Back to Front Page Text size + McCain attacks Guantanamo decision
Email|Link|Comments (27) Posted by Foon Rhee, deputy national political editor June 13, 2008 11:37 AM
John McCain today slammed the US Supreme Court ruling that terrorist detainees at Guantanamo Bay have a constitutional right to challenge their detention in civilian courts.
At a town hall meeting in Pemberton, N.J., McCain called it “one of the worst decisions in the history of this country.”
While McCain reminded voters that he has worked to prevent the torture of terrorism suspects, he also argued against giving those rights to enemy combatants who are not US citizens.
McCain also noted that US officials have said that about 30 detainees released from Guantanamo Bay have attacked American forces.
“There are some bad people down there,” he said, adding that the first obligation of the government is to ensure the nation’s safety. “This decision will harm our ability to do that.”
McCain also warned that the courts will be “flooded” with habeas corpus petitions, delaying the adjudication of the cases.
http://www.boston.com/news/politics/politicalintelligence/2008/06/mccain_attacks_1.html
You said:
McCain favored both of these things. He advocated Gitmo prisoners be given access to U.S. courts.
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BTW, my comments were not accurate, and I am sorry for that.
I remembered him coming up with decisions that would result in the detainees getting access to our courts. When I said what I did to you, it was based on that remembrance.
It wasn’t accurate to state that he advocated for access. I believe it would have been more accurate to state that his polices would have facilitated that access, despite his vocal objects to that access.
I should have address this in my response to you, and didn’t.