[b]First take the guns, then the country[/b]
[url]http://www.washtimes.com/commentary/20011130-31801551.htm[/url]
Anglophiles had best pop over to the Misty Isles for a last
experience of Britain before the country is re-
duced to an oppressed province of the European Union.
Napoleon could not conquer England, nor could Hitler, but
Socialist bureaucrats in Brussels have, with help from Tony
Blair's New Labor and British nonchalance. Britain is on its
way back to the reign of Charles I, with its secret courts and
imprisonment without trial or evidence.
Once-proud Brits are suffering the indignity of being
gradually brought under European law by ministerial edicts that
bypass Parliament. Recently, the British lost their ancient
system of weights and measures, and now they are on the
verge of losing their legal system, the development of which is,
essentially, the history of Britain.
Although willing to be bullied along the path to European
integration, the British steadfastly have held on to their justice
system. And for good reason.
Historically, English law has been a shield of the people,
standing in stark contrast to Europe's Napoleonic criminal law,
which does not safeguard law against its use by government as
a weapon.
English law does not permit police to arrest citizens without
evidence or to hold them more than 48 hours without
presenting charges in open court. [b]The European system
permits police to arrest citizens on suspicion and to detain them
indefinitely while preparing a case against them.
Moreover, the accused European has no right to see the
evidence against him, no right to a jury trial and no right to an
open court. His case is decided by a professional judge, whose
career and advancement is dependent on the state that brings
the case.
Under European law, there is no presumption of innocence
or protection against double jeopardy. The accused can be
subjected to repeated trials on the same charges until the state
wins a guilty verdict.[/b]