In an interesting development relating to the story I published yesterday, three leading conservative figures: Bob Barr, Grover Norquist and David Keene; support trying and holding terror suspects in US. When I read this I truly thought “did hell just freeze over”.
Following is the open letter they published.
Now maybe Democrats can get behind the president and AG Holder so we can finally close the stain of Gitmo.
Hey, KQuark — HP must have seen your story here. It’s the main right now:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/11/16/conservative-trio-support_n_358928.html
KQ strikes again, scoops HP on what should be a top story!
Props KQ!!!
I am sure the president knew that this move would cause foaming and eruptions and whatnot in the right wing. I’m sure he knew they would say he’s “weak on terror” and the rest of the predictable stuff. I am sure they went over all the scenarios with a fine-toothed comb and know exactly what is going to happen and how it will be managed.
Pres. Obama did exactly the right thing. This is what we voted for…..a return to a constitutional government.
The Repubs fighting this, Lieberman, et al, need to be called out by focusing on the legalities. They swore to protect, defend and UPHOLD our Constitution, and they are not doing that.
A huge AMEN!
Is there no shame with these Republicans.
The former Arkansas governor told WDBO in Orlando that, if the trials go awry — by, say, resulting in the suspects getting off without a guilty verdict — President Barack Obama would be booted from office in 2012.
Riiiiight Rev. Mike the trial of KSM is all about you and politics. Fuck the fact that we are suppose to be a country of laws.
I do not think any of us need worry that the trials will go awry and the terrorists will be set free.
Mike’s just jealous that Sarah’s getting all the attention right now.
I don’t think so either but to make it about politics is disgusting. It’s bad enough we have Dems who don’t give a shit about justice and are using victims along with the GOP. It’s just amazing how low we have sunk that it’s a “debate” these days to follow our own rule of law.
How ridiculous, so much for the RW’s respect for your courts and your laws. They want their base to start having panic attacks before one single terror suspect is even near a court of law.
You have some of the safest, escape proof prisons in the world, where some of your most notorious criminals are serving life sentences, put there by your justice system, a system that worked. These RW alarmists are in a state of d
Dozens of terrorists have been tried and convicted, and are serving lengthy sentences.
They certainly are K7 but the right have memory coordination problems and I doubt that history or even very recent history is stored in any remaining grey cells they might still possess. How convenient for them.
Exactly.
And then there’s the bad news :
http://washingtonindependent.com/66754/graham-amendment-would-bar-trials-of-terror-suspects-in-federal-court
“”. . . Sens. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), joined by Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.), John McCain (R-Ariz.) and Jim Webb (D-Va.), is today pushing a measure that aims to do just the opposite.
The Graham amendment is expected to come to a vote today during consideration of the Commerce/Justice/Science appropriations bill. The earlier Homeland Security and Defense Department spending bills already include restrictions on transferring Guantanamo detainees to the United States.
This restriction, which is reportedly backed by 150 family members of victims of the 9/11 attacks, would bar the trials of the alleged 9/11 plotters in civilian federal courts, effectively forcing them to be tried by military commissions.””
“”Last week, Defense Secretary Robert Gates and Attorney General Eric Holder warned Senate leaders that Graham
It’s shameful they are using victims as pawns.
I think John McCain, Joe Lieberman, and Lindsay Graham are really close personal friends, and all resent Barack for beating McCain in the general. It’s hard to believe they actually believed McCain had a chance — especially after choosing Palin as his running mate — but they seem to feel cheated and bitter, and willing to do anything they can to stand in they way of what the president needs to do.
I fully expect Lieberman to vote against cloture, lose his committee chair and become a Republican over the health care bill.
I’m a little surprised at Webb. I don’t understand the push back. There may be things going on behind the scenes that we know nothing about. Or it could be that the GOP winning the governor’s seat has giving him a case of the nerves.
P.S. KQuark, I love your graphic on this story!
I agree about this trio. They are bitter old frat boys that probably still light each others farts.
I’m really really pissed at Webb for joining this farce. I’m still waiting for the progressives response to this but Huffy is still obsessed about the fucking banks and Greenwald is the only one I see writing about this issue. I am so disappointed with progressives right now over this issue. Then we wonder why the right wing echo chamber that is obsessed about a bow and not following the rule of law always “wins” these debates politically speaking.
The right wing has made itself so obnoxious and shallow lately, I’m hoping most people just tune them out. I know my family does.
On the other hand, progressives are losing a great opportunity to unify a national movement. It’s a shame shame shame. I’m as upset about it as you are.
How, in Dog’s green earth, are the opinions of the victims families in any way relevant in this matter?
It’s fucking disgraceful political theater.
You forget a GOP rep used a baby as a prop in Congress to fight against healthcare reform last week.
I do not think that the Republicans respect Barr so much, since he left the Republican Party and ran as a Libertarian against McCain/Palin.
But then there’s this :
http://washingtonindependent.com/66690/prominent-bipartisan-group-supports-trial-of-gtmo-detainees-in-federal-court
“A bipartisan group of more than 120 judges, prosecutors, diplomats, former members of Congress and high-level military and government officials yesterday released a proposed plan for closing the Guantanamo Bay prison camp and trying all suspected terrorists in civilian federal court.”
It’d be surprising if the Republicans and their pundits stop the fear-mongering regardless.
Hopefully the Democrats will push back, as you say, and support AG Holder and the president.