Better Believe It Donating Member (1000+ posts) Sat May-09-09 05:24 PM
Original message
Obama set to revive military commissions: Only "reliable" hearsay "evidence" will be permitted
Obama set to revive military commissions
By Peter Finn
Washington Post
May 9, 2009
The Obama administration is preparing to revive the system of military commissions established at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, under new rules that would offer terrorism suspects greater legal protections, government officials said.
The military commissions have allowed the trial of terrorism suspects in a setting that favors the government and protects classified information, but they were sharply criticized during the administration of President George W. Bush. "By any measure, our system of trying detainees has been an enormous failure," then-candidate Barack Obama said in June 2008.
"This is an extraordinary development, and it's going to tarnish the image of American justice again," said Tom Parker, a counterterrorism specialist at Amnesty International.
The Obama administration's plan to reinstate the commissions with modifications reflects the fear that some cases would fail in federal courts or in standard military legal settings.
Civil liberties advocates, who insist that federal courts can handle terrorism cases, vowed to challenge any new process.
"We'll litigate this before they can proceed, absolutely," said Anthony D. Romero, the executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union. "Any effort to tinker with military commissions would be an enormous mistake. There is no way to fix a flawed process that has not rendered justice."
Under the administration's rule changes, hearsay evidence would be admissible if a judge determines it is reliable, officials said.
Please read the complete article at:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/30654216
- And would cross examination of those witnesses who provide so-called "hearsay evidence" be permitted? Sorry. If you don't have a case in federal court with a real judge and a real jury with real evidence you don't have a case! That's why we have a Constitution and a judicial system. -
But at least someone famous said something funny about Rush!This is how it's going to be for you idiot DUmbasses, and it's hilarious to note how much like this is looking lkike the Bush* years. Once in a while you all drool over someone saying a couple of funnies about someone you hate, while in the real life background, you dipshits are getting pretty much nothing you wanted.
Example: Obama was against commissions until he was for them!
So, while a carpetchewer who can't even secure a gig on UPN unleashes a vicious tirade at someone approximately 50,000x more famous than her, your Messiah is disappointing you. Again.
It's a little like someone laying down a pee-stained, lumpy mattress for you to land on when Obama yanks the football away yet again.
Wanda Sykes, you'd better do a webcast show on DU or something...they'll help you extend your 15 minutes to 16...
