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i hate that i must defend obama and his idiocy, but he is almost right in this, while rachel maddow (who i would totally fuck brainless) is as usual, a dim witted knee jerk liberal who demands free shit and a pony.
the guantanamo detainees are prisoners for damned good reasons. just like germans and japanese captured on the battlefeilds of our last actual war before iraq 1, iraq 2 and afghanistan (which were all duly authorized by the congress with broad majorities from both sides of the ring, including heels and faces) these "detainees" who cannot be called prisoners of war because they are not members of any recognized army, cannot be simply released for numerous reasons. included are their status as war criminals (spies saboteurs etc)
the bitch insists that bush and company violated their civil rights,, forgetting that they were acting as soldiers in violation of the laws and customs of war in an active war zone,, with no rank,, privilege or insignia to distinguish themselves from the populace of non-combatants. fuck dont take my word for it,, heres the relevant part of the third geneva convention:
- Article 4 defines prisoners of war to include:
- 4.1.1 Members of the armed forces of a Party to the conflict and members of militias of such armed forces
- 4.1.2 Members of other militias and members of other volunteer corps, including those of organized resistance movements, provided that they fulfill all of the following conditions:
- that of being commanded by a person responsible for his subordinates;
- that of having a fixed distinctive sign recognizable at a distance (there are limited exceptions to this among countries who observe the 1977 Protocol I);
- that of carrying arms openly;
- that of conducting their operations in accordance with the laws and customs of war.
- 4.1.3 Members of regular armed forces who profess allegiance to a government or an authority not recognized by the Detaining Power.
- 4.1.4 Civilians who have non-combat support roles with the military and who carry a valid identity card issued by the military they support.
- 4.1.5 Merchant marine and the crews of civil aircraft of the Parties to the conflict, who do not benefit by more favourable treatment under any other provisions of international law.
- 4.1.6 Inhabitants of a non-occupied territory, who on the approach of the enemy spontaneously take up arms to resist the invading forces, without having had time to form themselves into regular armed units, provided they carry arms openly and respect the laws and customs of war.
- 4.3 makes explicit that Article 33 takes precedence for the treatment of medical personnel of the enemy and chaplains of the enemy.
- Article 5 specifies that prisoners of war (as defined in article 4) are protected from the time of their capture until their final repatriation. It also specifies that when there is any doubt whether a combatant belongs to the categories in article 4, they should be treated as such until their status has been determined by a competent tribunal.
meanwhile here is the information on dealing with spies saboteurs resistance fighters and others in an occupation zone under the fourth convention:
Part I. General Provisions
... Art. 5 Where in the territory of a Party to the conflict, the latter is satisfied that an individual protected person is definitely suspected of or engaged in activities hostile to the security of the State, such individual person shall not be entitled to claim such rights and privileges under the present Convention as would, if exercised in the favour of such individual person, be prejudicial to the security of such State.
Where in occupied territory an individual protected person is detained as a spy or saboteur, or as a person under definite suspicion of activity hostile to the security of the Occupying Power, such person shall, in those cases where absolute military security so requires, be regarded as having forfeited rights of communication under the present Convention.
In each case, such persons shall nevertheless be treated with humanity and, in case of trial, shall not be deprived of the rights of fair and regular trial prescribed by the present Convention. They shall also be granted the full rights and privileges of a protected person under the present Convention at the earliest date consistent with the security of the State or Occupying Power, as the case may be. ... Section II. Aliens in the territory of a party to the conflict ... Art. 42. The internment or placing in assigned residence of protected persons may be ordered only if the security of the Detaining Power makes it absolutely necessary.
these clowns are not prisoners of war, and thus have limited protections under the geneva convention,, and they are not technically criminals as they are not engaged in crimes in their jurisdictions of action, so they fall under the heading of spies and saboteurs.
spies and sabotuers can also be summarily shot in the field upon capture. i wonder if you and rachel think thats a better more "lawful" method of dealing with these guys?
most of these guys were either under arms without a uniform,, engaging in sabotage (planting bombs) harboring spies and saboteurs or are suspected of engaging in sabotage,, but the military field of action is not trenton new jersey or casper wyoming, and soldiers are not fucking cops. these prisoners are prisoners by their own actions, and should remain prisoners as long as they pose a threat to our personnel in the field and their security. when we fully withdraw from iraq and afghanistan we should send back all the gunmen and keep the alquaeda operatives and money men for interrogation, eventual military tribunal and if convicted, execution by firing squad.