Combatants get lawyers after they talk, U.S. says

[greatauntoftriplets]

By Curt Anderson
Associated Press
Published December 17, 2003

WASHINGTON -- U.S. citizens classified as enemy combatants should gain access to attorneys only after they have disclosed everything they know about terrorist operations, federal law-enforcement officials said Tuesday.

Three senior Justice Department officials outlined the policy for the first time and said it is the proper way to balance national security and constitutional protections for people in government custody as part of the war on terror.

One of the officials said the goal has never been to deny counsel, only to delay it until interrogations are finished.

Two U.S. citizens are being held as enemy combatants, Yasser Hamdi and Jose Padilla.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-0312170209dec17,1,5923464.story?coll=chi-newsnationworld-hed

[unblock]

1. this would be funny if only it weren't so fascist

[Nihil]

2. Hmmm ... and if they know nothing?

It's the old "zero" question again:

If they know nothing and so say nothing, have they disclosed everything?

Alternatively, could they be said to have only "disclosed" everything
after they have said at least one item of knowledge (i.e., one more
than they actually know)?

> One of the officials said the goal has never been to deny counsel,
> only to delay it until interrogations are finished.

... which, like the "War on Terror", is only finished when "we" say it is ...

Nihil

[Maeve]

3. We worry about the First and 2nd Amendments, but what about the 5th-8th?

Not as eye-catching, I guess.

[Robb]

7. After the first two

I mean, who's paying attention? :eyes:

[BiggJawn]

4. "constitutional protections"?????

WHAT "constitutional protections"? Spill your guts, incrimminate yourself and everyone you've ever met, THEN we'll let you see a lawyer who will tell you "Man, you shouldn't have oughta done that..."

Tell me again why Bush is nothing like Hitler? Hitler did more than kill Jews, y'know.

[Bozola]

5. Hitler had a mustasche, and Dubya doesn't.

See, they're nothing like each other.

[Robb]

8. And Hitler couldn't speak spanish

So *'s got one on him there.

[Maeve]

9. Have you ever heard him? Bush can't speak it either!

Shoot, he only has a nodding acquaintance with English....

[0007]

10. Laura makes up for junior's lack of a mustasche -

I can't think of one thing that junior has that could be called good.

[DuctapeFatwa]

6. And if you think that is scary, look out your window

Notice the lack of people in the streets?

Now turn on the TV. Nope. no hordes swarming the White House.

When it is you or a family member who is seized, do you expect a louder outcry?

[The Stranger]

12. Best post I've seen on the DU.

Gathered and expressed my sentiments precisely.

Thank Go--, er, I mean thank everyone for this forum.

[NNN0LHI]

11. Kind of ruins the whole idea of having a lawyer. Doesn't it? n/t

[The Stranger]

13. The neofascists-theofascists currently in power in this country

call to mind the single-minded determination (and concomitant imbecility) that is parodied so well in the movie Dr. Strangelove.

And it is odd to me that this bizarre phenomenon of the conservative political movement seems to rear its ugly head every few decades or so.

Has everyone forgotten the social upheaval and reaction to this the last time around? Or have they become even more determined to now be able to squelch even that?

[coyote]

14. Hello?!?!? Fifth Amendment?!?!?! Anyone there?

N/T

[jmcgowanjm]

15. only to delay it until interrogations are finished.

SCOTUS is in a bind

The Bill of Rights is for everyone or
no one.

Just a matter of time before US tries someone
who is powerful/wealthy enough to tie up the
courts.

And don't you know Saddam has some
worldwide wealth.

I still think some folks in the WH wanted
Saddam dead.

[missile_bender]

16. Brilliant--Another red herring to legally delay their rights

to an attorney. Now if a court says they must have access, the whole thing can get bogged down on timing. "We agree, but the courts didn't say when they have to get counsel." It's the same strategy being used to destory Miranda.

http://www.unembedd.com

[Bandit]

18. Miranda says you have the right to have an attorney present during

questioning. The Right to have an attorney present during questioning. I believe Miranda was upheld by the USSC.

[librechik]

17. Stupid--the lawyers are there to tell you what you can say

during an interrogation. I knew these people misused the law, but I never believed they were utterly unaware or contemptuous of its spirit. This is shocking and sad.