Concern over provisions of the National Defense Authorization Act, or NDAA, have run rampant since its passage, with many people wondering how a bill essentially allowing indefinite detention of American citizens without could ever be allowed to pass.
Since then, the grassroots media and liberty advocates have been on guard and kept a watchful eye over lawsuits against the act and have also worked to restore the constitution on all fronts, including this one.
The NDAA may potentially be rearing its ugly head now in the case of U.S. Marine Brandon J. Raub of Richmond, Virginia, who has reportedly been taken by the FBI and Secret Service without explanation. His name has also been reported as Raub Brandon.
The story is only on a handful of lesser-known media outlets right now and hasn’t quite made its way to the more credible alternative press type websites, but it is definitely one to watch as we move forward toward election season and potential stand-offs yet again in the Middle East looming over Iran and Syria.
Brandon’s mother was interviewed by syndicated talk show host Josh Tolley, who said that her son had been questioned about Facebook posts that were deemed terror-related in the past.
Of course, with such broad definitions these days of what terror-related posts might be, even including “Ron Paul supporters” in one definition along with people interested in supposed survival related skills that are actually a smart bet considering the fragile state of the U.S. economy and uncertain times in the world in general.
While President Barack Obama has said before that he won’t use the NDAA provisions, many are skeptical.
“I want to clarify that my Administration will not authorize the indefinite military detention without trial of American citizens,” he said.
Originally, he had threatened a veto but did not follow through with it and instead signed the act “with reservations.”
Brandon meanwhile has served in Iraq and Afghanistan although he is not currently on active duty. His family reportedly are listed as strong believers in the constitution and very patriotic, which means they could well support the libertarian point of view that the government seems to be concerned about in some quarters.
A quick scan of a Facebook page under Brandon’s name shows that he “works for the Ron Paul revolution” and shows him dressed in Marine regalia. Another page of “Brandon J. Raub” has also been shown, including a picture with him holding a gun and “starting the revolution” as well as “telling the government to —- itself.” See the pictures here: http://s8.photobucket.com/albums/a19/grnadmastershek/?action=view¤t=BR7.jpg.
This story is still in the preliminary stages but it will be interesting to see how it unfolds. And of course the big question is whether or not it will unfold at all in the public eye without the usual silence of the corporatized mainstream media, should it end up as an important case.
The former marine’s posts do appear to have the potential to be perceived as a threat if they are indeed true, but questions over how the raid was conducted will continue to linger until they are cleaned up and examined in detail.
Nicholas Tomasi is an AP-Award winning journalist and author turned health researcher. He currently runs AltHealthWORKS, a website dedicated to organic food and the GMO-free movement.
