Enemy combatant question tests Obama

gepa — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 20:35:12 GMT

The president "especially Bush" should not be allowed to detain people in the U.S., indefinietly without charge "especially if they are American citizens."

Enemy combatant question tests Obama

Ron Indiana — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 20:38:45 GMT

Mr. Williams: You are now writing about a high stakes test for the Obama administration involving the United States defining people as enemy combatants. Will Obama administration follow the Bush administration or set a new direction?

To detain people indefinitely without charge is the paranoid thinking of the Bush administration. My guess is that people have a right to a quick and speedy trial. I can not imagine the Obama administration denying prisoners a quick and speedy trial. Most of those left at Gitmo will be returned to their home country. Another effort to undue the craziness of the Bush administration.

Enemy combatant question tests Obama

Beverly in Chicago — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 20:49:18 GMT

Correct, as well as, the Bush Justice Department has also steadfastly altered the U.S. constitution. The stakes are neither high nor a test for the Obama administration; since President-elect Obama is a learned constitutional scholar, attorney and has already stated his intent.

Enemy combatant question tests Obama

eagle1776 — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 20:52:40 GMT

Fascism at its finest. Just grab someone, call him an enemy combatant, keep your war going on to justify that claim, let him stay in jail without real charges and scant access, if any, to a lawyer that's the Bush way Mousselini would be so proud of our Georgie.

Enemy combatant question tests Obama

Gail, TN — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 21:01:11 GMT

While I agree that this injustice needs to be addressed, I appreciate the Supreme Court setting it aside for now, giving President-Elect Obama some much-needed breathing room when he first takes office.

Enemy combatant question tests Obama

thats a fact jack — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 21:02:24 GMT

has anyone heard of the CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA and the BILL OF RIGHTS?

Enemy combatant question tests Obama

Byron Doepker, Spokane, Wash — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 21:02:26 GMT

I can not fathom how any judge could read the constitution in such a way as to see in it the power to hold US citizens indefinitely. It is disgraceful and embarassing to see this happen in my country. I find this truly horrific.

Enemy combatant question tests Obama

jawillie, Philadelphia, PA. — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 21:03:07 GMT

This is yet another leftover 5h1tstorm from 8 years of Bush. Hopefully, Obama will nominate judges who believe in the preservation of civil liberties while protectng this country.

56 Days Until Inauguration Day!
http://jawillie.blog.com

Enemy combatant question tests Obama

stephanie, ft. pierce, fl. — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 21:05:27 GMT

I heard on NPR this A.M. that the driver for Osama Bin Ladin who was convicted on less than he was originally charged with is being allowed to return to his country to finish serving out his sentence, which was 5-6 months over and above credit for time already served. The issue that bothers me is if he served the remains of his sentence here, they could still keep him indefinately as an enemy combatant. What kind of justice is that. You try him, sentence him, he completes his sentence and you get to hold him - forever if you feel like it. Time for America to regain her credibility as a fair and just country. Are we a democracy or are Bush/Cheney dictators. And they call themselves patriotic - shame on them!!

Enemy combatant question tests Obama

Robert Royal Oak Mi — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 21:06:46 GMT

This person IS NOT an American Citizen. A typical roose for Al Quaeda is to come here to study. Hmmm was charged with possessing fake ID's, what for his 5 children? I suspect for his terrorist buddies. I think Bush did the right thing for the safety of this nation. If Obama does any different then perhaps his so called non-Muslim faith needs to be reinvestigated. This person should at the very least be deported back to Qatar if released. Do not pass go and go directly to the airport and put on a plane.

Enemy combatant question tests Obama

New Independent — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 21:07:16 GMT

Is this America or China? I don't know where I am anymore.

Enemy combatant question tests Obama

C A, Tuscaloosa, AL — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 21:28:51 GMT

The Fourth Circut states that a President can detain people on U.S. soil, including Americans, without charge and for an indefiniate period of time.

Well, if one wants to live in a police state I suppose this will do it. This is not how our country works. This is not the America that has been the envy of the world for years. What the hell is going on here?

How about instead we adopt a new law that states the American people can detain and hold indefinately without charge incompetent, divisive, ineffective and right wing privacy bashing neo-con Presidents and Vice Presdients. In that case we would have detained and held Bush and Cheney a long time ago. In fact, we would still be holding Bush and Cheney.

No one is saying we should not detain persons identified as enemy combatants (those who threaten the security of the U.S.), but they need to be charged, tried, convicted and sentenced, not held indefinately without charge.

And what is that motto that we brag about and hold dear and that has been a verbal symbol of the greatness of U.S. since its birth....Give me "liberty" or give me death. Sounds like the Fourth Circut has forgotten this.

Enemy combatant question tests Obama

Kim, Olympia Wa — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 21:48:30 GMT

Maybe Obama should detain Bush as an "enemy combatant".

Enemy combatant question tests Obama

gv, Kailua, HI — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 21:52:25 GMT

NO ONE should be able to hold another person indefinitely without charges. You either have proof they did something wrong, or you don't, and they should be released (never should have been picked up in the first place).
In the America I believe in, you get a fair trial if you are accused of something. Obviously, my America is not the same as Bush's America.
I want my America back.

Enemy combatant question tests Obama

ted, montg, AL — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 21:52:41 GMT

Normally, I would say give him the same punishment that any american citizen would get in this situation. But with all the bad feelings towards americans these days, I think President Bush did the right thing. The guy could have been planning another 911 with all the ID theft he was committing. So I think it depends on the crime and the times we are currently experiencing.

Enemy combatant question tests Obama

Stella, Tucson — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 21:53:34 GMT

I think it's just wrong to be able to hold anyone indefinitely without charge, let alone without trial. Just wrong.

Enemy combatant question tests Obama

T Danials, Florida — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 22:00:33 GMT

In short order now, Obama is going to have to make a stand, on something, or on someone. Just as his books say, Obama got along, and got through life, not by making any waves, and by not being threating. He continues with that philosophy today. That's not going to work long term. Bill Clinton was a "go along to get along" kind of guy. Obama will trump Clinton big time. By the time his first term ends, people won't even know who this man is. Obama, for that matter, doesn't know who he is, he's just a caricature of what the media has made him out to be. Face facts Obamaites, Obama has accomplished exactly nothing in his political life, with the exception of him managing to get himself promoted to the next highest job.

Enemy combatant question tests Obama

CdV, LA CA — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 22:06:20 GMT

"...the president can detain people in the U.S., including American citizens, indefinitely without charge."

Call me a bleeding-heart liberal if you like, but this statement goes against everything I think America stands for. I think the Fourth Circuit got it wrong and this should be taken up by the Supreme Court. How can this be reconcilied with "Life, Liberty and the Pursuit..." I don't think it can.