Sen. Robert Portman (R-Ohio), whose name I had never heard of until a few days ago, is reportedly "still viable" as a Vice Presidential nominee -- Mr. Portman could, in other words, be our nation's next VP.

The NDAA, which I've covered in this column in the past, allows for the detention and torture of American citizens on US soil -- without access to a trial or attorney, and without the government bringing formal charges. It's basically a return to the Dark Ages, and wipes out hundreds of years of civil rights progress in the Western world. Portman reportedly voted in favor of it.

Rep. Ron Paul has characterized the NDAA as "martial law," and groups as disparate as the ACLU, Amnesty International and even the FBI have expressed their serious concerns.

OK, very well. Now consider this report from Russian news agency RT, published earlier today: "The National Defense Authorization Act that recently cleared Congress has become a hot topic for debate among average Americans who fear the provisions in the bill that will allow for the US to detain and torture citizens indefinitely. Despite petitions and pleas from coast-to-coast, the legislation passed overwhelmingly. As it turns out, many politicians may be representatives of the people, but their voices are ones bought by corporations. Senator Robert Portman (R-Ohio) not only voted in favor of the NDAA, he also received $272,853 from the special interest groups that backed the bill."

If RT's claims can be independently verified by another news agency, it would be a fairly outrageous connection.

This is the part where you share this article because you're outraged. Or maybe you go back to watching X Factor on your DVR. You know, whichever feels more important to you.

Continue the conversation: I don't write articles every day, but when I do, they are on subjects you should know about. You can follow me on Google+ or on Twitter to see my newest posts and keep in touch.

