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WSJ: Free to Kill Again (Gitmo detainee released)
Wall Street Journal ^ | September 28, 2004 | Editorial

Posted on 09/28/2004 5:21:03 AM PDT by OESY

The weekend death of a Taliban commander ... appears to have been a former detainee ... at Guantanamo. He died leading an ambush on U.S. forces; three American soldiers were wounded, one critically.

The Defense Department won't confirm or deny that Abdul Ghaffar did a stint at Gitmo before being deemed no longer a threat and sent home to Afghanistan....

...[L]ast week 11 more detainees were sent home from Guantanamo, for a total of 202 since the camp was established -- 146 for release and 56 transferred to the control of their home governments. "We make a determination about transfer of a detainee based on the best information we have at the time," a Pentagon spokesman told us yesterday. "Remember, some of these people are highly skilled in concealing the truth." There are still 539 detainees at Guantanamo, some of whom have begun to face military tribunals.

...Never mind that there's a war on, and that most of these men are determined and deceptive killers.

This political campaign culminated in this year's Supreme Court decision that gave the Guantanamo prisoners the right to challenge their detentions in federal court. About 70 prisoners have done so already. Sandra Day O'Connor notwithstanding, we still find it hard to imagine that a federal judge can do a better job than the executive branch of deciding whether or not a prisoner remains dangerous.

...[A]nother prisoner who will soon be free is Yaser Esam Hamdi, a U.S.-born enemy combatant who is to be shipped home to Saudi Arabia but will not be put under detention there. Hamdi was captured on a battlefield in Afghanistan in 2001 with an AK-47 in his hands. Let's hope the next time we hear about him it won't be because he too is once again trying to kill Americans.

(Excerpt) Read more at online.wsj.com ...


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Editorial; Foreign Affairs; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections; War on Terror
KEYWORDS: afghanistan; defense; detainees; guantanamo; hamdi; oconnor; pentagon; supremecourt; taliban

1 posted on 09/28/2004 5:21:03 AM PDT by OESY
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To: OESY

The liberal Democrats complain that Bush has allowed things to get out of hand in Afghanistan, but it is they who have demanded the release of these prisoners.


2 posted on 09/28/2004 5:21:58 AM PDT by Brilliant
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To: OESY

The WSJ should rename their article: "Free to Butcher Children Again".


3 posted on 09/28/2004 5:22:23 AM PDT by tkathy (There will be no world peace until all thuggocracies are gone from the earth.)
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To: OESY

NO PRISONERS


4 posted on 09/28/2004 5:24:43 AM PDT by CROSSHIGHWAYMAN (Anybody but Kerry!!)
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To: Brilliant
Under normal rules of war, when paroled prisoners of war return home they cannot resume hostilities, and if the paroling power (US) comes upon them on the battlefield engaged in hostilities, their lives are forfeit.

In other words, they are not entitled to the protections of a prisoner of war, and can be summarily killed.

5 posted on 09/28/2004 5:29:59 AM PDT by Kenton ("Life is tough, and it's really tough when you're stupid" - Damon Runyon)
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To: OESY

Fast trial, followed by a fast execution.

Stuff in a pig skin and bury in a pig sty.

Start messing with their AFTERLIFE since they care NOTHING about whether they live or die.


6 posted on 09/28/2004 5:32:13 AM PDT by gunnygail (Founding member of the Vast Right Wing Conspiracy. (I operate the minigun, more fun there)
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To: OESY

I still say they should release these vermin out the ramp of a C 130 while crossing the Atlantic. Preferrably at the exact location where Rep. Major Owens claims the sharks are waiting. After 140 years those sharks must be awful hungry by now.


7 posted on 09/28/2004 5:39:50 AM PDT by Bringbackthedraft (KERRY O4, THEY'RE KIDDING, RIGHT?)
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To: OESY

This is executive branch material.

They should have told the Court to go suck eggs... that they were outside their jurisdiction.

After all, do we allow the court to determine when the court is outside its jurisdiction? If that's the case, then they will never find themselves in error.


8 posted on 09/28/2004 5:42:33 AM PDT by xzins (Retired Army and Proudly Supporting BUSH/CHENEY 2004!)
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To: OESY
we still find it hard to imagine that a federal judge can do a better job than the executive branch of deciding whether or not a prisoner remains dangerous.

The Executive branch has sole authority over the military with the approval of the Legislature. That's why the President is the Commander in Chief. It will be a sad day when the President allows the Chief Justice to assume the role of Commander in Chief.

As the case with Ghaffer shows the Judiciary, should not, and cannot apply rules of domestic laws to military matters. The Justices in the Judicial branch are experts in matters of law, not in matters of war. What harm has been done by releasing Ghaffer, so that he may return to the battlefield against this nation's military is as yet unknown, but I'm sure no Justice will take responsibility for it.

The Judiciary has already expanded its power over the other two branches of government by its unconstitutional process of judicial review. If it is "allowed" to expand its power over the military as well this country will face the prospect of having, in effect, two CIC's, and the entire country will suffer for it. The president would do well to put the Judiciary in its place, and tell it to keep its nose out of the Executive's business.

9 posted on 09/28/2004 5:56:44 AM PDT by Noachian (A Democrat, by definition, is a Socialist.)
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To: OESY

"The Defense Department won't confirm or deny that Abdul Ghaffar did a stint at Gitmo before being deemed no longer a threat and sent home to Afghanistan.... "


Why not confirm it and cram this news down the throats of the Peacenik Weenies screaming about human rights violations.


10 posted on 09/28/2004 6:11:02 AM PDT by DTogo (U.S. out of the U.N. & U.N out of the U.S.)
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To: OESY

Kill them; kill them all. No exceptions.


11 posted on 09/28/2004 6:14:12 AM PDT by 7.62 x 51mm (• veni • veni • vino • visa • "I came, I saw, I drank wine, I shopped")
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To: OESY

DO NOT LET THESE PEOPLE GO. EVER.


12 posted on 09/28/2004 6:33:59 AM PDT by Malleus Dei ("Communists are just Democrats with less patience.")
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Comment #13 Removed by Moderator

To: meejahipe
we're supposed to be the "civilised" ones in all of this - time we acted that way?

We are, and we have. Welcome to FR, I see this is your first day here.

14 posted on 09/28/2004 7:09:04 AM PDT by Kenton ("Life is tough, and it's really tough when you're stupid" - Damon Runyon)
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Comment #15 Removed by Moderator

To: OESY

This is sickening, and not the first instance of a released killer striking U.S. forces.

I hope the mothers of U.S. soldiers stand up in outrage.

Freed to kill again is one disgusting U.S. policy.


16 posted on 09/28/2004 9:32:35 AM PDT by petertare (truth, justice and the American way)
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