Comments on: Another Gitmo Detainee Released…After 5 Years

By: wj

wj — Tue, 03 Apr 2007 23:12:37 +0000

The problem, however, is that it is not at all clear that all those “detainees” actually are combatants of any kind. On the (admittedly limited) evidence currently available, any of us could just happen to be in the wrong place at the wrong time, going about our lawful pursuits. Then get turned in for a bounty by someone who has no idea whether we actually did anything or not. Then find ourselves detained for years, with no chance to demonstrate our actual innocence. That could be me. That could be YOU, chicopanther — for all that you have probably done nothing to deserve it.

I don’t see a lot of sympathy for actual enemy soldiers. (Some unhappiness about the way they were treated, but far more because of it’s negative consequences elsewhere than because it actually hurt them.) But I see a fair amount of sympathy for those who never were enemy soldiers of any kind — and who are finally being released without any charges for precisely that reason.

By: chicopanther

chicopanther — Tue, 03 Apr 2007 21:48:31 +0000

Better those “detainees” (which is a polite word for illegal combatants, i.e., *enemy* soldiers) should lose a few years off their lives than that we should lose all of the rest of our years.

If you really feel sad for those enemy POWs, then you’re on the wrong side.

No, I’m not a troll. I’m just tired of the mindless appeasers who are doing their best to get us all killed. It really pisses me off.

By: wj

wj — Tue, 03 Apr 2007 14:14:03 +0000

Sadly, I think bob is wrong. Waiting another 22 months, however unfortunate, is not going to make that big a difference. Because it is going to take a generation to rebuild the reputation that has been pissed away in the last 6 years.

Unless you believe that a new administration will convict Bush, Yoo, Gonzales, etc. of war crimes. That might reduce the recovery time a bit.

By: probligo

probligo — Tue, 03 Apr 2007 01:12:31 +0000

… and along behind Gitmo is the trail of “hidden prisons” and the rendition process.

By: Ranjani

Ranjani — Mon, 02 Apr 2007 22:05:24 +0000

Gitmo is a dark stain on the good name of justice. I can’t believe that it still exists; it’s simply a byproduct of American paranoia that should have died out long ago.

By: bob in fl

bob in fl — Mon, 02 Apr 2007 21:51:07 +0000

Before we can appeal for the hearts & minds in the rest of the world, it might help if those in power had either a heart or a mind.

As far as shutting down Guantanamo, looks like the Supreme Court will be no help at all. (Why an I not surprised?) And I am not sure we can afford to wait for 22 more months