IL)
Trudging Through Augh-ust Aug 12, 2008
No bill of attainder or ex post facto Law shall be passed ... No state shall enter into any treaty, alliance, or confederation; grant letters of marque and reprisal; coin money; emit bills of credit; make anything but gold and silver coin a tender in payment of debts; pass any bill of attainder, ex post facto law, or law impairing the obligation of contracts, or grant any title of nobility. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- Sports)
Bouschor back on the ballot Mar 27, 2008
The ban was an illegal bill of attainder' as applied to Bouschor and two other Tribal members because it deprived them of the right to seek Tribal office, said Shagen ... Shagen explained bill of attainder is a legislative act that directs punishment of a particular person without a judicial trial and is prohibited by both the U.S. and Tribal constitutions. (Sault Ste Marie Evening News, MI)
Paye/Tigar: New Form of State Oct 8, 2007
This is a classic bill of attainder, forbidden by the Constitution. For example, in United States v. Brown, the Supreme Court struck down a statute that made it a crime for a member of the Communist Party to hold a labor union office, because the statute created a class of suspect persons and singled them out for punishment without requiring a judicial trial to decide if they had done any particular wrongful acts. (Zmag.org)
Congress on the Constitution: "Tell it to the Judge" May 1, 2007
Congresss H.R. 6 could be a final Constitutional Law examination so replete is it with infirmities such as breach of contract, takings without just compensation, denial of equal protection and due process, and a bill of attainder ... Congresss H.R. 6 could be a final Constitutional Law examination so replete is it with infirmities such as breach of contract, takings without just compensation, denial of equal protection and due process, and a bill of attainder. (Townhall.com)
'How can you have a life? Mar 20, 2007
pass any Bill of Attainder; (or) ex post facto law. " A Bill of Attainder is an act of a legislature to inflict capital punishment on a person supposed to be guilty of "high crimes" such as treason or felony without a conviction by the regular judicial system. If the act inflicts a non-capital punishment it is a "Bill of Pains and Penalties" but it is also prohibited by Art. 1, Sec. 10 of the US Constitution. An ex post facto law is one which is passed after the commission of an act which... (Casper Star-Tribune, WY)
Hettinga's claim Nov 14, 2006
Hein Hettinga's lawsuit is known as a Bill of Attainder complaint. A Bill of Attainder is a legislative act that singles out an individual or group for punishment without a trial. (AZCentral -- News)
Great usurpations Aug 1, 2006
In United States v. Lovett (1946), for instance, President Franklin D. Roosevelt instructed the attorney general to side with the plaintiffs in litigation claiming a statute prohibiting their compensation as government employees because they were deemed "subversive" was an unconstitutional bill of attainder. Congress appointed a special counsel to defend the law. (Washington Times, DC)
Their Fourth Jul 5, 2006
Jefferson prepared a draught of instructions for the delegates, A Summary view of the rights of British America, openly going beyond representation on taxation to independence from England and Parliament threatened a bill of attainder against him. Thus began the Continental Congress, which in its first session declared its rights and grievances, in its second authorized the Continental Army under George Washington and in its third, on Monday, June 10, 1776, began the debate on a declaration of... (San Diego Union-Tribune -- Opinion)
