Sherrod Brown makes an unpopular vote...

It appears there are quite a few people unhappy with the discovery that Sherrod Brown voted "Aye" on H R 6166 which is the Military Commissions Act. More info on the actual bill from Washington Post:

The House approved an administration-backed system of questioning and prosecuting terrorism suspects yesterday, setting clearer limits on CIA interrogation techniques but denying access to courts for detainees seeking to challenge their imprisonment at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and elsewhere.

The 253 to 168 vote was a victory for President Bush and fellow Republicans. Bush had yielded some ground during weeks of negotiations, but he fully embraced the language that the House approved with support from 34 Democrats and all but seven Republicans.

However, before people start getting really excited...from the same Washington Post article:

Supporters say the Supreme Court would rule the legislation unconstitutional without a habeas corpus provision, but opponents say the House would balk at the amendment.

Which of course makes one wonder why Congress would spend all of that time on a bill that will most likely end up being declared unconstitituional...but when does logic enter our Congressional Halls.

Sherrod has issued a statement concerning this vote which states in part:

Congressman Brown feels it has taken far too long for a legal framework to be developed – for the innocent who must be freed, the guilty that must be punished, and our homeland which must be secured.

That's a nice sentiment but if it ends up that this bill is unconstitutional then it was pretty much a waste of time regardless of which side of this issue you are on. If you are wondering about Ted Strickland? He didn't vote on the bill.

:-)

Update: This has already created a new website, Democrats for Torture...