New legal battle in Guantanamo

[Old Coot]

Source: Associated Press

GUANTANAMO BAY NAVAL BASE, Cuba – A session of the Guantanamo war crimes court that began Sunday will likely show the difficulties President Barack Obama faces in changing the system and closing the prison by January.

The case in question, of a Canadian charged with killing an American soldier, is stalled by infighting among lawyers.

Other defendants have even more complex legal issues, and officials say the U.S. may have to choose between delaying Guantanamo's closure or quickly finding somewhere else to hold the trials.

"I don't think they'll get a single trial done by January," said Michael Berrigan, the deputy chief defense counsel for the Guantanamo tribunals. "I don't think there's any way."

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090531/ap_on_re_la_am_ca/cb_closing_guantanamo

[underpants]

1. They should have never been there to start with

but then what would be billed for?

The argument about whether it is US soil, international law, or even Cuba soil was passed over in a wash by Rummy over the press and it is rarely readdressed.

That being said the DoJ has lots of lawyers who can put in the time to resolve this.

[Buzz Clik]

2. Please don't douse the flames of hysterical condemnation with the water of truth.

Those here who have been soiling themselves for Obama's perceived lack of effort to close Gitmo are interested only in comments that will validate their preconceived notions.

Any attempt at educating them will be viewed as rightwing propaganda.

[MasonJar]

3. Before Bush and Cheney and their torture regime all terror suspects

(and I underline suspects) were tried in courts of law. The guilty were found guilty and the innocent were freed. No problem until an administration torrures its suspects and pays money to obtain suspects and renditions the innocent as well as the guilty and etc.

[bemildred]

4. I thought this was all supposed to be more straightforward with military courts and all.

Or was it really just about being able to torture outside US legal restraints?