Jennifer LeighClosing Guantanamo: Terrorism wins!
February 2nd 2009 22:05
This is what I know about Terrorism…… It works. Terrorist “regimes” are either politically or religiously motivated. Those premised on religion are usually the most dangerous. Terrorists are both foreign and domestic, and some foreign enemies of the American people have acclimated amongst us.
Terrorists are not global citizens, but rather global criminals and have sole interest in their own personal beliefs and moral certitude. They are methodical. Calculative. Secretive and are devoutly loyal to their cause and beliefs. They will not snitch. Terrorists are intensely self-righteous, not to mention self- indulgent and have no qualms about who they kill or what damage they do- it doesn’t matter your age, race, religion, socioeconomic status- your name, if you are an American, they prefer you dead. The more collective the body count the greater their success and the bigger the smile and public mockery.
Terrorists are in ever-active recruitment. All over the United States and foreign nations. They do not hesitate to tear children from the arms of their mothers to train them in warfare. Women are not immune either. It is a mission to kill Americans because we are deemed as an immoral society, that we follow and abuse a free democracy. Being a capitalist nation doesn’t seem to work in our favor either.
Domestic Terrorists hate the Government and groups that engage in activities or selling products that these “terrorists” stand against. Both Foreign and Domestic- terrorists are humanity’s greatest enemy.
Yet, we share the earth, air and sky.
It was an issue of priority for President Barack Obama to address American policy regarding terrorism. An “out with the old and in with the new” strategy on the issue of national security and how we “look” as a nation to other nations was a huge concern. The new President regarding terrorism has initiated recent decisions and actions, that may be irrevocably detrimental. By giving these non-citizen detainee’s that murdered thousands of innocent people, and millions of victims in the wake our rights, those they despise so much- we let them win!
In a matter of time, the military protocol for handling crimes of terrorism are going to be stuffed loosely in manila folders and tossed on an unwitting prosecutors desk that is not going to want to have anything to do with the trial in the least bit. What defense attorney would even want to touch such a case? There is no protocol for sentences for this severe of offense. Neither our Federal or State Court system are prepared to deal with war crimes, and Court Martial’s are not places for Terrorists.We are handing them America, like it’s candy to rambunctious children
With the closing of Guantanamo Bay pending, and the complete shut down of all secret CIA detention centers, the investigations now not only turn to terrorists- but of our own people- our great defenders. Is this my new America? Further halted are interrogations and investigations of Al-Queda suspects. Instead, our government is going to review how our military handled those detainee’s, review interrogations, decide what detainee’s to cut loose, send home, or transport off to a Federal Prison or contracted bed -because we have so much room here. Currently we house 201,784 Federal prisoners, the following is a table obtained from the Bureau of Prison that breaks down prisoner offense data:
Drug Offenses: 98,168 (52.5 %)
Weapons, Explosives, Arson: 28,186 (15.1 %)
Immigration: 19,860 (10.6 %)
Robbery: 8,918 (4.8 %)
Burglary, Larceny, Property Offenses: 6,705 (3.6 %)
Extortion, Fraud, Bribery: 9,011 (4.8 %)
Homicide, Aggravated Assault, and Kidnapping Offenses: 5,563 (3.0 %)
Miscellaneous: 2,039 (1.1 %)
Sex Offenses: 6,297 (3.4 %)
Banking and Insurance, Counterfeit, Embezzlement: 893 (0.5 %)
Courts or Corrections: 685 (0.4 %)
Continuing Criminal Enterprise: 556 (0.3 %)
National Security: 94 (0.1 %)
Looking at that, I mean really looking at that, are we even capable of breaking these kinds of criminals down to get to the truth? Is our system even educated enough, or even have the right resources to do this right? Are we skilled and trained at prosecuting and convicting homicidal, suicidal, religious fanatics? Can our criminal justice system handle this degree of violence? No, it cant and that is how terrorism wins.
We give in. We give them the rights that they deeply hate us so much for that they would rather kill us because we treasure them– and we negotiate. They wield guns, bombs- but when we defend ourselves of that, we are war mongers. We have given Nobel Peace prizes. Dinners at the white house. Of the detainee’s that have been released from Guantanamo Bay since September 11th , 61 went on to reunite with Al-Queda. I see that as a symbol of loyalty, secrecy and enduring dedication that they hold to their cause and their people.
Ok, so every now and then we actually prosecute murderers here in America. We even give survivors of rape, child molestation, torture- some slight taste of justice here and there. We can prosecute DWI offenders hardcore. We really don’t care about victims who are robbed so unless you’re somebody really important otherwise forget it. Every now and then, we’ll hold a domestic violence offender accountable, give them chance after chance before we get harsh.
However, the majority of crimes that we experience day to day our ever so prized criminal justice system just has a way of letting victims down. We still fall short- we fail to prevent abuse, harassment and stalking. We often fail missing child cases until it’s too late. If it hadn’t been for an average couple in Florida, to have lost their child in tragic way, and a strong passionate man and father to crusade for help- I doubt we’d have any better protocol then we did in 1981. Our system didn’t work for advanced laws and procedures, victims did. It’s true that statistics vary, but the majority average to report that only 30% of criminal offenses ever result in a charge,
We have a criminal justice system that sees the same offenders on a repeated basis, which speaks for itself. Thus far, we have exonerated I believe, 200 people for crimes that they never committed but were convicted of based on DNA. Appreciate what we can do forensically- it is a gift- and the only barriers to what it can accomplish is the money- staff, equipment and of course the ACLU, if they have their way, they will ban banking DNA despite it’s use in solving crimes.
The interior of life within prison walls is ever darkening and criminals only becoming smarter, quicker, wiser, clever and more well thought out offenders. They become more aggressive. After serving a term of 4 years or longer, that prisoner has evolved into an inmate- it’s who they become, and the majority will carry that mentality with them for the rest of their lives. We have nothing to be proud of in terms of rehabilitation. That is simply a pretty word used cosmetically much like “Child Protective Services” to make everything look and feel good.
Once President Obama signed the hold barring any further proceedings, investigations and interviews for 120 days, 2 cases against suspected terrorists were put on hold. But, in a daring move made by a Military Judge, Coronel James Pohl, on January 29th has the Pentagon shaking it’s critical finger. Judge Pohl refused to suspend the arraignment hearing regarding Ghaleb Al-Bihani, a Yemeni who has been detained for approximately 7 years. Al-Bihani has been identified as the being responsible for planning the attack on the USS Cole in 2000. There is evidence to the effect; he fought in the Arab Brigade, supported Al-Queda and the Taliban. His links to Al-Queda have been firmly established. If we value our Constitution at all I ask what are we doing? This tribunal needs to proceed and it needs to be done at the hands of professionals. The Guantanamo detainee’s need to be tried for crimes against America, not tried in America. This is how Terrorists win.
Terrorists are not global citizens, but rather global criminals and have sole interest in their own personal beliefs and moral certitude. They are methodical. Calculative. Secretive and are devoutly loyal to their cause and beliefs. They will not snitch. Terrorists are intensely self-righteous, not to mention self- indulgent and have no qualms about who they kill or what damage they do- it doesn’t matter your age, race, religion, socioeconomic status- your name, if you are an American, they prefer you dead. The more collective the body count the greater their success and the bigger the smile and public mockery.
Terrorists are in ever-active recruitment. All over the United States and foreign nations. They do not hesitate to tear children from the arms of their mothers to train them in warfare. Women are not immune either. It is a mission to kill Americans because we are deemed as an immoral society, that we follow and abuse a free democracy. Being a capitalist nation doesn’t seem to work in our favor either.
Domestic Terrorists hate the Government and groups that engage in activities or selling products that these “terrorists” stand against. Both Foreign and Domestic- terrorists are humanity’s greatest enemy.
Yet, we share the earth, air and sky.
It was an issue of priority for President Barack Obama to address American policy regarding terrorism. An “out with the old and in with the new” strategy on the issue of national security and how we “look” as a nation to other nations was a huge concern. The new President regarding terrorism has initiated recent decisions and actions, that may be irrevocably detrimental. By giving these non-citizen detainee’s that murdered thousands of innocent people, and millions of victims in the wake our rights, those they despise so much- we let them win!
In a matter of time, the military protocol for handling crimes of terrorism are going to be stuffed loosely in manila folders and tossed on an unwitting prosecutors desk that is not going to want to have anything to do with the trial in the least bit. What defense attorney would even want to touch such a case? There is no protocol for sentences for this severe of offense. Neither our Federal or State Court system are prepared to deal with war crimes, and Court Martial’s are not places for Terrorists.We are handing them America, like it’s candy to rambunctious children
With the closing of Guantanamo Bay pending, and the complete shut down of all secret CIA detention centers, the investigations now not only turn to terrorists- but of our own people- our great defenders. Is this my new America? Further halted are interrogations and investigations of Al-Queda suspects. Instead, our government is going to review how our military handled those detainee’s, review interrogations, decide what detainee’s to cut loose, send home, or transport off to a Federal Prison or contracted bed -because we have so much room here. Currently we house 201,784 Federal prisoners, the following is a table obtained from the Bureau of Prison that breaks down prisoner offense data:
Drug Offenses: 98,168 (52.5 %)
Weapons, Explosives, Arson: 28,186 (15.1 %)
Immigration: 19,860 (10.6 %)
Robbery: 8,918 (4.8 %)
Burglary, Larceny, Property Offenses: 6,705 (3.6 %)
Extortion, Fraud, Bribery: 9,011 (4.8 %)
Homicide, Aggravated Assault, and Kidnapping Offenses: 5,563 (3.0 %)
Miscellaneous: 2,039 (1.1 %)
Sex Offenses: 6,297 (3.4 %)
Banking and Insurance, Counterfeit, Embezzlement: 893 (0.5 %)
Courts or Corrections: 685 (0.4 %)
Continuing Criminal Enterprise: 556 (0.3 %)
National Security: 94 (0.1 %)
Looking at that, I mean really looking at that, are we even capable of breaking these kinds of criminals down to get to the truth? Is our system even educated enough, or even have the right resources to do this right? Are we skilled and trained at prosecuting and convicting homicidal, suicidal, religious fanatics? Can our criminal justice system handle this degree of violence? No, it cant and that is how terrorism wins.
We give in. We give them the rights that they deeply hate us so much for that they would rather kill us because we treasure them– and we negotiate. They wield guns, bombs- but when we defend ourselves of that, we are war mongers. We have given Nobel Peace prizes. Dinners at the white house. Of the detainee’s that have been released from Guantanamo Bay since September 11th , 61 went on to reunite with Al-Queda. I see that as a symbol of loyalty, secrecy and enduring dedication that they hold to their cause and their people.
Ok, so every now and then we actually prosecute murderers here in America. We even give survivors of rape, child molestation, torture- some slight taste of justice here and there. We can prosecute DWI offenders hardcore. We really don’t care about victims who are robbed so unless you’re somebody really important otherwise forget it. Every now and then, we’ll hold a domestic violence offender accountable, give them chance after chance before we get harsh.
However, the majority of crimes that we experience day to day our ever so prized criminal justice system just has a way of letting victims down. We still fall short- we fail to prevent abuse, harassment and stalking. We often fail missing child cases until it’s too late. If it hadn’t been for an average couple in Florida, to have lost their child in tragic way, and a strong passionate man and father to crusade for help- I doubt we’d have any better protocol then we did in 1981. Our system didn’t work for advanced laws and procedures, victims did. It’s true that statistics vary, but the majority average to report that only 30% of criminal offenses ever result in a charge,
We have a criminal justice system that sees the same offenders on a repeated basis, which speaks for itself. Thus far, we have exonerated I believe, 200 people for crimes that they never committed but were convicted of based on DNA. Appreciate what we can do forensically- it is a gift- and the only barriers to what it can accomplish is the money- staff, equipment and of course the ACLU, if they have their way, they will ban banking DNA despite it’s use in solving crimes.
The interior of life within prison walls is ever darkening and criminals only becoming smarter, quicker, wiser, clever and more well thought out offenders. They become more aggressive. After serving a term of 4 years or longer, that prisoner has evolved into an inmate- it’s who they become, and the majority will carry that mentality with them for the rest of their lives. We have nothing to be proud of in terms of rehabilitation. That is simply a pretty word used cosmetically much like “Child Protective Services” to make everything look and feel good.
Once President Obama signed the hold barring any further proceedings, investigations and interviews for 120 days, 2 cases against suspected terrorists were put on hold. But, in a daring move made by a Military Judge, Coronel James Pohl, on January 29th has the Pentagon shaking it’s critical finger. Judge Pohl refused to suspend the arraignment hearing regarding Ghaleb Al-Bihani, a Yemeni who has been detained for approximately 7 years. Al-Bihani has been identified as the being responsible for planning the attack on the USS Cole in 2000. There is evidence to the effect; he fought in the Arab Brigade, supported Al-Queda and the Taliban. His links to Al-Queda have been firmly established. If we value our Constitution at all I ask what are we doing? This tribunal needs to proceed and it needs to be done at the hands of professionals. The Guantanamo detainee’s need to be tried for crimes against America, not tried in America. This is how Terrorists win.
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