[hophead]

" D.C. is not a State - it is a territory that the US legislature has exclusive legislative jurisdiction over"

So, we can confer the protections of the US Constitution on illegal aliens and terrorists who are being held in Gitmo, but not on legal residents for the SOLE reason that they live in DC? Sounds absurd to me. Are the OTHER articles of the Bill of Rights in the Constitution not guaranteed to DC residents? I cannot recall any other "rights" not conferred to those residents of DC.

[dangerdoc]

DC residents whine all the time about their right to be represented.

[GrandEagle]

So, we can confer the protections of the US Constitution on illegal aliens and terrorists who are being held in Gitmo
Depends... If arrested inside one of the 50 States, the Constitution is clear. Also, depending what "status" you want to consider these folks (illegal combatants, POW's, etc. - a different discussion) duly ratified treaties apply because the Constitution says so.

Many "rights" are conferred to D.C., along with Guam, Puerto Rico, and other possessions of the U.S. just because it is right. They are not a party to the Constitution but they do reap the benefits of being a possession of a country who wants to treat them right.