Gitmo terror trials will allow hearsay evidence & coerced testimony

[spanone]

This is a headline on CNN's webpage.

I had to read it 2 or 3 times.

Is this still America, folks?

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Defense Secretary Robert Gates is submitting to Congress a manual for trials of detainees being held at Guantanamo Bay that would allow the admission of hearsay evidence and coerced testimony, a Pentagon official told reporters Thursday.

I hope Congress shoves it up his ass!

http://www.cnn.com/2007/LAW/01/18/detainee.trials/index.html

[babylonsister]

1. This is so screwed up. Lawyers are not okay, but hearsay and coercion is?

In one of the most severe blows the Bush administration has dealt to our constitutional democracy, the Pentagon attacked the lawyers who have volunteered to represent the Guantánamo detainees. Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense Charles Stimson threatened corporate lawyers who agree to defend the men and boys imprisoned there. Flashing a list of corporations that use law firms doing this pro bono work, Stimson declared, "Corporate C.E.O.'s seeing this should ask firms to choose between lucrative retainers and representing terrorists." Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense Charles Stimson threatened corporate lawyers who agree to defend the men and boys imprisoned there. Flashing a list of corporations that use law firms doing this pro bono work, Stimson declared, "Corporate C.E.O.'s seeing this should ask firms to choose between lucrative retainers and representing terrorists."

http://www.politicalcortex.com/story/2007/1/14/202053/926

[lvx35]

2. So lemme get this strait...

coerced testimony as in "say this at the stand regardles of whether or not you did it or I will shove this hot poker up your ass" and that's okay with these people?

[johnnypneumatic]

3. they should just simplify the process: tie em up and throw them in the pool

terrorists float! so if he drowns he was innocent, if he floats we know he is a terrorist

[Jeffersons Ghost]

4. K&R...