More of J Edgar Hoover's papers were released this week-it discussed Hoover's plan to jail 12,000 Americans that Hoover had spent years compiling. No cause would have been needed, Hoover had plans for prisons and military bases to be used to house the American citizens. The only trials the American citizens were going to be eligible for was by a military person and two civilians. The US President at the time refused to institute the plan, even though we were just getting involved in the Korean war.
Could this happen again, but this time, US citizens would be arrested, held indefinitely, with limited access to trial? Why or why not?
2007-12-23 16:13:17 · 18 answers · asked by edith clarke 7 in Politics & Government ➔ Politics
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7158029.stm
2007-12-23 16:15:17 · update #1
http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5juNYs1sX1e4HD7yIj2ecgmCZFkog
2007-12-23 16:16:50 · update #2
What a fascist Hoover, was, truly.
To answer your question, given that prisoners in Guantanamo have had all their human rights denied, short of outright murder, and the whole world knows it, and the Bush government persists with this policy, then really anything is possible. I'm sure they would already have done it if it could have been kept secret.
By the way, today's Age newspaper in Melbourne, Australia, reports that David Hicks was held "in a container in the hot sun, in the belief that he had been left there to die", and that he is now suffering extreme psychological damage. For this reason he cannot stand up in court to defend himself.
http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2007/12/23/1198344884073.html
For the record, I think Hicks probably was dangerous, but that does not justify deprivation of legal and human rights.
2007-12-23 16:30:23 · answer #1 · answered by zucchinisisback 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Under the Constitution, no. But then, much of what is happening at Gitmo is unconstitutional. Further, if you read/listen to the pronouncements of the Bush regime carefully, American citizens are NOT immune. All the administration has to do is declare someone an "enemy combatent"--no evidence to that is required.
This is NOT legal. But there is some evidence that Bush's pals have done exactly that in a few cases--though they've ended up in one of the "secret prisons" (rather than Gitmo) Bush is maintaining elsewhere in the world.
2007-12-23 16:33:32 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
Gitmo was established as a holding area for combatants captured in combat against US forces abroad. They are considered to be in prisoner of war status which is why there haven't been any trials. It was intended that they be held there until 1)the conflict ends, or 2)they are determined to be noncombatants (which means they cannot be held unless they are "illegal combatants"). An illegal combatant is anyone who participates in combat while giving the appearance of being a non-combatant. According to the Geneva Conventions, combatants must be readily identifiable on the battlefield (having distinctive uniforms, equipment, etc). Anyone in combat who does not comply with this is considered to be an illegal combatant and is subject to charges of war crimes for their acts.
Anyway, the only way US citizens can be held at Gitmo is to take up arms against US forces or commit acts of terror against the US or our allies. Given the current political climate, any US citizen held there will be heavily scrutinized by the Left in an effort to discredit the Bush Administration. So I think it extremely unlikely that any US citizen will be held at Gitmo (unless they fall into the category mentioned above).
2007-12-23 20:02:06 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
Because he is trying to appease the pinko, commie, puke, base of his supporters. They either can't understand or do not want to understand that they do not have constitutional rights and do not fall under the Geneva convention rules. If there is a country who will accept them as members of their military, fighting under their direction against us, then consider them for the Geneva convention rules. Why are there Americans who want to give rights to an enemy who wants to destroy our country and kill us and our troops. I question their loyalty to our great country.
2016-04-10 22:42:32 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Bushco has already earmarked money for Concentration Camps in America to house American citizens.
they are little more than fenced in parking lots of closed industrial buildings where the inmates would soon perish from the elements.
Google "American prison camps" or "American Concentration Camps" the details are already published and it is not up for debate.
2007-12-23 16:18:01 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 6⤊ 2⤋
A detention camp has already been built in N.Central WA.near Oroville,WA. Not a pretty sight!
2007-12-23 17:02:49 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
With the likes of George W. Bush as President, it could happen. Look at the Patriot Act, the suspension of habeus corpus and you have to conclude that GWB is interested in suppression.
2007-12-23 16:18:16 · answer #7 · answered by Sean 6 · 7⤊ 2⤋
It's possible, but not very likely. Any US citizens detained would probably be kept on US soil.
Incidentally, FYI American citizens *were* detained and subjected to military tribunals in WWII. AFAIK none were executed, but several were tried and sent to prison. No matter what lies the Daily Kos and MoveOn.org are telling you, the prisoners at Gitmo are being treated better and getting more legal options than those citizens had.
2007-12-23 16:30:54 · answer #8 · answered by dukefenton 7 · 0⤊ 5⤋
When you gradually let the executive grab mnore and more power, anything can happen. And that is exactly what we are doing.
2007-12-23 18:16:51 · answer #9 · answered by ash 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
With Bush in charge, yes.
2007-12-24 08:25:34 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋