Detainee Wants To Boycott Trial
The Afghan detainee accused of throwing a grenade at U.S. soldiers, severely injuring them and an accompanying translator, wants to boycott his trial at Guantanamo Bay.
The hearing inside the hilltop courthouse overlooking the Caribbean was
delayed more than two and a half hours after Jawak initially refused to
attend.Kohlmann ordered his ankles to remain shackled during the
hearing because he was not cooperating fully.
The judge told him that he could still be tried, convicted, and sentenced, even if he didn't attend. There were, of course, the usual claims of torture, abuse, and being innocent... blah, blah, blah. Maybe he'll be more compliant after he gets to call home?
To hell with this punk. Try him whether he's there or not. Then lock him up for the rest of his natural life. His place in Hell is already assured and he will never cease being a danger to the United States and our allies. Never. There are some there that might give up the fight... he's not one of them.
Can You Hear Me Now? *UPDATED* *UPDATED X2*
Detainees at Guantanamo Bay are to be allowed regular phone calls to family. This is a welcome surprise and I hope it's implemented soon. As many of you may know, I don't have a lot of sympathy for the detainees. The stories you hear about staff and guards being assaulted are true... if anything, they're under-reported.
A Pentagon spokesman, Navy Cmdr. Jeffrey Gordon, said the telephone policy reflects a
commitment to maintaining the health and well-being of Guantanamo
detainees. No start date has been set for the program.
So why is this a good thing? Three reasons right off the top of my head.
First, since most of them have been there for 4-6 years, contact with family may help them realize what they're missing. This will encourage cooperation and reduce some of the rationally-based stress of confinement. It won't do anything for the irrationally-based ones, but not much will.
Second, I'm sure these calls will be monitored and either the detainee or their family may let some valuable intelligence slip into the conversation. It may even be that family members will provide new intelligence willingly in order to facilitate a detainee's release back to their own country. They might still be confined there, but would probably be allowed family visits. This could be a very strong incentive for cooperation.
Third, maybe the military folks there won't have to spend so much damn money on phone cards to talk with their own families. If jihadis get to talk with their family for free, wouldn't it make sense to provide the same consideration for the hard-working guards and staff? They have "Morale Calls" available now (or they used to), but I don't know anybody who used them because it was such a pain. IIRC, it was two 15-minute (or portion thereof) calls a week which had to be made from a military phone, going through an operator, using an access code, when it worked. It just wasn't worth it for 15 minutes or less, especially if you called and found out nobody was home.
There are probably many more (and better) reasons for this, these were just the ones that first came to mind. I think the drawbacks are obvious and have already been considered if it's taken this long to approve.
*UPDATE* Looks like I may be on the opposite side of the argument from a few folks. Oh well, not the first time. *UPDATE X2* Thanks to Patterico for the link!
Shocking News - Human Rights Group Condemns Guantanamo Trials
Hasn't it already been established that only three high-level terrorists were waterboarded? Via Patterico's, this link from ABC News says so:
For all the debate over waterboarding, it has been used on only three
al Qaeda figures, according to current and former U.S. intelligence
officials.
So how many trials are tainted by this? According to Human Rights First, all of them:
U.S. military commission trials of
Guantanamo terrorism suspects will be tainted by coercive
tactics such as waterboarding used to obtain evidence and
should be scrapped, human rights groups said on Monday.
There was no systematic "torture and inhuman treatment" at Guantanamo and I don't believe there has been anywhere else. The interrogators I met while in the Army all spoke of incentive-based interrogation being the best long-term tool. The only reason to use harsh interrogation methods is for time-sensitive intelligence. Many detainees would come back a little worse-for-wear because they smoked too much (link is from my interview with Patterico in 2006) and ate too much pizza, never from physical interrogation.
This is just another attempt to smear the military, the administration, and the United States by an anti-American "rights group" and the MSM.
1
You've read the criticism of lawyers at Patterico's blog. I sympathize with those who don't like lawyers or what they do. I'll even admit some of the criticism is deserved.
But all those complaints pale compared to the injustices perpetrated by some of the volunteer GTMO defense lawyers, who seemingly will spend and do anything to free the detained terrorists. I understand the detainees are entitled to representation but they aren't entitled to rewrite the rules of war or to have better treatment and attorneys than most Americans could ever afford.
Posted by: DRJ at 11 March 2008@15:09:27 (wE7Og)
2
You've got liberal and conservative people in every profession. I would give the benefit of the doubt in most cases that those attorneys believe they are doing the right thing... they may even believe their client's claims of torture and abuse despite how often it has been debunked.
There are also the sponsors who pay some of these attorneys, either individuals who hate the U.S., or governments who do. I would say most of them know these claims are false and encourage the lies because it serves the sponsors purpose.
I don't have a problem with lawyers, just with society being "over-lawyered". You could easily say the same about Social Workers, Psychologists, and politicians. Fortunately, you can never have enough Nurses... heh.
Posted by: Stashiu3 at 11 March 2008@15:19:42 (Q5ggV)
It's official. The UN Security Council has no crediblity left. The final nail in the coffin? Not this...
Mottaki said that the new round of sanctions lacked "technical and legal," justification and would discredit the Security Council.
But this:
At the prodding of the U.S. and its European allies, the U.N. Security Council passed a third round of sanctions on Iran Monday ordering assets to be frozen of additional Iranian officials and companies with links to the country's nuclear and missile program, and for the first time banned trade with Iran in some goods that have both civilian and military use. [emphasis mine]
The first time? Really? So that means that Russia, China, France, and whoever else is making money from Iran will have to start ignoring a ban just now? Because we know how well that worked with Saddam. Did they ever stop ignoring the trade bans with him? Seems like Saddam was getting weapons and equipment after several Security Council bans.
I'd say their credibility has been gone... events with Iran just keep confirming that.
I'll Be Right Back... I Have To Go To The Bathroom
Good thing nobody tried this in Guantanamo. Just a brilliant escape plan with outstanding execution.
Authorities say Mas Selamat, 47, had been taken from his cell to a room where he was waiting for his family to make a scheduled visit. He fled after being granted permission to visit the washroom.
1
Sounds like an inside job to me, similar to the Pakistani terrorist who escaped last month when he was being transferred and the guards let him stop at a mosque to pray. But given your "/sarcasm off" sign, my guess is you already knew that and I'm just stating the obvious.
Posted by: DRJ at 09 March 2008@22:12:26 (wE7Og)
2
You mean the idea that it could have worked at Guantanamo didn't give me away? I must be slipping, heh.
Posted by: Stashiu3 at 09 March 2008@22:23:55 (Q5ggV)
Teen Wants to Stay in UK Because Iran Will Kill Him For Being Gay *UPDATED 11 Mar 08*
Why is this even a question? From this story it seems pretty clear that going back to Iran is a death sentence.
"But in the past few months my situation back home has changed. The Iranian authorities have found out that I am a homosexual and they are looking for me."
How did the Iranian authorities find out? During the interrogation of his boyfriend... just before the Iranians executed the boyfriend by hanging him. Whether you agree with homosexuality or not, granting him asylum should be a no-brainer.
The kid is now in the Netherlands because his asylum request was already refused once by UK authorities. He's trying to keep from being sent back to the UK because he fears they will deport him to Iran for execution. I hope the Netherlands and/or the UK do the right thing here.
*UPDATE* The Netherlands is sending him back to Britain on a technicality.
Upholding a ruling by the Dutch
government, the Council of State said Britain is responsible for
Kazemi's case because he applied for asylum there first. European Union
rules say the member state where an asylum seeker first enters the bloc
is responsible for processing that person's claim.
The good news is that a British official seems to be hinting that the asylum will be granted.
However, Britain's Border and
Immigration Agency has issued a statement that could give Kazemi hope:
"We examine with great care each individual case before removal and we
will not remove anyone who we believe is at risk on their return."
I hope so. I also hope Britain tells the Iranians they thought there weren't any homosexuals in Iran. Isn't that what Ahmadinejad said?
1
I share your concern. If there's any hesitation, my guess is he or a relative have shown up on a watch list and the authorities are understandably reluctant to let him in under an asylum exception. Maybe everything he's said is true. Then again, maybe his claim that he will be persecuted, or even his homosexuality, is a sham.
Posted by: DRJ at 09 March 2008@19:01:59 (wE7Og)
2
don't recall off the top of my head, but isn't the UK one of those countries which don't extradite people to the US if they are charged with a capital crime?
My own gut feeling is that the UK officials felt the claim of homosexuality is a sham, and that he simply doesn't want to return to Iran.
Posted by: kishnevi at 09 March 2008@20:16:09 (HkEJ7)
DRJ, I had some of the same thoughts... that maybe we weren't getting the whole story. If we accept the premise though, it is a shameful situation that he was denied once already and had to flee. I suspect his story is true and the denial was based on an assumption that he came for asylum instead of schooling and the authorities didn't believe his circumstances had changed.
kishnevi, I know Mexico is one that won't extradite, but I'm not sure about the UK. The fact is that since the boy isn't really charged with anything, extradition is moot. Neither the UK nor Mexico has a problem deporting someone home who is not facing charges, much less a capital sentence. If the story is a sham, that's one thing... but I'm not sure how you'd go about proving the truth or falsity of it. Apparently the statements by the father are not sufficient.
Posted by: Stashiu3 at 09 March 2008@20:52:22 (Q5ggV)
Is Venezuela Going to Invade Colombia?
A summit of Latin American leaders has resulted in an accord between Colombia, Ecuador, and Venezuela.
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, who had blamed the United
States for the crisis as he sent tanks to the border with
Colombia, joined in shaking Uribe's hand and applauded loudly
and smiled.
If it was this easy to resolve, why send troops to the border so quickly? Maybe it's my suspicious nature, but I don't trust Chavez to abide by this. It's too drastic a turnaround from his recent rhetoric and out of character. Look for some new excuse for Chavez to actually send in his troops. And if/when it happens... remember where you heard it first.
1
I really doubt he'd invade, even if he did, South American wars in the modern era tend to be glorified slapfights by war standards, as most of the regimes have a shaky grip on power to begin with, sending troops that would otherwise be used to maintain stability out to fight is risky. Plus Chavez knows we'd just send over a force and stomp the little Commie punk's military ourselves.
Just remember where you heard it first, lol. It's just so out of character for him that I began to wonder what his motives were. As far as what he knows... Boosh is da debil! I wouldn't place a lot of confidence in his reasoning ability.
Also, I don't know if we would send troops. I'd like to think so, but getting involved in combat operations in South America while we're still having to work so hard in Iraq and Afghanistan might be tricky. Never mind the political fallout now that President Bush has endorsed John McCain. It would be handing a huge propaganda point to the Democrats.
It's certainly not a given at this point, and I'd bet that Chavez is aware of that. Trusting in his sincerity is just not something I'm prepared to do yet ever.
Posted by: Stashiu3 at 07 March 2008@21:50:10 (Q5ggV)
3
Eh, he's playing a game. I think this is actually aimed specifically at the US. The US is the perfect entity to demagogue and blame for problems and failed systems. Chavez can blame the US for problems in Venezuela to mollify those who are poor and support him, and if he can waggle his dick and thumb his nose at the US, it plays well with that base.
Posted by: doubleplusundead at 07 March 2008@23:46:09 (68v+0)
4
True enough as far as it goes, but he could (and does) do all that without moving troops. That's what started my wondering, but we'll see. If he hasn't done something one way or another within two weeks, it's a head-game. I'm thinking he'll make a move though, probably within a week.
Posted by: Stashiu3 at 07 March 2008@23:55:37 (Q5ggV)
5
Eh, I'm leaning toward thinking he's just playing politics. I don't think the Colombians are gonna cave, and they know the US is gonna back them if SHTF. Plus Chavez isn't in a great position to actually do something like a military action, given that he's got a lot of trouble at home.
Posted by: doubleplusundead at 08 March 2008@00:11:18 (68v+0)
Maybe so and you're right about the Colombians... they won't cave to Chavez or FARC. The position Chavez is in at home is also a powerful reason for him to direct attention somewhere else and try to inspire support from the people through nationalism.
I still don't trust the fat SOB.
Posted by: Stashiu3 at 08 March 2008@00:49:12 (Q5ggV)
International Criminal Court to Take Swift Action
I'm sure that once the ICC gets the particulars, they'll just jump on this like... like a ... I got nothing. They're not going to do a thing. The only ones they go after are despots after they're out of power and anything that will harm the United States.
"Colombia is proposing that the International
Criminal Court charge Hugo Chavez, the president of Venezuela, for the
support and financing of genocide," Uribe told journalists after
meeting with an ex-congresswoman who was recently freed by the FARC
after more than six years as a hostage.
Sorry Colombia, the ICC wasn't my idea. Not at all.
Are You Kidding Me?Ahmadinejad and Putinneed to go on the road together if they're going to keep up the comedy act. They might make a couple of bucks beyond what they're stealing from their own countries.
Dude is TOTALLY unhinged. His country is so tough? Declare war, mofo. Lets throw down!
Posted by: swj719 at 28 February 2008@17:22:13 (xNyOl)
2
I would much rather see their own people take care of this. Many are tired of the Radical Islamists. We don't need to do more than laugh over this, it's more like the ant climbing the leg of an elephant and promising to be gentle. (Not an original line, but applicable)
Posted by: Stashiu3 at 28 February 2008@17:26:50 (tarqT)
3
Which guy do you think is seriously deranged? I find them both kind of kooky. Of course, neither can hold a candle to crazy uncle Kim in North Korea.
Posted by: Mari at 29 February 2008@22:03:05 (cENZi)
Mari!! I was just catching up at the Wheel and about to jump back on. Three martinis huh? Never tried those, too fancy-schmanzee for me.
Kim Jong Il is a nut, but Ahmadinejad is truly dangerous. North Korea can be deterred, especially when the U.S., China, and South Korea all work together. Ahmadinejad wants a world war because he believes it will bring about a global caliphate and universal worship of Allah in the Islamic fashion. He really can't be deterred, only delayed.
Posted by: Stashiu3 at 29 February 2008@22:21:22 (tarqT)
Sites are added to the Moronosphere and Gerbil Nation blogrolls by request. I got everyone on there who was there when they were made, so email me if you know of a new addition. Some of these are on the main blogroll as well and will remain duplicated.
The main blogroll is at my own discretion. I gratefully accept suggestions by email, but I don't do blogroll exchanges. If a site is there, it's because I personally recommend it. If it's one that is not updated often, check out the archives and you'll probably see why it's there. I will rarely remove a site from the main blogroll once it's there.
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I am a Psychiatric Nurse who retired from the Army after 24 years total service. I started out as a Private E-1, made Sergeant E-5 in 23 months, then went to nursing school and ROTC to get commissioned. I am interested in politics where I lean heavily conservative, movies, music, and books. Hopefully you will enjoy what you see and come back often.
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