U.S. drops 'enemy combatant' term for Gitmo detainees

[WonderGrunion]

Breaking: CNN

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- In a dramatic break with the Bush administration, the Justice Department on Friday announced it is doing away with the designation of "enemy combatants," which allowed the United States to hold suspected terrorists at length without criminal charges.
Officials will no longer use the designation of "enemy combatants," the Justice Department said.

In a court filing in Washington, the Justice Department said it is developing a new standard for the government's authority to hold detainees at the Guantanamo Bay Detention facility.

The announcement says the Justice Department will no longer rely on the the president's authority as commander in chief, but on authority specifically granted by Congress.

http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/03/13/enemy.combatant/index.html

Wow! Intellectual dishonesty no longer has a home at the White House. :bounce:

[Renew Deal]

1. Congresscritters will like that.

And they will complain all at the same time.

[Aloha Spirit]

8. haha

so true!

[billyoc]

2. How many of the illegally detained victims will be released?

Intellectual dishonesty is in no danger.

[AyanEva]

3. I think it's a good start, though.

Well, it's a start anyway.

[WonderGrunion]

4. All of them that the AG Holder can't bring charges against

At least I believe that's the plan from the Obama administration.

[Hippo_Tron]

5. They will likely all be deported or prosecuted

But none of them will be released on US soil if that is what you are asking.

[WonderGrunion]

6. In a perfect world of civil liberties...

They would be freed for the sole fact that they were illegally detained. That's not politically realistic. AG Holder will prosecute anyone they feel they can make a reasonable case against so that Pres. Obama's enemies can't say he's blanketly freeing terrorists.

[Hippo_Tron]

7. More like they will prosecute anyone they are at least 90% sure they can convict

Anybody where it is even doubtful will be deported. Justice is not going to take the heat for losing any of these cases.

[WonderGrunion]

9. You're probably right

It would be politically perceived to be worse to lose a "Terrorism" case. I think the bulk of the time taken to close down Gitmo will come from negotiating with other countries to take back / take in the detainees.

[crimsonblue]

11. detainees that cannot be convicted will be sent to gulags elsewhere...

probably Saudia Arabia, Syria, China, etc. The US has a vest interest in maintaining the "guilt" of these persons, and none of these people will likely see the light of day. Any person that cannot be charged or convicted should be set free into the United States. This is because the person will face torture, abuse, and sham trials in their countries of origin most likely, and the US has an ethical responsibility to prevent torture whenever necessary. Anybody that legitimately fears for their life upon returning to country of origin should be granted asylum into the United States and placed into witness protection, for they will quickly become a target of various hate and fringe groups within the US. A person that is not charged or prosecuted has committed no crime in the eyes of the law and must be fully protected.

[Hippo_Tron]

12. Not necessarily

First of all, nobody is being sent to Syria given our diplomatic relations (or lack thereof) with that country. Neither will anybody be going to China. Saudi Arabia and Egypt are possible but it depends. Right now they are looking for places to send them and many of them are not states that condone torture or sham trials.

[crimsonblue]

10. Congress doesn't have the right to allow the indefinite detention of terrorism suspects

The right of Habeus Corpus may not be infringed upon by Congress, for it is a natural right. If a person has no right to question his detention and learn of the justification for his detention, then the judicial system has no purpose, and becomes a mockery. All persons in United States custody have the right to due process of the law and to a fair trial. If a person cannot be charged with a crime, then he has comitted no crime, and must be released. Holding uncharged persons in detention for years is a crime against humanity.