WH Official does an Op-ed piece in USA Today

[dabrockster]

Not sure what I think about it, but I hope he got Obama's permission first... To me it seems like he is getting down in the mud rather then staying above the dirt... I think it is bad for Obama and good for those in opposition of Obama..

What are your thoughts..

Link:
http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpu...-al-qaeda.html

Another interesting story about Anti-terrorist procedures under Obama..

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1000...ctions_opinion

[il Padrino Ute]

When will this administration just man up and admit that it blew it in regard to the Christmas Day bomber?

And why are terrorists given Miranda rights? I still don't understand the reason for it.

[byu71]

The bums are all alike. They whine and moan about national security when the other side attacks their guy. What did prominant democrats like Kennedy, Pelosi, Reed, Gore, et.al. call Bush. They didn't just argue his policy, they called him a liar and worse. The republicans cried foul.

Now the shoe is on the other foot and the democrats are crying foul and of course the republicans are doing what they whined that democrats did.

Of course the main street media piles on when the dems whine about Bush but take a more "fair and balanced" approach when the repubs whine about Obama.

The whole lot of them are making me sicker and sicker. Of course, I do realize I am stupid and they are all smart, but they bug me anyway.

[BoylenOver]

Of course, I do realize I am stupid and they are all smart, but they bug me anyway.

You should've led with that.

[byu71]

You should've led with that.

It was a throw away trolling line cross referencing another thread. I usually throw those in at the end. If I had been sincere, I would have lead with it.

[wuapinmon]

When will this administration just man up and admit that it blew it in regard to the Christmas Day bomber?

And why are terrorists given Miranda rights? I still don't understand the reason for it.

They are human beings, no matter how vile and evil their crimes.

[byu71]

They are human beings, no matter how vile and evil their crimes.

Where do you draw the line though. If I truly believe without Miranda rights we could get information to save innocent American lives, do you believe the "higher" concept of "they are human beings" outweighs that?

[Goatnapper'96]

They are human beings, no matter how vile and evil their crimes.

What does that mean? I am anti torture and believe treating human beings that are no longer combatants humanely (if they are a combatant then you kill them), but are you suggesting that the only humane treatment of a captured enemy combatment or terrorist includes all the rights afforded US citizens in a criminal trial?

Are you saying that the military form of justice has always been inhumane and cruel or are you saying that terrorists should not be tried in military tribunals?

Right now it just comes across as some fluffy kumbaya response.

[Goatnapper'96]

They are human beings, no matter how vile and evil their crimes.

Says the university professor whose most threatening occupational hazzard is the paper cut!

Sorry Wuap, "they" would take back my class ring if I didn't drop a condescending response towards a full on Athens type in this scenario!

[wuapinmon]

What does that mean? I am anti torture and believe treating human beings that are no longer combatants humanely (if they are a combatant then you kill them), but are you suggesting that the only humane treatment of a captured enemy combatment or terrorist includes all the rights afforded US citizens in a criminal trial?

Are you saying that the military form of justice has always been inhumane and cruel or are you saying that terrorists should not be tried in military tribunals?

Right now it just comes across as some fluffy kumbaya response.

Well, I'm referring specifically to the case of the Christmas bomber in formulating my response. If we arrest them via a civil authority, then they have the Miranda rights. If the military arrests them, then I have no problem with military justice, because, it is just. I assume that the military has a statement similar to the Miranda warning. Miranda is not just for US citizens.

In my mind, if you want to go to war, you don a uniform and declare your intentions. The Geneva convention is very clear about out-of-uniform punishments for captured enemy agents/combatants. Now, these combatants/terrorists/stupid kids are not parties to the GC, so do we keep the same rules for them? Terrorism isn't really war. If these guys were attacking military targets, that'd be one thing. Trying to blow up a plane is another matter entirely.

I think the larger issue is:

1. Does the military have jurisdiction over terrorists on US bound planes?
2. Are the civilian courts adequate for the trials that will happen?
3. Is it safe to have trials in civilian courts?
4. What rights do these people have?

I am very grateful that there are men (and women) who are willing to risk their lives to protect mine. While my views on the matter can be denigrated as "kumbaya," all parts of society need a voice. Unless we want to be like the Klingons, just as we need a few good men to sit on that wall, we need others to make sure that those men don't turn into Col. Jessup.

[wuapinmon]

Says the university professor whose most threatening occupational hazzard is the paper cut!

Sorry Wuap, "they" would take back my class ring if I didn't drop a condescending response towards a full on Athens type in this scenario!

I understand your perspective, and I anticipated the response. I don't think any less of you because of it; I value men like you. I just know that you and I balance things out.

By the way, Virginia Tech, shit like that, weighs heavily on mind, and don't think that the military has a monopoly on danger. I've seen death in my life, up close and nasty and bloody, and I'm not cavalier about seeing it meeted out on people without due course and cause.

[byu71]

I understand your perspective, and I anticipated the response. I don't think any less of you because of it; I value men like you. I just know that you and I balance things out.

By the way, Virginia Tech, shit like that, weighs heavily on mind, and don't think that the military has a monopoly on danger. I've seen death in my life, up close and nasty and bloody, and I'm not cavalier about seeing it meeted out on people without due course and cause.

Back in '87 when the market crashed we ended up with an armed guard outside our door for two weeks. That is because several investement advisors were shot by their clients. I understand the danger soldiers face.

[il Padrino Ute]

They are human beings, no matter how vile and evil their crimes.

Where does it state that those who commit acts of war are allowed Miranda rights?

Human beings or not, they committed aggressive acts of war. Is the US going to now start Mirandaizing everyone?

[Hallelujah]

When will this administration just man up and admit that it blew it in regard to the Christmas Day bomber?

And why are terrorists given Miranda rights? I still don't understand the reason for it.

Simple. We want the world to like us even if it means a few thousand of our citizens are killed.

[wuapinmon]

Where does it state that those who commit acts of war are allowed Miranda rights?

Human beings or not, they committed aggressive acts of war. Is the US going to now start Mirandaizing everyone?

You're not seeing the distinction I made. If a civil authority arrests them, then we have decided as a society that all suspects will be apprised of their rights. If a military authority arrests them, I assume there is a similar declaration of rights.

They have rights. Otherwise we should just execute them in the field. If we start parsing out rights, then we start moving towards a collapse of all rights for everyone. If you're accused of one thing, that means you lose certain rights, well then anyone could be arrested for doing that one thing, and all our rights go to hell.

Dammit, no! Rights are rights. That is what separates us from them. We believe in rights and the rule of law, for everyone, even lowlife scum who would kill me.