March 2002: President Bush authorizes the indefinite detention of enemy combatants.
April 2010: President Obama keeps that program intact.
Watch as the left heads explode:
The White House is considering endorsing a law that would allow the indefinite detention of some alleged terrorists without trial as part of efforts to break a logjam with Congress over President Barack Obama’s plans to close the Guantanamo Bay prison, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) said Monday…
Civil liberties advocates and many who back Obama’s effort to close Guantanamo have opposed a preventive detention law as a departure from the tradition of prosecuting and punishing individuals for specific crimes. Some critics have also expressed worries that such a law would be hard to limit and could be extended well beyond Al Qaeda operatives.
Asked why the administration had become more open to a detention statute, Graham cited recent court rulings and comments by several federal judges who said the legal standards for detaining enemy prisoners are too vague
Right on the heels of this news:
The Taliban’s top military commander was captured several days ago in Karachi, Pakistan, in a secret joint operation by Pakistani and American intelligence forces, according to American government officials.
The commander, Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, is an Afghan described by American officials as the most significant Taliban figure to be detained since the American-led war in Afghanistan started more than eight years ago. He ranks second in influence only to Mullah Muhammad Omar, the Taliban’s founder and a close associate of Osama bin Laden before the Sept. 11 attacks.
Mullah Baradar has been in Pakistani custody for several days, with American and Pakistani intelligence officials both taking part in interrogations, according to the officials.
It was unclear whether he was talking, but the officials said his capture had provided a window into the Taliban and could lead to other senior officials. Most immediately, they hope he will provide the whereabouts of Mullah Omar, the one-eyed cleric who is the group’s spiritual leader.
I’m shocked his lawyer hasn’t been flown via Air Force One yet, but maybe Obama and company are seeing the light?
Did the U.S. deliberately not take possession of Baladar so as to avoid the now-thorny issue of Baradar’s right to counsel and to remain silent?
And if so, what does that say about our policies regarding people, such as the failed Detroit airplane bomber, who are in our possession?
Ok, stop laughing. After the beating Holder and Obama took after the asinine decision to Mirandize the crotchbomber maybe they deliberately said “eh, lets just let Pakistan guys interrogate him.”
But didn’t Obama complain about the detainee’s being transferred to other countries?
Yes he did:
Our greatest tool in advancing democracy is our own example. That’s why I will end torture, end extraordinary rendition and indefinite detentions; restore habeas corpus; and close the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay.
Either way, congrats to those in the CIA who were part of this operation. Lets just hope Obama and Holder stay out of the way and allow us to get the information needed to protect this country.
I’m not holding my breath tho as those on their side of the aisle worry and fret that the likes of Baradar may have music blasted into his cell:
The Taliban’s military commander has been captured in a joint Pakistani-U.S. intelligence raid. A high-five to Langley: this is one serious motherfucking success. Now it’s really important we don’t screw it all up by abusing Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar.
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