Bush wants to be able to use secret evidence, that no defendant or defending lawyer can access.
But, "The military judge advocates general, [and] senior legal advisers to their branches of the armed forces, told Congress the plan failed to give suspects enough legal rights because it restricted their access to evidence."
See one of many articles on this at: http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20060907/pl_nm/security_detainees_trials_dc
2006-09-07 15:52:45 · 4 answers · asked by Steve 6 in Politics & Government ➔ Politics
What?!?!?! George W. Bush wants to violate someone's civil rights? The hell you say!
2006-09-07 15:56:22 · answer #1 · answered by volleyballchick (cowards block) 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
The president proposed legislation Wednesday that would aid the government in prosecuting terrorists using secret military tribunals. The proposal left Republicans again divided over how the nation should treat its most dangerous terror suspects, setting up a showdown in Congress just weeks away from elections when all members will try to sell themselves as tough on terror.
Bush’s announcement was immediately praised by those who said his policies were necessary to win the war on terror.
Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, R-Tenn., said he would like to take up the bill on the Senate floor as soon as possible, leaving open the door for a vote on the measure before lawmakers break at the end of the month for election campaigning.
But some GOP moderates are challenging the proposal. They include three senators with hefty credentials: Sen. John McCain of Arizona, who spent more than five years as a prisoner of war in North Vietnam; Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, a former military lawyer who still serves in the Air Force Reserves as a reserve judge; and Sen. John Warner of Virginia, chairman of the Armed Services Committee.
Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid said Bush’s decision to prosecute the terrorists held by the CIA was long overdue. But, he added, the military commission system should be properly vetted through the Armed Services Committee.
2006-09-07 15:54:55 · answer #2 · answered by dstr 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
There is sufficient opposition to Bush's terror trial plan in the Senate to insure it won't pass muster. Senators Graham, Warner, and McCain are superbly qualified to oppose Bush's plan. I feel sure they won't back down. During Senate hearings related to this issue a few months ago, Senator Graham was rocking furiously as the Attorney General blathered on and on. Senator Graham is passionate on this issue and won't back down. Nor will Warner and McCain. Bill Frist is wrong on this issue.
2006-09-07 16:17:54 · answer #3 · answered by murphy 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Bush is absolutely wrong. Justice depends on due process. Closed court proceedings are certainly a more appropriate option.
My own opinion is that the so called "secret evidence" is just that completely secret to all involved, because it don't exist.
When even the military starts to question the president's behavior...well then folks there's a problem.
2006-09-07 15:57:24 · answer #4 · answered by KERMIT M 6 · 4⤊ 0⤋