Congress may desire to consider what to do with these captured terrorists, long term. In the meantime, we are right to hold them and they should have no rights under the Geneva Convention, designed as it was for another times and wars between nation-states. Al Qaida terrorists and others are not entitled to prisoner of war treatment.
"Alberto R. Gonzales, the White House counsel, testifying Thursday before the Senate Judiciary Committee on his nomination to become attorney general, noted that the Justice Department had issued a legal opinion last year saying non-Iraqis captured by American forces in Iraq are not entitled to the protections of the Geneva Conventions.
"We had members of Al Qaida, intent on killing Americans, flooding into or coming into Iraq," Mr. Gonzales testified. "And the question was legitimately raised, in my judgment, as to whether or not - what were the legal limits about how to deal with these terrorists."
"There was a fear about creating a sanctuary for terrorists if we were to say that if you come and fight against America in the conflict with Iraq, that you would receive the protections of a prisoner of war," he said."
Here's why its a good thing Kerry is not President. He would likely have been softer ofn terrorists. Why should we put non-citizens on trial?
"The extraordinary circumstances surrounding the suspected Qaeda and Taliban prisoners have prompted increasing statements of concern from members of Congress, who say the administration has shown little sign of willingness to put the prisoners on trial and who have questioned whether there is adequate legal basis for their indefinite detention."
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