Gitmo Trial Acquittal? “I’m not going to get into hypotheticals" - Reuters »
Posted By gamahuche 5 months, 2 weeks ago in NewsThe Obama administration doesn't want to talk about what might happen if a New York court acquits a Guantanamo Bay terrorism suspect.
Ahmed Khalfan Ghailani, a Tanzanian, Tuesday became the first Guantanamo prisoner sent to the United States for trial. He pleaded not guilty in a Manhattan court.
Ghailani is accused of conspiring to bomb the U.S. embassies in Tanzania and Kenya in 1998, killing 224 people. He had been held at the U.S. naval base in Cuba since 2006.
His transfer to New York was seen as a test case for President Barack Obama’ s effort to close the controversial prison for foreign terrorism suspects.
A key question in dealing with the detainees has been whether to try them in military or civil courts. So has the issue of what to do with prisoners who are acquitted.
White House spokesman Robert Gibbs refused Tuesday to say whether the administration would set Ghailani free if he was acquitted.
He was asked the question repeatedly at a White House briefing. Here are his replies:
“ Well, I’ m not going to get into hypotheticals.”
“ I’ m not going to get into hypotheticals about the court cases either.”
Read Full Story at blogs.reuters.com »
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gamahuche
"I would rather be a square peg than fit in a pigeon hole" -
an essay which won me the "Lamb Essay Prize" at the Religious ...
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gamahuche5 months, 2 weeks ago
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One of the most crucial times of our lifetime? One in which it will be essential for the US - and beyond - that it will be essential that justice shall be done and be seen to be done. And all that the silly journalists can do is try to find a way to create a sensational headline based on a response to a "What if? question.I guess he could have said WH spokesman could have responded "We'll cross that bridge when we come to it" but then, of course, even bridges are a heavily loaded topic in US politics!
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slate5 months, 2 weeks ago
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We know that in a civil trial the defense will take stand up and say the military didn't read this guys his Miranda Rights (which isn't done by the military) and it most likely will be tossed out and the man set free. Then that argument will be used on all the subsequent cases.
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jimdoze5 months, 2 weeks ago
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gamahuche5 months, 2 weeks ago
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In regard to eye-opening and justice, I'm sure this must have been the image that you had in mind: http://www.achladochori.com/site/images/stories/ju...
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I wish I could have posted it as the image to accompany the story.. -
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Beau78905 months, 2 weeks ago
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Jim, you realize that advance planning for contingencies and public speculation (that will be distorted by the press and opponents) are two different things, right?
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Do public officials discuss military strategies with the press before implementing them? -
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gamahuche5 months, 2 weeks ago
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Considering what an exciting climax potentially awaits, would this not be be a foolish moment to provoke premature ejaculations - or even the drooling of anticipatory salivation?
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Of course Obama could announce that it doesn't matter a flying f*** WHAT the judge says! Hey if they let him go we'll tie him to a stake at the WTC and provide baseball bats at $10,000 a pop - stake returned for the winning hit.
I do believe that even GWB might have been sat on and forced to keep his g-damn mouth shut by one of his cronies till "justice" had been seen to be done.
Don't you?
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Spadecaller5 months, 2 weeks ago
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It is regrettable that these cases are so politicized that to receive a "fair" trial is near impossible. Several members from the Bush administration's legal team have clearly stated in their "secret" memos that have been released, that they do not want any detainees found not guilty because after years of internment, their imprisonment will appear even more unjust.
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Those innocent detainees that were held without trial and were the victims of unscrupulous bounty hunters paid by Bush's "war on terror" crusade are on the verge of becoming the biggest nightmares for those involved in their illegal imprisonment and, in some cases, for those responsible for using illegal means of interrogation.
This fact of history will remain a part of the lives of many people and their families...-
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gamahuche5 months, 2 weeks ago
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Hhussk5 months, 2 weeks ago
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Several members from the Bush administration's legal team have clearly stated in their "secret" memos that have been released, that they do not want any detainees found not guilty because after years of internment, their imprisonment will appear even more unjust.
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Would you provide me a copy of these memos? I'm not interested in hyperbole, just proof. -
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Progressive5 months, 2 weeks ago
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This is merely the fifth of co-conspirators, four of whom have been tried, convicted and sentenced to life in a U.S. prison:
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http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26315908/#31195285-
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gamahuche5 months, 2 weeks ago
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So why the panic?
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Is it because someonbe has the idea that the evidence isn't going to hold up here - and they don't know what the heck to do if it doesn't?
I've just been able to watch the interview with Bob Herbert which on your link above and it is excellent.
The strongest point that he makes is that when the US system/govt/court system fails to act in accordiance to the full principles of the Constitution EVERYBODY is a loser.
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Spadecaller5 months, 2 weeks ago
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Hhussk
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If you read the secret memos released and have followed the news on this subject, you would not ask for such documentation. Nonetheless, here is one of many documented statements proving the validity of my comment that you are challenging:
"Wait a minute, we can't have acquittals. If we've been holding these guys for so long, how can we explain letting them get off? We've got to have convictions."
William J. Haynes II
Haynes served as the General Counsel of the Department of Defense beginning in 2001. Appointed by President Bush with the advice and consent of the Senate, Mr. Haynes was the chief legal officer of the Department of Defense and the legal adviser to the Secretary of Defense.
Inside this short video are two long lists of memos, should you want to reference them, as well...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sFbRSt1m2oc-
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slate5 months, 2 weeks ago
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"Wait a minute, we can't have acquittals. If we've been holding these guys for so long, how can we explain letting them get off? We've got to have convictions."
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William J. Haynes II
The way I see it, if they are being held and not guilty then they should be release and those responsible should be held accountable.
They DO deserve a fair trial and even suggesting that they be found guilty pre-trial is not only criminal, it;s inhuman and not what we as Americans want for any criminal in the land that is supposed to be about justice above all else.
Haynes should be not only ashamed for saying such a thing, maybe he should be called on the carpet for saying such a thing.
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thoughtforsale5 months, 2 weeks ago
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This question shouldn´t be as hard to answer. If someone is definitely not guilty, he has to be set free! The basics of justice have to be applied to everyone, even under a certain risk. Only what someone has done is justiciable, not what he probably would have done or might be willing to do. So, Ghailani has to be set free, if he was acquitted!
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jordan115 months, 2 weeks ago
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gamahuche5 months, 2 weeks ago
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But these were the laws that were ignored or over-ridden by the Bush administration, which is why - without a shadow of a doubt - there are MANY innocent people still detained. Even if they didn't hate the US before 6 or 7 years of appalling ill-treatment and denial of virtually all human rights it seems highly unlikely that anyone will come out of there humming "Mellow Yellow".
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lloydm655 months, 2 weeks ago
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When I was in Korea we had an island where capture prisoners were held. That would be detained for you timid souls,we were ignorant in the fifties.They were never tried,but were released when the treaty was sign.Our biggest problem was getting them to leave.I know most of you don't understand why someone would rather stay.I really don't care if these creeps we have today stay or go.My weapons are handy,and my powder's dry.Gotta go now going to Choctaw Nation today to relax, and do a little gambling
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dunkirk5 months, 2 weeks ago
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I believe the correct term was Prisoner of War camp and yes those people would be let go at the cessation of hostilities.
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"My weapons are handy,and my powder's dry"
ANd you rneighbors are probably still shaking their heads. But dont forget your instructions for loading the gun "Pointy End in Breech"
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Spadecaller5 months, 2 weeks ago
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What were Japanese Americans guilty of that were "detained" during WWII?
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Political prisoners are often "detained" ( a nice word for 'imprisoned')without the right to a fair and prompt trial. Most of these detainees are, in fact, political prisoners. They will remain that way until they receive a fair trial. They are already doing time for alleged crimes that we are supposed to presume that they are not guilty of.-
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Endoscopy5 months, 2 weeks ago
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There goes Spadecaller again. Anything done it history is being repeated by the Bush administration. He forgets that his beloved FDR did the Japanese camps. He then tries to painting the terrorists held in Gitmo with the same brush. Very sad frame of mind. The Japanese were rounded up by the FBI, police, etc. Our soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan just capture people willy nilly and send them there. Such insight into our military.
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willottica-245 months, 2 weeks ago
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The detention is, perhaps, acceptable as a precautionary measure in a time of war. But I think that "time of war" has to be defined as a time when there is a war against a foreign nation, which has some sort of end-post that can be defined as the end of the war. The "War in Iraq" has no ending. The "treaty has been signed", the "mission accomplished." The "war" is over.
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Similarly, there is no "war" against afghanistan. The only stated mission of that "war" was to capture Bin Laden, which they show no attempt to accomplish, and most accounts would agree that he is no longer in Afghanistan at all.
I do not believe it can be considered either fair or reasonable to hold people indefinitely as "prisoners of war" or "threats to national security" when the war is being extended indefinitely without any pretense of attempting to end it or come to a resolution.
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rbellande5 months, 2 weeks ago
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Hey, maybe the Obam's will move him in the white House with them, mother and the kids. I am certain the educational value this criminal can share Obama would want his girls first in line. What an opportunity.
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Gee, in the words of Obama can't we just get along we are not your enemy we are your friends. Maybe Obama can quote a few versus from the holy Qu'ran, that should be enough for all criminals to see the error or their ways.-
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Spadecaller5 months, 2 weeks ago
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rbellande:
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"Maybe Obama can quote a few versus from the holy Qu'ran, that should be enough for all criminals to see the error or their ways."
Now... there's a bigot and racist for ya. Are you a white supremacist or just a garden variety home grown bigot? -
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dltanner75 months, 2 weeks ago
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The constitution is very clear on who can and can't be tried in military tribunals. It isn't vague or subjective except to Republicans who have used and abused it with claims of "executive privilage" , not in the constitution, suspending it "Patriot Act", passed only by putting fear in Americans hearts. The very party who claims not to be "Communist" or "Socialist" acts that very way.
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Yet by using mirrors and smoke the GOP creates an illusion of patriotism while all the while taking America down the road to totalitarianism, it won't be long if you don't bow down to Rush or Cheney you will be imprisoned. -
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Candida5 months, 2 weeks ago
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"A key question in dealing with the detainees has been whether to try them in military or civil courts. So has the issue of what to do with prisoners who are acquitted."
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What does usually happen to people who are acquitted? The prosecutor appeals and/or they are set free. Why should this be any different? When all legal channels are exhausted, the acquitted person is free and returns to where he/she belongs. -
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dxxy4u5 months, 2 weeks ago
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It's our Law. Bigger Crooks than Ghailani have been acquitted.
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Many have walked not because they were innocent, but because of the way their confession were taken, and it thrown out. This is not Obama's Law, it's our Law. Ghailani is not our treat, it jokers like that nut that went into the Haulocost Museum and shot at innocent people. Supremist my ass. -
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kz102445 months, 2 weeks ago
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OBAMA AMERICAS CASTRO! A nation can survive its fools, and even the ambitious. But it cannot survive treason from within. An enemy at the gates is less formidable, for he is known and carries his banner openly. But the traitor moves amongst those within the gate freely, his sly whispers rustling through all the alleys, heard in the very halls of government itself. For the traitor appears not a traitor; he speaks in accents familiar to his victims, and he wears their face and their arguments, he appeals to the baseness that lies deep in the hearts of all men. He rots the soul of a nation, he works secretly and unknown in the night to undermine the pillars of the city, he infects the body politic so that it can no longer resist. A murderer is less to fear. The traitor is the plague.
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Marcus Tullius Cicero [ancient Roman scholar, lawyer, statesman and orator 106BC - 43BC](USAWAKEUP.ORG) -
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Icantwait5 months, 1 week ago
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My Fellow Americans: First of all reading the Miranda rights to them makes them American Citizens. So, common sense states they are Military Prisoners and as such should be tried as such.
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Since Obama is running this fiasco then once they are set free, as they surely will be, then I say release them into this Country. We can then list their living quarters, (residence), on the internet, as we do child molesters and such, and the Patriots will take care of the rest. They probably won't have much time to think about making any bombs until their demise.
Another solution is to move them in with our Damocrat politicians, such as Kennedy, Pelosi, Reed, etc. By having them live with and work for our National Leaders they can get first hand rehabilitation. I believe that our Muslim President could take a handful of them to help his Loving Wife with her Garden. Maybe the Obama Media For Hire can get some interviews on what it is like to live and breath with a real Tomato.
You Know, with my excellent Ideas I believe I will run for President next term. What do you Think? The Real American -
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