Guantanamo detainees

Detainee abuse series

The agenda of the The Star was, as usual, apparent with respect to the expose on detainee abuse from Afghanistan to Gitmo. Borrowing John Kerry’s brush, the author paints a picture of the American soldier as a stupid, angry thug looking for some brown-skinned people to beat as a cathartic release of pentup anger lingering from the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.

Conversely, the detainees are disingenuously portrayed as innocent victims just minding their own business when indiscriminately detained and beaten by these brutes.

Jared Bartels
Lee’s Summit

Detainee rights

After reading “Bush critical of ruling on detainee rights,” (6/13, National/World)) I wondered how six lawyers could think the way they do.

How could five Supreme Court justices think foreign combatants deserve protection in U.S. civil courts? And how could Barack Obama think this ruling is “an important step toward re-establishing our credibility as a nation committed to the rule of law?”

Has the strict adherence to law now become the end, rather than the means to a better one?

Fifty percent of our Declaration of Independence signers were lawyers. Yet these people steeped in law realized when it was necessary to change their situation rather than strictly follow the laws of England.

The difference between then and now is the absence of a warrior heart. Those in the past used theirs to discern when circumstances required a temporary change in normal behavior so they could act to improve the future, before returning to normal. Those today rarely have the heart to act.

Dennis Batliner
Overland Park

Comments

[solomon]

i know you are a great friend to Israel.

There was a time when Israel was not allied to us but iran was. Then for a time they were both vital to us in strategic capacities. We backed the brutal shah, setting the table for the Revolution and the anti American gov't that followed.

To me the burdenous cost in death and ruination of so many of our young people, occupying lands where the result is hatred towards us and the staggering cost of this venture to be felt for decades to come exceeds my budget for our duty to the nation of Israel.

[katman]

The Iraqis represent one of the great civilizations in the world. They had law, order, art, and all the other elements of a great civilzation. Along came a tyrant and stirred up trouble the way tyrants do to maintain control, pitting Sunnis, Kurds, and Shias against one another.

Now we are there regardless of whether or not we should be. We can and will help them to restore order. Of course, Iran and Al Quida have different plans.

Screw democracy! Help them to be what they want to be and we will benefit greatly. If we withdraw our troops now a vacuum will be created and Iran becomes the major power in the Middle East. Then, the contest becomes Iran vs Israel. Do I make myself clear?

[solomon]

take a katnap and respond please. I'd like to know where you disagree on why the Iraqis would be motivated to fight and resist us. Please keep your answer away from "we're doing whats right for them" or "we're offering them a chance at democracy" or other imperialist positions.

[katman]

Solly, I totally disagree with you. I won't be specific because I 'bushed' from gardening all day. I truly am a Jack of all trades & master of none. But, I keep the lady happy and that's really what matters.

I must be tasteless when it comes to movies. We saw Sex In The City last night a loved every scene of it. Hope they do not do a sequel. Even at my advanced age, the gals are starting to show their age.

[solomon]

katman,

Thats the huge blur in viewing this war. We toppled Saddam. Saddam and his regime were ruthless SOBs (although no more so than when we were their friends).

Just because we toppled Saddam does not mean all Iraqis must accept the infidel occupation of their country. They fight us, that does not make them terrorists or insurgents. They are Iraqis fighting what they consider a force that has no right to be there.

We are fighting as a result of 19 guys attacking our country one day. Is it so hard to understand why an Iraqi would attack us in Iraq, or an afghan attacking us in afghanistan after we've been there for years?

[T. Hanson]

One could say that we have not had any witch attacks since we burned/stoned the 19 witches in Salem. So I guess we are right in not allowing these guys due process.

[katman]

See, Tom K. does have his head in the sand. Do you want names, ranks, & serial numbers? There have been numerous occasions reported overseas - Afghanistan, Pakistan, Syria, Iraq, and the list goes on.

Since 9/11 there have been no reports of terrorist activities in the U.S. Some have been detained.

[Tom K]

If the detainees are so dangerous, tell me the story of even one credible terrorist attack on U.S. soil since 9/11.

[katman]

The Supreme Court 5 to 4 decision is both outrageous & ludicrous. Current public polls oppose the habeas corpus decision by 60+ per cent.

I was going to say, we'll live to regret it -- but some will die because of it. I'd rather have three 'innocent' detainees at Gitmo as opposed to one guilty one released. Yes, I'd rather be safe than sorry. No interpetation of our Constitution applies to 'polar bears, mountain lions, or enemy combatants'.

[Rogue]

sorry about the double, the site is a little slow today.

[Rogue]

Exactly Mr. Bartels, exactly. Did you notice their so called expose, got zero traction with any other major news outlet?

[Rogue]

Exactly Mr. Bartels, exactly. Did you notice their so called expose, got zero traction with any other major news outlet?