Abandoning the Constitution to Military Tribunals

Village Voice ^ | 11/21/01 | Nat Hentoff

[Steven W.]

Why is it that only Republicans concern the liberals when it comes to the law ???? And why is it they were never concerned about Clinton breaking the law? Besides the fact the military tribunals and other new tactics to take down terrorists are all no-brainers IMHO.

[dead]

Why is it that only Republicans concern the liberals when it comes to the law ???? And why is it they were never concerned about Clinton breaking the law?

You obviously don’t read Hentoff much.

[scooter2]

The Village Voice, aka The Village Idiots.

[dirtboy]

Well, I think some opponents of tribunals raise good points, and Hentoff has been consistent enough in the past that he bears a hearing. I think it would be better if Bush got some Congressional buy-in to the process, and the tribunals were approved for two-years stints so they do not become a permanent fixture.

[Media2Powerful]

The libs are panicking because of W's huge popularity numbers. This is just a drama student wannabe ranting in a useless attempt to give his scumbag political party a new platform.

[dirtboy]

You obviously don’t read Hentoff much.

Yep. I tend to ignore the rantings from the likes of Dershowitz, but Hentoff, I'll listen what he has to say. Hentoff has been one of the most principled defenders of the Bill of Rights from the Left. I don't agree with everything he says here, but the tribunals are a very, very tricky tool to give to government - and should be implemented by Congress with a sunset provision, not by Executive Order.

[dirtboy]

This is just a drama student wannabe ranting in a useless attempt to give his scumbag political party a new platform

Hentoff is anything but. He was one of the few on the left who have stood up to Clinton, who have been against abortion, and have championed the ENTIRE Bill of Rights, not just the first part of the First Amendment.

[Media2Powerful]

See Ann Coulter's latest column on the subject. She's says it much much better than I can.

[avenir]

Before Bush instituted military tribunals for the terrorists, I read a piece in TIME (!) which said that the President's authority to do so was "well established".

Anyone have any experience in this area?

[Media2Powerful]

You are right about Hentoff during the Clinton crime drama. However, this rant is typical liberal garb, IMHO.

[dirtboy]

See Ann Coulter's latest column on the subject. She's says it much much better than I can.

And then we should put Coulter's column next to Hentoff's, debate their points (they both have them), and forge a workable middle path on tribunals. But implementing tribunals via E.O. doesn't accomplish that, and although I have some level of trust for Bush, I personally don't trust Ashcroft as far as I can throw him.

[Media2Powerful]

Well, I differ with you on Ashcroft. I think he's wonderful!!!!! ....and a far cry from Rambo Reno.

[dead]

This is just a drama student wannabe ranting in a useless attempt to give his scumbag political party a new platform.

Boy are you clueless!

Nat Hentoff has been consistently fighting for adherence to the Constitution (especially the Bill of Rights) since before you were born.

[okiedust]

Well, I would expect this from Nat Hentoff he is true to his principles and his believes he needs to be consistant with them. One thing he didn't consider, all these "criminals" will probably be "shot trying to escape" if they can't try them by tribunal. That would of course be after they had learned everything they needed from them.

regards

[Askel5]

Hentoff has been consistent enough in the past that he bears a hearing

He wipes the floor with most of the self-styled "pro-lifers" around here.

He's also one of perhaps 4 journalists to give the tainted blood scandal an full airing WITHIN the United States.

[dirtboy]

However, this rant is typical liberal garb, IMHO.

Well, the Constitution does allow for suspension of habeous corpus during invasion, and we've been invaded. But the section allowing that is in the part that describes legislative powers, not executive. I do agree that tribunals are legal - but they carry a tremendous potential danger to all of us, and should be treated as such.

[dighton]

Hentoff has been one of the most principled defenders of the Bill of Rights from the Left.

That's correct. Very likely I'll disagree with most of this article, but Hentoff is NOT a political whore.

[MindBender26]

Mr. Hentoff should step out of the Village Voice office, walk a few blocks downtown, and ask the 5000 people permanently gathered there if we should make it any easier on terrorists.