Obama Defends Due Process for Detainees
In an interview with Nightline last night, Barack Obama cited the way the U.S. dealt with the suspects in the 1993 World Trade Center bombing and noted that because the U.S didn’t do the same with current detainees at Guantanamo Bay, it “has created a situation where not only have we never actually put many of these folks on trial, but we have destroyed our credibility when it comes to rule of law all around the world, and given a huge boost to terrorist recruitment in countries that say, ‘Look, this is how the United States treats Muslims.’ So that, I think, is an example of something that was unnecessary.”
The McCain campaign responded with a conference call, on which surrogates chastised Obama for being “extremely naïve,” an advocate for a “policy of delusion,” and having a “perfect manifestation of a September 10th mindset.”
“These are the same guys who helped to engineer the distraction of the war in Iraq at a time when we could’ve pinned down the people who actually committed 9/11,” Obama responded today to reporters on board his campaign jet. “In part because of their failed strategies, we’ve got bin Laden still sending out audio tapes and so I don’t think they have much standing to suggest that they’ve learned a lot of lessons from 9/11,” he continued.
Using 9/11 on the campaign trail is “fear mongering” on the part of Republicans, Obama insisted – the same tactic that got us into Iraq and has distracted us from the fight against terrorism in Afghanistan. After all, he said, the U.S. Supreme Court recently ruled that detainees at Guantanamo Bay should get habeas corpus.
“The question is whether or not, as the Supreme Court said, people who are being held have a chance to at least suggest, that, ‘Hey, you’ve got the wrong guy,’ or, ‘I shouldn’t be here.’ It’s not a question about whether or not they’re free. And the simple point that I was making, which I will continue to make throughout this campaign, is that we can abide by due process and abide by basic concepts of rule of law and still crack down on terrorists. None of the folks that were speaking for McCain today have given us one bit of information that would suggest that as a consequence of the court’s ruling, terrorists will be able to attack America more effectively,” he said forcefully.
Obama described the prison facility at Guantanamo Bay a “black hole” devoid of accountability set up that way intentionally by the Bush administration. Obama would prefer to lock suspected terrorists up in military facilities on U.S. soil and while he does not advocate putting them on trail in a district court, he said, “What we need to be doing, is locking these folks up and where there are dangerous individuals, we have to create a system of due process where we can show that in fact they were dangerous.”
That system he maintains, will not give detainees “full blown rights,” but will involve due process. “We don’t have to treat them in the same way that we would treat a criminal suspect in the U.S., but we should abide by the Geneva Conventions. We should at least follow through on the same principles we followed through when dealing with Nazis during Nuremburg. That is not only the right thing to do, but it also actually will strengthen our ability over the long term to fight terrorism,” he explained.
The candidate then assured he would not be weak on terrorism. “I want to do everything we can to capture terrorists, incapacitate terrorists, kill them where that is the best approach that we can take, but I see no need for us to create a situation in which we’ve undermined our own ideals and our own institutions in a way which actually strengthens the ability of terrorists to recruit and engage in propaganda against the U.S.”
Tags: detainees, guantanamo, mccain, obama, terror suspects
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So we put them on trial and 99.9% are found guilty then we put them where? In our over crowed prison systems because the liberal bleeding hearts do not want to harm any one even if that person is a mass muderer. And we start to police the military prisoners as well as our civil ones? Are these people nuts? They are war prisoners not armed robbers or DUIs or drug dealers. They are military prisoners of war. The civil court is not the military unless they have changed that too.
Exactly, great response, I hope the fear mongerers stop trying to twist things.
YEAH were is BIN LADEN? you dont here the REPUBLICAN PARTY talking about they are looking for him or they no were he is!! THEY ARE NOT GOING TO CATCH HIM BUSH and Bin Laden’s family has already struck there deal…OBAMA is so right This is how AMERICA does things and now you want to get mad at OBAMA why? its true BUSH didnt do his job and correctly close the deals.
Famous Last Words?
“I am confident I will get her votes if I’m the nominee. It’s not clear she would get the votes I got if she were the nominee.” ~ Barack Obama, February 1, 2008
Obama is incredibly ignorant of history and the Geneva convention regarding irregulars. In WWII, whenever we captured ANYONE not in a uniform or connected in any way with a recognized armed force, that individual was summarily executed, as permitted under the rules of the the Geneva Convention Accords, regarding bono fide POW’s. Additionally, POW’s can be interrogated and are only required to give name rank and serial number, that is if they are bono fide members of an organizes military force. Irregulars,however, according to the Convention, are not accorded the same rights and therefore can and are treated more harshly in interrogations. This is where the Supreme Court of the US has overstepped it’s bounds and has opened a real Pandora’s box.
As a retired USMC officer it seems that now when we capture an irregular, a terrorist, we have to read him his rights and Mirandize him so that he has the same rights under the Constitution as a criminal.
Ladies and Gentlemen, as a combat veteran, the Supreme Court has tied the hands of the military in a manner never before done and, I guarantee, it will come back to haunt us. Every person we capture on the battlefield, regular or not will demand his rights under our Constitution as long as we hold him in custody. This is insanity of the first magnititude. I fear for our country,especially if that idiot socialist Obama is elected.
God Bless America and Semper Fi
The Democrats have opposed the war from the beginning. They have denounced the President as a demogogue for denying habeas corpus to enemy combattants and their sympathizers. They have demanded the release of civilian prisoners. Fortunately, Pres. Lincoln has ignored their complaints and brought a victorious end to a war waged by those who would destroy our Nation and deny the humanity of all Citizens. Why cannot the Democrats admit they were wrong 150 years ago and stop making the same mistakes? Why do they seek to placate enemies of the Nation? Why do they want to assist those who would treat people as property? Why will they not cleanse the stain? It is no surprise that so many question their patriotism and their humanism today as they did in 1861.
Obama stated he would not run for president in 2008 because he would not have enough experience to run.
Dispite his flip flop on the first point, I’ll still take him at his word on the second.
You should too.
OBAMA WAS “SELECTED” NOT “ELECTED”. HE AND THE DNC BIG-WIGS STOLE THE VOTES FROM HILLARY.
VOTE McCAIN IN 2008.
Obama also defends Al Qaeda, militant Islamics and countries that promote terror acts against the United States. Just as Bill Clinton ignored known terrorist leader Osama Bin Laden which allowed terrorist attacks of the world trade center and pentagon.
It takes a fool to listen to Obama. It takes a traitor to support him.
Wrapping yourself in a flag, while shredding the Constitution is no way to run a country, and destroys our standing on the international stage. Bush’s policies are proven failures. McCain appears uninformed and displays poor judgement. I’m a lifelong Republican, and I’m voting for Obama.
Is not a crime to terrify? Is not an act of terrorism to put one or many in a mindset of fear and despair?
Listen people, America is America because WE don’t stoop to the other guys’ levels. For every one of you who is so quick to say “torture now/ethics later” miss the reason why WE are the greatest nation. Because we strive to hold ourselves to better standards than anyone else. Because we came here to be free of that type of persecution from others.
America doesn’t torture. And America has a responsibility to itself and to all those who are enemy combatants. When we start fighting the way our enemies do, we become our enemies.
Why don’t we just have public executions of the terror detainees without trials. I guess that’s what some of you want in the USA. That would make us look really good to the world community. Even saddam got a trial. Trial them and convict them. That’s the way we’re supposed to do it in the USA. No matter the crimes against our country, we must still have trials.
Could some explain to me what Obama means by Iraq as a distraction. I find that an odd comment.
CW
KC, please. If someone is tried in a court doesn’t mean he or she would be put into a normal prisoner. What is at stake is to determine whether the guy that is throught to be a criminal truly is one, or just a farmer turned in by his neighbour in Afganistan because that guy hated the other.
You are getting things mixed up in your mind.
Since Obama was raised in Kenya etc he would side with Terrorists. Terrorists are what they are and don’t deserve any other treatment than they gave those on 9/11 , Obama is an Idiot and really Wrong on this issue. Shows how Immature and in experienced he truly is
Once again Obama has proven himself to be sympathetic to terrorists. Are we supposed to all join and hold hands for change? Sorry not this girl! I want my country to be safe and all this political correctness will have a backlash people. Obama is a joke to this country and imagine what foreign dictators will do with him…we have had many presidents who have been wrong from time to time but they have all shown their strength and love for this country…Obama is nothing but a hack that stole this election from Hillary…good luck against the republicans!
UMMM. Last I check these terrorists were NOT American citizens, so why are they allowed access to our civil courts in ther first place. They have NO rights under OUR CONSTITUTION.
Obama better wake up he might be a great orator when he has a speech prepared for him, but terrorists and terrorist nations understand one thing POWER. Negotiating is a sign of weakness to them.
Did you ever stop to wonder WHY these Nations WANT Obama in the White House. That in and of itself should be a wake up call.
Right on, Chuck! The folks that support Obama and the Supreme Court’s latest decision concerning enemy combatants are fools and/or sick Bush haters. They can be led to hell if they were told it was a great place to dwell!
The fools haven’t the knowledge to realize Bush didn’t enter war without majority consent of the
US Congress — Democrats and Republicans!
Lastly, these fools don’t realize that the US Constitution is not for our enemy’s protection and/or enjoyment. There are five Supreme Court judges that I consider unfit to serve even as a county judges.
Would that be the same due process that SEN Murtha & the other democrats in Congress have given our soldiers over Haditha, etc? It appears to me that the Democrats are so intent upon winning the elcetion that they are more than willing to place our national security & yes our lives at risk to score points against the Republicans. To Obama (mister I voted against the war, that may be well and good) - but short of unilaterally losing, what & how are you going to deal with this issue. And by the way, once you do unilaterally walk away from this war in Iraq - where will you draw the line in defending those of us who choose not to be Islamic. I truly believe the Al-Quadas of the world want nothing more than a complete worldwide Islamic theocracy.
Wrapping yourself in a flag, while shredding the Constitution is no way to run a country, and destroys our standing on the international stage. Bush’s policies are proven failures. McCain appears uninformed and displays poor judgement. I’m a lifelong Republican, and I’m voting for Obama.
_____________
I’m a lifelong Democrat, and I’m voting for McCain!
If you war US prisoner’s to be treated fairly, then you should be willing to treat foreign prisoner’s of war fairly. This is all that Obama is saying.
Leave it to a stupid liberal to grant rights and freedoms to ENEMY COMBATANTS, just as we do to our citizens. This has been a standard delusion for decades, comparable to “unilateral nuclear disarmament, Zero- population growth, and eliminating energy sources in favor of dependence on foreign oil.
The Democrats are ignorant of history, and insane about domestic policy, to say nothing of their stupidity on foreign matters. And Obama is one of the worst.
McCain may not be the best choice for president, but he is much better, and safer, than the fool that the Dems are offering.
No lifelong Republican actually calls themselves a “lifelong Republican”. Try again, “vero”.
Obama makes a lot of sense. Finally we’re going to have a president who has the intellectual nous to understand the nuances of constitutional law and who understands both the hard and soft power aspects of America’s relationship with the rest of the world. And I’m amazed that so many people on this site can’t grasp what this argument is about. It’s about what makes the US such a great nation. Which is rule of law - that’s what. Throw it out and we’re no better than the bad guys. That’s all Obama’s wants to do - restore rule of law.
What did you do with you tax rebate check? Oh, I used it in the U.S. Federal Courts to defend my terrorist activity against America.
Wow, Michael! How do you find your way out of the bedroom in the morning?
“we can abide by due process and abide by basic concepts of rule of law”
Which rules of law do these terrorists abide by? What “rule of law” does Obama refer to? Isn’t “due process” a matter of the US Constitution? Doesn’t the preamble to the Constitution say (or at least imply) that it applies to the people of the United States. Foreigners in armed combat against the United States being held in a containment facility off the shores of the United States ARE NOT people of the United States. Besides, the purpose of the Constitution was “to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity.” I don’t see how giving terrorists rights beyond the Geneva Convention (to which they don’t subscribe) makes us a more perfect union, establishes justice, insures domestic tranquility, provides for our common defense, promotes our general welfare or secures the blessings of liberty for us and those to come. In fact, easing up on the terrorists, like Obama wants to do, does just the opposite of all these. We should treat them according to the law of their country - mostly that would be beheading.
John Wayne could not have said it better..”Out here the ONLY due process is a bullet”….When you are captured on the battlefield not in uniform and not with a recognized and described army, you are NOT entitled to any rights and that is in the Geneva Convention Rules…you are summarily executed as a spy.
Obama truly is the 2nd coming….of Jimmy Carter! The Geneva Convention does allow torture by the way. I think too many of you liberals have watched Hostel too many times and think that is what we do to these terrorists. Those are not the methods that are used and it is much more pyschological in nature, vice physical. Of course, the Geneva convention laws only apply to military personnel, which these terrorists clearly are not. What military organization do they belong to? What uniforms do they wear? The Democrats believe we as Americans should take the high road on the matter and give these terrorists the same due process as an American citizen. WRONG WRONG WRONG! We’ve already released some of these guys and they returned to the war zone to attack us again. What Democrats can’t and probably will never understand is that popular opinion amongst the international community is of very little important when dealing with your own national security. You don’t see any other country in the world asking the permission of the international community to handle their own business do you? Why do you democrats feel we need to appease them or have them on approve of our actions? It will never happen…PERIOD! There will always be those who are against us no matter what the issue. True leadership is sometimes having to make the unpopular decision and seeing it through. Obama clearly doesn’t possess true leadership because he bases his decisions from the advice of his far left advisors and the polls. Our Constitution does not protect enemy combatants and it was never meant to do so. Protect our national security first and not our international reputation. Those that don’t like us never have and never will…get over it and stop trying to appease them.
Comment by Michael from Atlanta
June 18th, 2008 at 10:15 am
If you war US prisoner’s to be treated fairly, then you should be willing to treat foreign prisoner’s of war fairly. This is all that Obama is saying.
==============================================================
Be fair to us Michael and quit giving us your goofy stupid comments.
On this I agree with Obama.
Regardless of where Americans are in the world (at home or on foreign soil) habeous corpus (body of evidence) should be necessary before we detain or arrest any civilian or mlitary combatant.
It’s the American way. Regardless of the threat–once we relinquish our values–we become no better than them.
maggieb,
Obama was not raised in Kenya, his father was. (The father he never knew). This type of ignorance makes me fear for the future of our country.
Re: comment by Patrick Henry above
The Constitution of the US guarantees your right to be stupid, uninformed and ignorant and the right to remain in that state indefinitely. Good grief, where do these people come from?
Semper Fi
Combatants have protections under the Geneva Conventions, as well as obligations.
Convention I offers protections to wounded combatants, who are defined as members of the armed forces of a party to an international conflict, members of militias or volunteer corps including members of organized resistance movements as long as they have a well-defined chain of command, are clearly distinguishable from the civilian population, carry their arms openly, and obey the laws of war. (Convention I, Art. 13, Sec. 1 and Sec. 2)
There it is folks. Word for word what the Geneva Convention states in regards to treatment of the enemy. Clearly terrorists do not fall under the Geneva Convention because they are not distinguishable from civilians, do not carry their arms openly and do not obey the laws of war.
Wow Again,
I’m a bit confused at to where exactly torture is allowed in the Geneva Convention. Please point out which convention, article, etc. I’ve taught courses on these documents and have yet to come across any evidence for your point on this.
I cannot take credit for this, but I heard a great point made on the radio today…
When we do end up catching Osama Bin Laden, is he going to be considered innocent until proven guilty???
This is a guy that everyone, even the Dems/Libs want to see taken out. Are we supposed to stop hunting him because he is considered innocent until going through trial?
You arrogant, stupid, foolish left-wing, liberal bleeding-hearts need to understand that Bill clinton had 3 opportunities to rid the world of Bin Laden and said he was no threat to us. The 1st World Trade attack was under clinton’s watch. There were other Presidents prior to Bush, so how in the world is everything Bush’s fault? The frikin’ democrats are in control of the House and have been for 2 years, why aren’t you all saying “their failed policies”? The democrats won’t get off of their big, lazy butts to do anything constructive. as soon as something goes wrong, it is Bush’s or his administrations fault, not the poor dumb democrats.
Every time the Democratically controlled house does do something it is vetoed by our spineless leader.
ANYTHING the Democrats try and do that isn’t a direct objective from the President’s mouth is instantly vetoed.
This is the most partisan President I have ever seen.
He is a disgrace who, if it was earlier in his term would be impeached based on the information we now have.
Don’t you love it? Where else but the great ol’ USA can you bash a President and voice your opinions….do it now….Obama will silence you forever. Socialists do this…. Communists do this….Hugo Chavez, Obama’s best friend. is doing this as we speak…sigh…..forty years in the military service and I still have to worry.
Remember Clinton=
World trade bombingS…with a S AND Okla bombing.
He continued to let them attack and attack until they realize they was not a bomb big enough to sneek in…so the planes.
THE DEMS let it go on and on.
You may not like Bush…but the Bushes don’t allow bullying!!! Mess with us and we will mess back!
The reason they are liking their lips in other countries is they know Obama will turn us over to the wolves. Sissy’s make terrible leaders!
LIKE it or not, human nature is evil…some uncontrolled…and evil does not say “Oh America is trying to be nice, lets just play together”…no that is when they eat you alive.
Economy may be tight…but at least we still have an economy…Obama will sell us out.
Marla, you can thank your lucky liberal stars for people LIKE ME who gave of their lives and freedoms to enable the United States to be FREE and YOU to be FREE to utter your uneducated, naive and biased views. Remember why you speak English is due to one GREAT GENERATION of Soldiers, Sailors and Marines this nation has know. Dont forget to thank one before you sleep in peace tonight while the TRUE heroes of this nation sleep in foxholes and fabricated shelters on a WAR front. I’m proud to have served my thirty years in the Navy and went around the world on the Commander in Chief’s order.
One final thing: his name is NOT “Bush”. It is MR. PRESIDENT. Have some darn respect for the leader of this country or go find another one for God’s sake…where you would NOT be allowed to speak so freely. Go Navy and Go McCain!
Because of Christ and unashamed to shout it to the world,
Brad
Texas Veteran, would you care to offer us a description of what you did in the military for forty years…? Seeing as how it would take an O-10 to make it to the forty year forced retirement. Where is this so called socialism silencing plan Obama supposedly has?
Now on this matter, we have a mountain of evidence so that if and when OBL is ever caught you could guarantee he would rot in prison for the rest of his life.
It does not surprise me that Obama supports terrorist constitutions rights, these rights were and are not intended for terrorist regime’s who are not American citizens. I dont want to pay taxes to defend terrorist who assult and want to take away my freedom.
Now I see why terrorist leaders are endorsing Obama, they know more then we do about what he stands for, but it seems as though the evidence is trickling out, wake up America!
Democrat for McCain
Obama said, “‘we have destroyed our credibility when it comes to rule of law all around the world, and given a huge boost to terrorist recruitment in countries that say, ‘Look, this is how the United States treats Muslims”
No Obama, we don’t treat Muslims differently, just Terrorist! Does he honestly believe threatening terrorist with our civil courts will deter then??
I Don’t know whether to laugh at his statements or be afraid he may actually be our next President!
Comment by Doctor Proctology
June 18th, 2008 at 1:55 pm
Comment by Michael from Atlanta
June 18th, 2008 at 10:15 am
If you want US prisoner’s to be treated fairly, then you should be willing to treat foreign prisoner’s of war fairly. This is all that Obama is saying.
==============================================================
Be fair to us Michael and quit giving us your goofy stupid comments.
################################################################
I guess “DO UNTO OTHERS AS YOU DO UNTO THEM” has no meaning to you.
Reply to Thomas a Warrant Officer can serve until age 60, so yes it is entirely possible to serve for 40 years. I know this because as a Commander I have held functions for (WO) Chiefs who retired with actually plus forty years (age 18-60).
Clearly, some of you left wing liberals are not understanding the situation. This has tied the hands of our Military in combat becuase before we can fight evil men we have to read these animals their rights! We have never done that in the Histroy of our nation. Truly, this treasonous ruling endangers the lives of our fighting men and it is clear that our government cares more about terrorists and enemies of the state than our own fighting men and women. Truly unpatriotic and sick! As an American I have a problem with that so why do some of you support this? Do you not care about the safty of our country or the young people who fight to defend it??? These people attacked our country, killed thousands, and threaten our way of life with their barbaric religous beleifs. And some of you traitors want to give these people our rights? I’m ashamed! I”ll never understand Liberal thinking I guess. I always vote on principle, honor, and American values! I’m not sure why some of you do not???
Obama or McCain - What a choice! I think I will sit this one out.
Huckabee 2012!
Just say nObama!
America can not afford Obama. We can not afford further domestic terror attacks, We can not afford the liberal values that he would bring. We can not afford the continued give-a-way programs that the Democrats have become known for. We can not afford the divisive accord that he would bring to Washington and America.
We can not afford Obama
Oh, let me see. Obama can truely say he didn’t vote for the war. WHY? Because he didn’t want us over there blowing up his people!! Now he is happy that the Supreme Court has given the prisoners the right to counsel. Wonder why? This gives them the loophole they need to get released!! He will be the one to eventually set them FREE. These are his people, and the Americans are falling all over him and wants him to be their president. This will be the new America. We are going to see all kinds of changes. “Cha_ _ _nge is coming to America.” says Obama. This will be only one of them that will shock us. But, the one thing he did vote for was Tony Resko’s gambling boat. He voted “present” 29 times, not “yes” or “no”. He just sat there taking his paycheck, because he doesn’t care about this country or what issues came up for a vote, until it came time to vote for his good friend, Tony Resko. Bad judgement, bad judgement. Oh, but he’s young.
[...] couldn’t agree more. But where we are in this campaign is a Democrat POTUS hopeful willing to give more rights to terrorists than ANY of the rights the Haditha Marines EVER got. Maybe one day soon Obama might find himself in [...]
The Republicans have more than fear and smear in their bag of tricks, they also have deceit and misrepresentation. McCain is making the claim that offshore drilling will provide short term energy relief, but govt estimates are that if approved today, it wouldn’t have much impact before the 2030s. He also misrepresents Obama as being anti nuclear, while the truth is Obama is for using nuclear as part of a package of alternatives. A McCain ad is suggesting that he is pro alternative energy, but it’s a lie. He only favors centralized alternatives like nukes, he opposes alternatives that encourage individual citizens to be energy independent, like wind, solar, geothermal and hydrogen exchange batteries.