This is a little bit old. But it’s such a wonderful humanitarian gesture toward radicals opposed to the trappings of Western civilization – well, it’s really just heartwarming is what it is: These captives already get to order fast-food……

jonknee on May 21, 2009 at 3:16 PM

If you cared about the law, you would arrive at the conclusion that these people do not enjoy any legal protection beyond what the adminsitration choses to give them. Gitmo is manifestly not illegal.

Someone please tell me what’s so terrible about Gitmo that wouldn’t be worse in any US prison. It’s on an island. Great weather. Every terrorist has his own cell. Three squares a day. Prayer five times a day. Medical care. Did I mention the great weather?

redfoxbluestate on May 21, 2009 at 2:21 PM

Quite simply the lack of legal rights. The administration didn’t want to follow US law, so they thought by stashing them in another country they could have it both ways. The Surpreme Court stepped in recently to put a stop to that, which pretty much invalidates the entire reason for Gitmo.

For all the terrorist-lovers out there, these guys are bound to get worse treatment and conditions in a US prison – not to mention a golden opportunity to radicalize other prisoners. And provide a nice opportunity for their terrorist-friends on the outside to make whatever communities house the baddest of the bad a likely terror target.

So, why again are we closing Gitmo? To appease France et al and the left-wingnuts?

None of us are surprised by your feelings on this so no need to go “on the record”. Just like I am pretty sure you disagree with the dropping of the atomic bomb. Everyone of your political ilk jumps with glee at the chance to question any of America’s past questionable actions. It is simply the next iteration of “I hate my dad” syndrome.

ClassicCon on May 21, 2009 at 12:39 PM

No, I agree with dropping the bomb. It was a terrible thing, but I think the better of two evils. You have no idea what my “political ilk” is thank you very much.

Remember, three of them hung themselves rather than be tortured anymore.

strangelet on May 20, 2009 at 6:24 PM

Yeah, because we know that side would NEVER commit suicide to further their cause or propaganda.

I’m SHOCKED it worked so easily on you. Not really…

strangelet on May 20, 2009 at 6:24 PM

Maybe they were suffering depression and remorse for their evil ways and decided to do us all a favor.

For the record I find the internment of Japanese Americans a sad part of our nation’s history. We were at war with Japan at the time, but it’s still inexcusable.

jonknee on May 21, 2009 at 1:01 AM

Such hindsight bravery and childish moral superiority from the generation whose hardest decision in life is to supersize or not.

None of us are surprised by your feelings on this so no need to go “on the record”. Just like I am pretty sure you disagree with the dropping of the atomic bomb. Everyone of your political ilk jumps with glee at the chance to question any of America’s past questionable actions. It is simply the next iteration of “I hate my dad” syndrome.

A very successful covert operation.

Fed45 on May 21, 2009 at 11:15 AM

If it were very successful we would have never known about it. It was very sloppy and as such there are arrest warrants for 20 CIA agents. Needless publicity.

I am waiting for a response.

Turtler on May 21, 2009 at 11:07 AM

You seem like a reasonable guy, but I think our difference is that I willingly hold my country to a higher standard. I think we can learn from our mistakes, but to do that we have to actually call them mistakes and hold those responsible to the fire. It’s because I love this country that I care so dearly about what it does in my name. It sounds like you believe in the general goodness of America (as do I!) and as such are willing to ignore its failings (I am not). We are a great country but we can do better. That’s my angle.

Case in point I think looking for legal loopholes to not have to assign prisoners rights is wrong. It may not be illegal, but it’s wrong. This is America, we are the ones that give everyone a fair shake as best we can. Justice will prevail in the end. That goodness will not be reciprocated by our enemies, but that’s not the point. If you’re not better than your enemies then you are part of the problem. I believe founding fathers really did mean what they said too, it’s un-American to deny human rights.

But anyway, thanks for your response. As I said, you sound like a reasonable guy and a patriot at that. I’m not sure if you’ll believe it, but I’d like to think I have both of those qualities as well.

The CIA snatched up an Egyptian citizen in Milan without the knowledge/permission of Italian authorities. It was something right out of the movies–a van rolls up and people in masks hop out and spray chemicals in his face and stuff him into the van.

What do you call that?

jonknee on May 20, 2009 at 7:14 PM

A very successful covert operation.

I am waiting for a response.

What gets me is people claim that terrorists deserve to be treated as uniformed soldiers would according to the Geneva Convention. But these same people want to release photos from Abu Grhaib(spelling?). And correct me if I’m wrong, but doesn’t the Geneva Convention prevent photos of POW’s from being released?

jeffn21 on May 21, 2009 at 9:29 AM

That’s because people who use the Geneva Conventions as a club have never actually read it.

Why not, doesn’t the Declaration of Independence state that all men are created equal?

What if American citizens were captured by a foreign government and held without charge? Would you be upset? It’s happened before (Iran hostages come to mind) and caused international outrage.

jonknee on May 20, 2009 at 8:03 PM

1) You’re arguing that there’s no such thing as citizenship. American laws apply to Americans. If the world agreed to abide by the U.S. Constitution, then maybe you’d be right.

2) The Iranian hostages weren’t trying to commit acts of terrorism. If they had been plotting to kill Iranians, then they would’ve deserved the public beheadings they’d have gotten.

I know it’s hard to believe, but the US went into foreign countries and took people in the middle of the night. Black ops, their families had no idea what happened. The US held these people for years and then sometimes released them. All without a formal charge. That’s textbook kidnapping. Here’s an example:

Man,Dude! You say that as if it were a bad thing!

Ah, yes. The ACLU is such an unbiased, neutral source.

[File under the heading Obama Attacks America.]

The Democrats enemies: Those nasty tea party people

The Republicans enemies: They don’t have enemies, they just want to be the good guys.

It is a sad day when the only real Republicans to stand up are Dick Cheney and Rush Limbaugh. And this is no slam on either man, but rather on the namby pamby moderates that are diluting the party.

What we need to realize is that mealy mouthed politicians like McCain and Graham are not the future for the Republican party.

People want to hear truth, not moderation.

everybody is afraid of Obama’s wrath except

those with little to lose anyway?
those with everything to lose if they don’t speak up?
Strength in numbers, even if not in unified specific determination, AT LEAST not deaf, mute, and cruel.

Don’t cower before a bully. The whoopin’ won’t feel any better, cowardice certainly instigates the whoopin’ sooner, and you’ll miss every opportunity to defend yourself. Keep eye contact with the opponent, and never let down your guard. ALL opponents have their weaknesses, too. Go figure now, because there’s no getting around looming confrontation forever. Brown shirts, Black shirts, Red Scarfs, Green shirts, cruel perversions NOT to be ignored. They don’t just go away.