Ideal System...Schiavo as an illustration

[elwoodblues]

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"The Bill of Attainder Clause was intended not as a narrow, technical (and therefore soon to be outmoded) prohibition, but rather as an implementation of the separation of powers, a general safeguard against legislative exercise of the judicial function or more simply - trial by legislature."

[/ QUOTE ]

This is probably true. However, the founding fathers could have (should have) used broader language if that's what they wanted to implement. Instead they chose a narrow term with a narrow definition.