Closing Arguments: Your Take on the Court’s Gitmo Ruling?

Scalia, belongs to the Bush Regime and they have proven that they have no regard for our constitution nor for any law that stands between them and power. Bush should step down now, especially after how he has destroyed our nation.

We should allow the military to try these prisoners. They are military prisoners of war. There is already rules for dealing with prisoners. The supreme court should stay out of the military.

Justice Kennedy is correct. I once attended a conference in France, and they were making an argument against public CCTV cameras, because some day, there could be someone in power that could abuse this.
This always stuck with me, and it should be applied to this matter as well. Habeas Corpus is not only important for Americans, its important for the World.

Scalia has shown himself, yet again, to be a partisan hack rather than a jurist capable of dispationate legal analysis.

Thank you, thank you. I’ve been saying that I want my country back & it looks like it just might finally be happening. No matter what, you need to face your accuser and state your case. No matter how much we disagree, we should hear the other side. Thank you to the court for finally starting the repair job to the honor and rights in this country that will probably take 100 years to fix.

Prisoners of war. What war, was there a “war” declared? Scalia is way off base as usual.

This is a monumental decision for freedom and for the Constitution against a rogue Presidency. The strength of our democracy faces its greatest test during exceptional times.
Constitutional democracies cannot long endure governance by necessity. Instead, Justice Kennedy showed his measure as a person of principle and courage.
Terrorism is as terrorism does and our slide into what we fight and fear most has been precipitous. Perhaps, this is at last a turn away from this imperial Presidency.

If the flag of the United States of America is flying over Guantanamo Bay, then certainly anyone under that flag by choice or otherwise, is subject to the laws and the rights that the flag represents. To think otherwise is insane!

Justice Kennedy’s statement is, in my modest opinion, more than accurate. It may help us regain some of the respect we have lost as a nation worldwide for the way things, in general, have been handled. Deciding who gets justice and who doesn’t should never be in the hands of any single-minded person, I don’t care if they ARE the President.

The Supreme Court is way off base. These are prisons of war-NOT welcome guests. They are killing our American solders. Protect our country-STOP being so liberal and stuck on your selves.
Scalia I agree with you!

No one ever told Bush that there are three branches of government that have political power, that America is a nation of laws and a Constitution that ALL must follow, that the Constitution’s mandates cannot be overridden or ignored, that torture is not legal, that the Geneva Conventions protect our soldiers or that, because he lies so often, some of his lies will be exposed. President Bush is the world’s most obvious terrorist behind only behind binLaden. Those souls at Guantanamo have not been charged, have not been indicted, have not been afforded the minimum defense afforded to those who must defend themselves in counties we deride as uncivilized.

What do they think they are doing? Sure these detainees would have constitutional rights under our constitution – IF THEY WERE AMERICAN CITIZENS. They are foreign nationals and, as such, DO NOT enjoy the rights and freedoms of the American people. I say that this decision is null and void and we should just ignore it. After all, it is the United States Supreme Court and not the world court, therefore they have no jurisdiction.

OH, those nasty terrorists just kidnapped Ron B too, and took him back to the cave. Never to be seen again.

Our nation provides protection of its citizens with the writ of habeas corpus. Our worst criminals that commit the most heinous crimes are afforded this right. How can any freedom loving nation allow people to be imprisoned, often based on innuendo and accusation alone, without this right? Shame on this republic and Justices Scalia, Thomas, Alioto and Roberts for supporting this form of injustice.

The correct word is not happiness.
The correct word is joy.
Eye contact and smile creates JOY.
JOY creates SMILE – SMILE creates JOY.
Forced smile and eye contact resulted in ending decades of very severe stuttering over one decade ago.
Now I talk things to death, and the wise turn and walk away.
I truly enjoy talking – now.

I believe that enemy combatants of the U.S. are, as all people are, entitled to treatment consistent with the standards of basic human rights, but not to the entitlements of U.S. citizens.

I don’t think they bother taking anyone back to the cave.
They cut the head off and burn the body.
And in case you haven’t noticed, they don’t play by any rules.
They dress as civilians and hide behind women and children.

Here here, to Dwayne

The Romans, maybe?

I dont think s, Eric. I think thats just the morality angle we’ve rallied behind in the past.

Martin Beshear (sp?)said we could vote for Kennedy or Scalia, but how do we do that? If you require lengthy comments, you’ll miss people with little time, no wish to make their views public, etc. Pleas redesign your website to allow a simple “vote”.
I agree with the majority (Kennedy’s opinion), but also agree with both justice’s quotes. Scalia says people will die, and that’s as true as the fact that releasing convicted criminals will result in some killings, but that doesn’t make it the wrong thing to do. Some percentage of recidivists will end up killing, in the course of a robbery, or whatever. Does that mean we should never release convicted prisoners?
Maybe Scalia has some cogent points, but this isn’t one of them. In light of his “stinking descent” (are we talking slippery slope here?) it seems doubtful that he has any.
ps Remember the days when we believed that it was more important to free 99 guilty people if it meant imprisoning one innocent person? Guess that kind of thinking is archaic now. Sad.

We’re headed for anarchy. Citizens don’t trust their government and the Judicial branch has become the mascot of the liberal left between gay marriage and it’s allowing litigation to get to be a lottery system with a high probability of winning. We still have it pretty good, but we’re headed toward scary. Scary isn’t it.

Kennedy is correct on this one. We are a nation of laws, molded by the Constitution, which is a foundation of our country…So Scalia is saying that if we follow our own laws, we die? But if we DON’T follow our laws, we live? hmmmm No WONDER ‘corruption’ seems ‘overpopulated’, and the good guys are disappearing!

Justice Kennedy was right. The rule of law must be preserved. We are not a monarchy or a dictatorship. Many innocent men have been detained and tortured. It’s kept secret. We should move towards keeping our rights and justice for all forever.

I decide who shall live and who shall die….not the supreme court! by the way, dwayne it’s: therefore, thieves, and destruction. Im not saying that you are stupid or anything…did you pass an english class in high school, or elementary school for that matter? Goddamn conservative right wing loser

Okay let’s everybody take a breath ……
The Constitution does not apply to prisoners of war. Yes we are at war. They get better care there than prisoners in our own country. The alternative would be TAKE NO PRISONERS, all you highly educated, read between the lines on that one. Military Tribunal is the only consideration they should get. Attorneys have to be behind
this, anything for them to make a buck.
When they start passing the bucket to
collect monies for the Terrorist Defense
Fund, you Liberals make sure you give them your name and full address so they can send you a thank-you note!!! You just keep kissing up to these Terrorist and before you know it they’ll be knocking on your door at home to return the favor. BE AFRAID, BE VERY AFRAID

This decision is a joke. These people are prisoners of war, or foreign nationals captured while engaging in terrorist acts, or planning terrorist acts. They come under military law. They are not U.S. citizens, nor do they deserve to be treated as such.
The only factor that confuses the idiot majority on the Court, is that although these prisoners were captured abroad, they weren’t kept there. Had they remained imprisoned in Afganistan or Iraq, this wouldn’t be an issue. The German Nazis were tried in Neurenburg not in the U.S., nor given rights under the U.S. Constitution.
This is another regretful decision.

Kennedy gets his strokes going to DC cocktail parties where everyone tells him what a good monkey he is.

Why must every person saying something about conservatives resort to name calling. I think I know why. Inability to articulate clear argumentative thoughts.

Of course, Im not defending that one……..

the only fools here believe that the constitution only covers those in the U.S.. Will they be rallying for their “rights” when they get into trouble in another country? or praying to me that the laws protect them as much as a citizen of that land? (see Hungary, or midnight express for the challanged)hmmm

god
I am glad to see you use a small “g”.
Actually I did pass English (did not realize this was going to be graded for spelling), but just like a liberal, miss the entire idea just to show the World how SMART YOU are. By the way I have two advance degrees, if it matters to the SMART people.

It doesn’t matter what the court says, Bush will just do what he wants. He basically said so today from Italy, if you watch his entire speech. He will ignore the court, change the law if he has to…but he will do what he wants to do. Those in custody aren’t going anywhere. And we will do what we do and let it happen and do nothing.

Spugee wrote:
“No Kennedy. Thomas is an honest broker.”
Kennedy has ruled in favor of both “liberal” and “conservative” issues that have come before the court. He apparently tries to decide the merits of a case before ruling. Anyone can tell how Thomas (and Scalia), will rule on ANY case before opening arguments are made….

yes, umm. my point was that the us govt covers many lands including, guam, puerto rico, the virgin islands (us), midway islands and guantanamo bay. therefore, all are subject to us law and its constitution and thereby its rights.
dwayne, nobody ever said education = intelligence.see current administration for further details

there goes roe v. wade

Foreign nationals do not have the rights of American citizens with regard to trial. Can we please stop ignoring that fact?

They do have human rights that we must honor.

Rick in America
So what does the Geneva Convention say,
must we make thse POW’s citizens and now allow them to be tried in our courts. Please educate me on the Geneva
Convention.

They should all have green bubbleup and live on lollipop lane. They have the right to be killed.

It is a leased property of the USA

see, i have my back-up….go get him!

Please pardon my ignorance.

Little g, I always measure a person by their intellect. You seem to be the kind of guy where everything is too short. About two inches.

What is elohssa spelled frontards supposed to be?

DRumble, are you short too?

Dwayne
I’m not going to give a rundown on the totality of the Geneva Conventions, suggest you go to Wikipedia for that if you’re REALLY interested (which I suspect you’re not). But no, we don’t need to make them citizens in order to try them in our courts. We DO need to treat them humanely (in the hope that our POW’s will be treated the same – ie torture is a no-no) and provide access to humanitarian groups (such as the Red Cross, another liberal organization, no doubt). I find it interesting that many conservatives in this forum are referring to these “detainees” as POW’s, whereas the Bush administration will not, classifying them only as the afore mentioned “detainees” in order to deny them the most basic of human (NOT American) rights.

In Bookstores soon: “Spugee: The Last Bush Supporter on Earth”
A man so powerful…he is unaffected by logic, evidence or reason. Like his Idol, Spugee makes all his decision from his gut. Unfortunately the gastric bypass went as planned, and the newly svelte Spug-ster has little left to make an informed decision on what to have for breakfast. TheTruthHurts Press

Your the only one I heard refur to them as POW’s. maybe I missed someone say it, but “many conservatives”? If your point is valid, why the sensationalism?

JimBobLuvsBush, hey, can I have a crack at that sister too?

Here’s how I see it:
The detainees are POWs and they are subject to the Geneva Conventions and are shielded from inhumane treatment/torture (ie waterboarding) and criminal trials. If they are POWs, they are not entitled to the protections granted by the Constitution, but they are entitled to be released at the end of the conflict.

I guess that signals the end of any hope for any intelligent conversation. Good night.

DRumble wrote:
“Your the only one I heard refur to them as POW’s. maybe I missed someone say it, but “many conservatives”? If your point is valid, why the sensationalism?”
Sorry, you may be right. Dwayne and Tough Mom both referred to them as POW’s, I think there may be others but I’m not going back to check. At any rate, even though I interpreted them to be conservatives (based soley on their posts) I may be wrong, though I don’t think so…..

Here is one about Obama’s wish for change. It’s the classic. If Obama wishes in one hand and poops in the other, which one fills up first?

See now? your dragging me down with you :)

Gotta go. Its a puzzle of the first order.

i have found most of the conversation tonight interesting, with many points of view. i am disturbed, however, that so many people take the constitution for granted and just make assumptions about it. 1, there is no war, therefore no pow. 2, we brought these men to the U.S. by bringing them to guantanamo bay and thereby placing them under U.S. laws and protections guaranteed by our constitution.3, we as the people choose our lawmakers, and our president. if you are not happy, vote. its your right and priveledge. by the way, who you vote for today determines the supreme court tomorrow….they are appointed by the president. i have no quarrel, but mccain =an anti abortion crowd.

I agree with Justice Scalia. Time will tell.

Our system is breaking down if habeas corpus cannot get a unanimous vote from the Supreme Court.
We need to decide: Do we want peace in the world, or our “interests” served, even at others expense.
Turning to peace will require more courage than any firefight. Peace will require brilliance, and an inner calm we will have to learn to find, capture, and hold to with a steady hand.
The key that ignites this paradigm is truly wanting more and better for others than ourselves.
The Bush legacy provides so many lessons we will improve our chances of leading the nations of the world into a new era that resembles little of any part of history coming before it. Surviving the Bush legacy by using it as a springboard, or the sudden reversal in direction that makes the whip crack as it breaks the sound barrier….that is the leap I believe we will take.

I agree with the majority of the judges. Scalia doesn’t respect our Constitution and God forbid we get anymore justices like him and Roberts, Alito and Thomas.
THANK YOU JUSTICE KENNEDY you made my day!

Scalia seems to think that Americans aren’t willing to trade their lives, their safety, for the Constitution. When did Republicans become such damned wimps? Americans have been giving their lives for the Constitution for over 2 centuries. We will continue to give our lives for it. If the craven right wing, like Scalia, doesn’t like that trade, they really should move to a nice, safe totalitarian state. Our Constitution and our liberty demand risk and sacrifice. We liberals stand ready, and we will not sell our birthright so cheaply. Time to quit, Scalia, Thomas, Roberts and Alito. You don’t have the guts.

To Terry Lilly, Your kind of attitude is why 9/11 happened. BLOWBACK. Unfortunately a decent person like Dave Pearl was the recipient of the same because of Fellujah. None of it is right but why keep defending our actions when we are being wrong.
What the justices did today will also protect YOU!

Sorry, NOT TERRY LILLY I meant my last post for
KENCAHU.

Maybe we shouldn’t succumb to the terrorists. Maybe we should pretend that it never happened, and that it won’t happen again unless we take precautions. Which makes me wonder: Why is it that we haven’t been hit in this country again? Maybe they just didn’t want to. Then again, maybe the added hassle at the airports is worth it, and maybe they’re too busy fighting our military over there, instead of buying a plane ticket for over here.

According to someone posting here, “Foreign nationals do not have the rights of American citizens with regard to trial”
Why would we treat Foreigners to a lesser standard of justice than ourselves? How can we convince the rest of the world to embrace our form of democracy if we do not lead by example? As an American, sometimes I think our problem is that half of this country is just plain stupid!

Of course I agree with Kennedy. Any right thinking person would do so. Bush and Cheney are concerned that these detainees will be found innocent and they will be held accountable.

The court got it right today and, as usual, Scalia got it wrong. Loss of American life stings, but it’s a better option than surrendering our justice system to terrorists. If we abandon our principals, the terrorists succeed.

What else can you expect from a crypto-nazi like Scalia and the 3 others in his cohort. If the Vietnamese used a standard as degenerate as the one he defends John McCain would still be in the Hanoi Hilton. Good luck to all of you who are going to be crying for the Bush league serial liars of the Dildo Administration.

Bush is a incompetent President and like 1/2 the posters here has no understanding of the Constitution….just knee jerk reaction.
” They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety”…Benjamin Franklin

This is a no-brainer and should have been ruled a long time ago. This is the United States of America. You can’t put people in jail and throw away the key and never charge them with anything. This is not Nazi Germany or North Korea. I was seriously beginning to wonder if it was. Because if history teaches us anything, once they start with one group and get away with it, it won’t be too long before your next. We already have a few citizens on US soil that are being held in this way.

Spugee,
you may want to try actually picking up a copy of the constitution. Can you even read?
Ever hear of the fourteenth amendment?
Our constitution does not say it only applies to those granted citizenship, it applies to all those on our soil. Which Guantanamo is. If you don’t believe me, just ask any Marine

Scalia’s statement confirms my opinion of him as a crackpot. It’s amazing how little republicans value our Constitution.

Reports today are saying that the military is going to procede regardless of the ruling. If this administration won’t abide by the Supreme Court, do we still have a democracy or is this a dictatorship?

If the court cannot properly construe the law, their decisions shall be granted no deference from the executive branch. I hope the military does defy this lawless court. What is wussy Kenedy et al gonna do, send the National Guard to Gitmo?

Don’t the five majority justices understand the Constitution they swore to uphold? The Constitution applies ONLY to citizens of the USA. Besides, these prisoners are actually spies and should have been executed as such. They were not wearing uniforms of known enemies. No one had a problem keeping German POWs in prison until the war was over. I know, because there was a POW prison in my home town. How they were treated I have no idea, but certainly better that USA prisoners were treated by Japan and Germany. By the way, none
of these enemy terrorists were beheaded
on camera by our troops. Can’t say the same for those unfortunate enough to be caught captured by terrorists, those peace loving Muslims.

Wow, sorry for the mis-spellings, I got excited. But really, why do so many people want us to act like our enemies?

I am very happy to see this ruling. You can’t hold someone forever if these people did something wrong bring them to trial. Then punish them accrdingly.
How can we spred freedom if we have Saddam Hussein style prison camps?

There was no evil in the world when our Constitution was framed, right? Sorry, our nation has faced evil from within and without since its existence and before.

This ruling is proof that American sentiment is shifting from being fear driven back to that of the country which pioneered the idea of liberty and justice for all.

i agree with Justice Kennedy

i love ur comment ritgar you are on the point

Viet Nam was never a “declared” war but we sure had alot of POW’s .

I agree with the Supreme Court’s ruling on this issue. Not until these “detainees” are brought to court will there be a definite ruling as to their guilt. We are a nation of laws. After the Gitmo fiasco and the lies leading us into this mess, any citizen who is a respecter of justice would want these individuals tried in a court of law. Our system of justice and our Constitution is not predicated on the behavior(s) of other countries. We should not deem these detainees “guilty” because of their culture and other biases as noted in some postings.

They deserve only to be treated as they treat others. My mistake!

They should have military trials, and from what I hear, that’s what Congress wanted, by and large. A new law may be drafted that would make the SCOTUS ruling irrelevant.
More Americans will die because instead of capturing prisoners, we will kill them and lose their information, which could save lives.
People who want to destroy us to not enjoy the rights of U.S. citizens. Where do you people get some of your nutty ideas?