“..The ruling by Judge Lewis A. Kaplan would seem to be a setback for the Obama administration’s goal of trying former detainees in civilian courts, because it would limit the kinds of evidence that prosecutors could introduce..”
No kidding..??
Now, this is what Judge Kaplan had to say about his ruling:
“..The court has not reached this conclusion lightly,” Judge Kaplan said as he read his order from the bench. “It is acutely aware of the perilous nature of the world in which we live. But the Constitution is the rock upon which our nation rests. We must follow it not only when it is convenient, but when fear and danger beckon in a different direction. To do less would diminish us and undermine the foundation upon which we stand..”
Well, dear Sir, aren’t you something special?
Tell that to President Washington who used the militia on US citizens to STOP a protest during the British and French War. (Big no-no, constitutionally speaking.)
Or tell that to President Jefferson who secretly had war ships built, (without telling congress, or allowing them to vote on their construction) so Jefferson could launch the invasion of Tripoli. (Maybe Jefferson FORGOT about that constitution?)
Or tell that to President Lincoln who did what he had to do to win the Civil War.
Read that fancy speech to FDR who did what he had to do to win WW2.
I, just like any of you out there, want my politicians to follow the constitution as best as they can. However, during a time of war, we understand that sacrifices MUST be made.
This is not some freaking video game where you send men and women off to war and command their actions by remote control. Then throw OUR SOLDIERS in jail for “war crimes” upon their return.
Hell no..!!
You pray for your brothers and sisters who are in war, and tell them that you have their back.
All of the presidents that I have listed above, all did what they felt they had to do to keep us safe. President Bush did the same. The CIA and the higher-ups felt that we had to stop future attacks, so a harsher method of interrogation was needed.
However, this “harsher method” will cause civilian courts to toss out any testimony given, which could render the trial useless, and FREE the terrorist back to the battlefield. (Or downtown NY City.
I hope President Obama will learn from this. Trying war criminals and terrorists in civilian courts is a bad, bad idea.
