Guantanamo gong show.

[I Think]

Chaos and defiance at Guantanamo court
By Jonathan Beale
BBC News, Guantanamo Bay

The new high security US military courtroom at Guantanamo has had its share of problems: microphones not working, mistranslations by court interpreters and a few failed video links to the outside world.

But it is nothing compared to the chaos that surrounded what was supposed to be the latest appearance of the five men accused of plotting the attacks on 11 September 2001.
None of them showed up - at least for the start. The US military judge was informed that they were boycotting the proceedings.

A row then followed between members of the prosecution, who argued that at least some should be brought to the court by "all necessary means", and members of the defence team, who argued that their clients were being harassed and should not be subjected to a "forced cell extraction".
In the end three of them did appear, though it soon became two. Mustafa al-Hawsawi asked to leave as soon as he was told that he would not be allowed to speak.

He casually waved goodbye to his co-accused while being escorted to the exit surrounded by uniformed guards. His defence lawyer - Major Jon Jackson - argued that his client had been tricked into coming with promises that he would be permitted to talk.

The fact that two of the five did not even leave their cell showed the defendants' contempt for the court

The no-show by the alleged mastermind of the 9/11 attacks - Khalid Sheikh Mohammed - was perhaps the biggest surprise.

In the past he has appeared to be the ringleader from whom the others take their cue. But even locked in his cell perhaps he was still orchestrating proceedings and trying to make a mockery of US military justice.

Only Ramzi Binalshibh - sometimes described as the 20th hijacker (one of a number who claim that title) - followed his example by staying away.
'Gag order'

The hearing was supposed to focus on questions about the mental capacity of two of the accused - Ramzi Binalshibh and Mustafa al-Hawsawi.

Neither so far has been allowed to represent themselves in court - and much to their obvious annoyance they are having to rely on the defence of US military lawyers.
Those lawyers tried to make their arguments. But whenever they went into any detail their microphones were cut off.

Mr Binalshibh's defence lawyer, Commander Suzanne Lachelier, explained how her client suffered from a "delusional disorder". The court heard how he believed that camp guards were trying to pump noxious fumes into his cell.

Cdr Lachelier started to explain how sleep deprivation had affected his health - but that is about all we heard before her microphone went dead. She was discussing "classified" information and reluctantly agreed to comply with what she called the "gagging" order.

Later in the afternoon a whole session was held behind closed doors without a journalist in sight to discuss more "classified" information.

The fact that two of the five did not even leave their cell showed the defendants' contempt for the court. But that was underlined by the actions of the few who bothered to attend.

Walid Bin Attash summed it up when he playfully threw a paper plane (presumably made out of court documents) at his co-accused when the proceedings were drawing to a close.

Relatives' grief
It was in stark contrast to the response of the family members of the victims of the 9/11 attacks.
Nine - chosen by lottery - had been flown by the Pentagon to witness the latest appearance of the five accused of planning the murder of their loved ones. While we may have seen chaos, they were witnessing the slow wheels of justice moving. There was praise for the US military who had to guard the detainees and for the controversial legal proceedings introduced by President George W Bush. There was also universal condemnation of President Barack Obama's decision to close down Guantanamo and to halt the trials. Judith Reiss - who lost her son Joshua in New York's twin towers - had campaigned for Barack Obama. She described herself as an "Obama Mama".
But when it came to Guantanamo she said he had got it wrong. And as the president's deadline for closing Guantanamo fast approaches, those voices will only get louder.

[rookie314]

You really need a life.

[StraitTalk]

You really need a life.

I hope you realize how astronomically pathetic you sound.

[rookie314]

I sound pathetic, or the guy who spends all day and night posting anti-american propoganda on Castanet?

[I Think]

Actually I care very much about the US, and think that if Guantanamo and other horrible mistakes by the last bunch o clowns is kept front and center, just maybe the people won't allow that sort of thing to keep happening.

Personal attacks of that sort just demonstrate ignorance on the part of the attacker.

[Big ned]

Nibs, give the personal attack thing a rest. We could say that to you in just about every post in the religion forum.

What that post says to me is that since Obama took over and gave all the terrorists the rights equivalent to US citizens, they are treating the whole trial like a mockery. If they were still considered terrorists and not given such far reaching rights they wouldn't act this way.

I almost barfed when I heard obama was having terrorists mirandized in Afghanistan. Really pathetic stuff.

[I Think]

Neddie, the refusal of the US to recognize human rights, as set out in the Geneva accord is criminal.
Obama is trying to correct the wrongs done at guantanamo and other secret torture sites.
If you think that un tried and un convicted people should be tortured well I feel sorry for you.

[logicalview]

Obama is trying to correct the wrongs done at guantanamo and other secret torture sites

Sure he is, sure he's "trying".

Barry has the authority to close the facility immediately. He promised to do just that in order to cull some votes. He then broke that promise.

The reason why Gitmo is still open for business is because Barry sees value in it.

If BH Obama really, really wanted to, he'd pick a date.

Secret torture sites.

[AlanH]

Obama is trying to correct the wrongs done at guantanamo and other secret torture sites

Sure he is, sure he's "trying".

Barry has the authority to close the facility immediately. He promised to do just that in order to cull some votes. He then broke that promise.

The reason why Gitmo is still open for business is because Barry sees value in it.

If BH Obama really, really wanted to, he'd pick a date.

Secret torture sites.

Good think you can show that you have no clue what you speak of. Keep up the great job there Biasview.

[Big ned]

Gee nibs... I think you are the one that doesn't know what he is talking about. You read too many liberal talking points...maybe try thinking or researching for yourself.

The Geneva convention deals with prisoners of war, not terrorists. The united states isn't beholden to the geneva convention regarding the the terrorists held at guantanamo bay. Let alone mirandizing terrorists. It is stupid and it is dangerous.

[eyepop]

Gee nibs... I think you are the one that doesn't know what he is talking about. You read too many liberal talking points...maybe try thinking or researching for yourself. [blahblahblah]

The Geneva convention deals with prisoners of war, not terrorists. The united states isn't beholden to the geneva convention regarding the the terrorists held at guantanamo bay. Let alone mirandizing terrorists. It is stupid and it is dangerous.

anybody imprisoned as a captive through the war on 'terror' (which is just a tactic like trench warfare or air warfare)...

is a prisoner of war.


________________
ka-P.O.W.

[Big ned]

Not according to the definition of a prisoner of war. My understanding is they must represent a country and wear a uniform to apply. If the terrorists don't follow the handbook on warfare or the geneva convention (which they obviously don't) then it doesn't apply to this war on terror. Why in world would you handicap one side (those trying to protect freedom and democracy) against a bunch of beheading thugs that want to destroy the western way of life?

This is what I can' figure out about Obama. He is actually going beyond the geneva convention with his mirandizing terrorist caught in afghanistan. It is truly a joke and quite pathetic.

Guantanamo bay should remain open and Obama is finding that it needs to in order to keep the worst of the worst from reoffending (as has already happened with some that have been released).

[eyepop]

Not according to the definition of a prisoner of war. My understanding is they must represent a country and wear a uniform to apply..

are they able to apply online?










_________________
apply here

[I Think]

Neddie thinks that if an American cop decides he is a terrorist called Big Mehdi - he should be sent to Guantanamo with the rest of the terrorists and get water boarded dozens of times a week, not be able to see his lawyer and wait seven years in a cage, being sleep deprived until they realize their mistake.
Once the have realized he is a raging right wing nut radical, they won't be able to let him go because they cannot admit to their mistake.
Big Mehdi is still waiting for his beloved harper to send an envoy to Gitmo to get him released, which in the case of other Canadians ain't gonna happen, ask Arar,or any Canadian imprisoned at Gitmo.

[eyepop]

,or any Canadian imprisoned at Gitmo.

the canadian.