XDA

I'm not sure why they are doing this. Apparently they will charge only about 80 of the 275 still left in Guantanamo. They've charged about 13 so far. They are not seeking the death penalty so the punishment will differ from the demi-war prisoner detention how? Also, if none of the Guantanamo detainees being charged recently fought in uniform, wouldn't they all be war criminals--illegal combatants who may be summarily executed? Wussification continues its mincing advance.

In the past few weeks, Guantanamo detainees Ali Hamza Ahmad Suliman al Bahlul, Ibrahim Ahmed Mahmoud al Qosi, aka “Abu Khobaib al Sudani,” and Mohammed Jawad are facing charges. The first two are charged with general 'being a terrorist' or terrorism support charges and the like, but the last is a bit of a mystery. He's charged with attempted murder for throwing a grenade into a passing army vehicle. Since when is fighting with hand grenades a war crime? If it's a crime only because he wasn't in uniform, then we're back to the question above, why only 80 and not each and every one?

The accused will get free lawyers, don't have to testify, are presumed innocent and must be found guilty by the highest standard, beyond a reasonable doubt, in an open trial. They are in front of military tribunals, as is appropriate, and most importantly don't get to see the evidence against them (although their lawyers do--not exactly iron clad protection of sources there considering the general type of person who will be eager to defend these detainees--recall the horrible traitor, Lynn Stewart, and the wrist slap she received for helping her client communicate with the terrorists back home). Still, if it makes sense to do this at all, this seems an appropriate way to do it, if way too sensitive to the terrorists' 'human' rights. No one will be too happy with the results, I believe. The left will probably, collectively, have the vapors over each conviction.

Labels: Guantanamo Bay Detention, War Crime Tribunals