The Bush administration recently defended the President's order to try suspected international terrorists before military tribunals, provided they are not citzens of the United States, without the benefit of the "principles of law and the rules of evidence" that govern ordinary criminal trials.
Even former prosecutor, current Congressman, and conversative torch-bearer Bob Barr reacted angrily:
[I]t seems their attitude is, 'Well, that wasn't enough so we're going to take more,' I'm not sure we can ever satisfy the federal government's insatiable appetite for more power.
Vice President Dick Cheney said of the as-yet-undetermined people who might be tried by secret military courts:
They don't deserve the same guarantees and safeguards that would be used for an American citizen going through the normal judicial process.
Why don't "they" deserve protection, Mr. Cheney? Is it because they are non-citizens? Is it because we have already presumed them guilty before trial? Either answer is unacceptable.
Posted by wasylik at November 16, 2001 12:21 PM | TrackBack