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Court's Ruling On Gitmo Sends Wrong Message

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: June 21, 2008

Sanctuary In U.S. Courts

Regarding "Supreme Court Says Detainees Can Seek 'Relief' " (front page, June 13):

In the Guantanamo Bay decision, the U.S. Supreme Court has handed the Islamic butchers a wedge into the American legal system that will embolden, support and aid the enemy.

Common sense tells me there is no equal protection under American law for barbaric lunacy demonstrated in the Middle Ages that is practiced by non-uniformed Islamic murderers in the 21st century.

While our border guards languish in prison for actions taken to protect our borders and our military members are on trial for killing terrorists under orders by the U.S. government, the U.S. Supreme Court gives Islamic terrorists sanctuary in U.S. courts.

HARRY RILEY

Crestview

Commanders In Chief?

Our new commander in chief - a committee comprised of power-hungry judges with a limited grasp of historical precedent and an even more limited grasp of the separation of powers concept - has abrogated unto itself the task of managing wartime defense. Next up is an appeal from the Second Circuit that will give our new collective commander in chief the opportunity to decide that terrorists can sue senior officials in American courts based on alleged violations of their civil rights.

Instead of engaging in spectacular acts of mass murder, the Islamic terrorists should just continue to cause our so-called judicial system to prostitute itself for their benefit. In the long run, they will benefit more by doing so, both in terms of body count and in terms of the destruction of the will of the one country in the world that has the temerity to oppose them, notwithstanding the efforts of the left and their judicial allies to warp the Constitution on behalf of Islamic murderers.

JEFF MEYER

Clearwater

Recipe For Disaster

Regarding "Foundation Of A Democracy" (Letters, June 16):

The Supreme Court's decision to allow the detainees at Guantanamo Bay to seek habeas corpus in U.S. courts is a recipe for disaster.

Now anyone captured on the battlefield can demand an immediate writ of habeas corpus to ascertain if they are being held legally. Do we next have to advise battlefield captives of their "Miranda rights" as well? Must we have attorneys present at the front lines to ensure that all captives have their legal rights?

Much has also been made of the rights of the detainees under the Geneva Conventions. Take the time to read them, particularly Article 4, which defines who is entitled to protection under the Conventions. The terrorists do not meet any of these requirements.

HARRY CHAMBERLAIN

Spring Hill

Merely A Judicial Review

Regarding "Ruling Favors Bad Guys" (Letters, June 16):

My jaw dropped as I read one reader's take on the recent Supreme Court decision regarding detainees.

I'll overlook the sheer childish simplicity as he refers to "the bad guys" as if it's some 1950s cops-and-robbers show and pose this question: Suppose an American had been captured in a Middle Eastern country and held for six years and had no formal charges made against him, had no access to any meaningful information about what he was being charged with and had scant legal representation and no idea when, if ever, he would be charged with anything and therefore held forever?

The decision of the Supreme Court is not to release anyone. It is merely a judicial review of their case in an American court. The genius of this country is its overwhelming willingness to be fair and abide by the rule of law. The notion that just because you are not an American citizen, you have no rights afforded a citizen, flies in the face of all that is decent in this country.

PHIL RYAN

Land O' Lakes

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