Matt, you might be right in what you say…but that was uncalled for.

Regarding the Guantanamo comments above; Looking at the issue through another tact.. We are signatories to the Geneva Conventions; Article 3 has been called a “Convention in miniature.” It is the only article of the Geneva Conventions that applies in non-international conflicts. Regardless of citizenship or lack thereof): Noncombatants, combatants who have laid down their arms, and combatants who are hors de combat (out of the fight) due to wounds, detention, or any other cause shall in all circumstances be treated humanely, including prohibition of outrages upon personal dignity, in particular humiliating and degrading treatment.

These are the rules we maintain for those seeking to harm us on the fiel dof battle.

The precendent has been set for military tribunals that they are capable of passing of sentences as a regularly constituted court, affording all the judicial guarantees which are recognized as indispensable by civilized peoples. They do not circumvent the constitution but are adapted due to the conflict occuring outside our borders.

Article 3′s protections exist even if one is not classified as a prisoner of war.

So many seem to forget or ignore that Article IV specifies that when there is any doubt whether a combatant belongs to the categories in article 4, they “should be treated as such until their status has been determined by a competent tribunal.”

What people need to understand it is not the direct conflict with extremism which endangers us as much as our European peers. As a Nation we are fairly insular and the difficulties in reaching our shores is a great strength which needs to be capitalized upon.

The danger instead lies with in the constant state of conflict which works to our oppositions favor. The longer our nation remains in conflict; the longer it takes for us to resolve the cases of our prisoners; the more security we must impose; the more it erodes the fiber of our nation.

Federalist Paper no. 8 sums it up best:

Safety from external danger is the most powerful director of national conduct. Even the ardent love of liberty will, after a time, give way to its dictates. The violent destruction of life and property incident to war, the continual effort and alarm attendant on a state of continual danger, will compel nations the most attached to liberty to resort for repose and security to institutions which have a tendency to destroy their civil and political rights. To be more safe, they at length become willing to run the risk of being less free.

This is what our enemy desires; a protracted fight where we lose our moral high ground on the world stage. Where we bleed from a thousand cuts that strip us of the ideals that we are supposed to defend.

Later in FP41 another great statement may be found, America united, without even a single soldier, is far more threatening to aggressive nations than an America disunited with a hundred thousand combat-ready veterans.

Parallel justice system do not belong in this country. For many reason if not the simplest…they are no good at dispensing justice and act more on the whims of those in charge.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us_and_americas/article7092435.ece

Any system that has such a large percentage of “by-catch” i.e. innocent civilians is not a good one.

But go ahead and tell me how Un-American I am. Call me a d*#@ all day long. I’ve been called much worse by much better. It really does not bother me.

““In essence, the AGs statements subordinate the rights of US citizens to those individuals who wish to destroy those rights”

Glenn Beck called and he wants his meds back.”

…..

“Every time a stupid article comes out voicing that we subvert the constitution to fit the world view of ignorant xenophobic Glenn Beck fans then I’ll be there.”

I am not a fan of Glenn Beck, but I am a full fledged supporter and defender of Ayaan Hirshi Ali. This article of hers is particularly relevant to this topic.

” We need to recognize the extent to which the advance of radical Islam is the result of an active propaganda campaign. According to a CIA report written in 2003, the Saudis invested at least $2 billion a year over a 30-year period to spread their brand of fundamentalist Islam. The Western response in promoting our own civilization was negligible.

Our civilization is not indestructible: It needs to be actively defended. This was perhaps Huntington’s most important insight. The first step towards winning this clash of civilizations is to understand how the other side is waging it—and to rid ourselves of the One World illusion.”

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703426004575338471355710184.html

That does mean we destroy it ourselves in what we misguidedly think is its defense

Oy. Should be: “does NOT mean”

Great minds think alike, Grandpa! (and while I can’t speak for myself, I know damn well that Grandpa’s mind is not small, so don’t trot that one out).

“Our civilization is not indestructible: It needs to be actively defended. This was perhaps Huntington’s most important insight.”

Yes compeletly agree. That is why we must adhere to our constitution (including the 2nd ad) no matter what.

“the Saudis invested at least $2 billion a year over a 30-year period to spread their brand of fundamentalist Islam. The Western response in promoting our own civilization was negligible.”

Then we should be doing our best then to rid ourselves of Saudi oil. Bottom line. Left and Right completly agree on this.