tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6348461632067144009.post8701125398382554306..comments2023-03-30T04:57:31.703-07:00Comments on Common Sense Waukesha: The Courts and Guantanamo BayDean Culverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02892648642443556344noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6348461632067144009.post-250308349486791092008-06-17T12:32:00.000-07:002008-06-17T12:32:00.000-07:00To be sure, we will get in touch with our Congress...To be sure, we will get in touch with our Congressmen and Senators, and I for one will ask them to go even further than the Supreme Court and give rights to the people we have picked up in "extraordinary renditions," which includes people who were picked up by the CIA and never brought to US territory at all, but instead transferred to another country, where they are often tortured.<BR/><BR/>Since there is evidence we have often arrested the wrong people in such renditions, I see no reason why the government should just go on doing it. If we continue renditions, then the world should see that we give the suspects rights in order to prevent innocent people from being tortured.<BR/><BR/>Gingrich, who is normally pretty smart and has a good sense of humor is absurd in thinking the Congress will take action on this; it's too split.<BR/><BR/>Moreover, he is wrong in thinking that the Supreme Court has weakened us militarily. No one need go free if there is evidence against them. The court has NOT ruled that the Guantanamo prisoners are entitled to jury trials, only to the requirement that the evidence against them be presented to a court. Following that, the government is likely to ask each court for the prisoner to be returned for military trial, and the Court might even allow that - that would be a separate case.<BR/><BR/>But what about cases where the government cannot present any evidence? Well, should we give the government special powers just because its agents are too dumb to collect evidence?<BR/><BR/>The Libertarians have it right: <BR/>“The Court’s habeas corpus decision was a victory for all Americans more than any particular litigant, since it affirmed the duty of the executive branch to obey the law,” says former Congressman Bob Barr, who is also the Libertarian Party's 2008 presidential nominee. In fighting terrorism, “we must not sacrifice those liberties which make America the unique nation that it is,” Barr adds.smrstrausshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17130680385818556655noreply@blogger.com