Virginia Virtucon reports on efforts in Stafford to oppose terrorists being transferred from Guantanamo Bay, Cuba to Quantico Marine Base. Apparently, the brig is technically located in Stafford; however since the base spans both counties, Prince William County residents and Supervisors should keep a close eye on developments.
Stafford Co. Supervisor Makes The Case Against Bringing Terrorists To Quanitco
Posted on May 7, 2009 by Riley
Stafford Co. Garrisonville Dist. Supervisor Mark Dudenhefer has a great op-ed in today’s Free Lance-Star laying out the various reasons why the terrorists being detained at Guantanamo Bay in Cuba should not be brought to the brig at Quantico. (For the record, the Quantico brig is located in Stafford Co., but the base itself spans both Stafford and Pr. William counties making it a concern for residents of both.)
I saw that article in Time but haven’t had time to read it yet.
GR, I think once they are on American soil they cannot just be held. If we keep them in Gitmo, there is a caveat that allows us just to hold them until the end of hostilities. Hell, I don’t know.
DB – thanks for the answer to my question about the Montana prison. Interesting story!
MH – think you are right – forgot that point but thought once on American soil they have to be charged or released. At Gitmo, can be held indefinitely obviously without being charged – don’t know part about “end of hostilities” but sounds like that makes sense to me. Part of “rules of war” or whatever, or Geneva Conventions, etc. Complicated stuff, those Geneva Conventions!!
I never sorted it all out in my head. I just recall bits and pieces. I also have no answers.
Terrorism is a lot more difficult to work with than wars that involve boundaries. It is almost as though we are at war with an abstraction that is a moving target.
It would probably be a good idea for the USA to look at some of the positives and negatives involved with Israel, the real experts on dealing with these types of terrorists or whatever they are called now. Detainees?
20th century wars, I think things were more clearly defined. These POWs who aren’t called POWs are there because of conviction rather than because they live within certain boundaries and are therefore obligated to fight regardless of personal conviction. Big, big difference.
Yes, Israel wrote the book in dealing with bad guys. The Mossad is a very highly respected organization – they know how to “get the job done” so to speak. Fascinating reading about them – read very interesting book on it about 10 years back – about Mossad and history of Israel. Will have to go hunt for book and get title of it – it escapes me. Anyone who wants to learn how Israel deals with terrorists should read that book.
The book I was referring to is “Gideon’s Spies: The Secret History of the Mossad” – an excellent read. Also good, but in my opinion not quite as good is “Israel’s Secret Wars: A History of Israel’s Intelligence Services”. Both published in early 90’s. Still probably can be found (perhaps now in paperback) at places like Amazon.com I bet.
No, I was not kidding and look at who else has adopted my position.
U.S. Rep. Jim Moran
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/05/08/AR2009050803168.html?hpid%3Dopinionsbox1&sub=AR
The News & Messenger newspaper.
http://www.insidenova.com/isn/news/opinion/article/editorial_why_not_our_backyard/35307/
Why NOT Quantico? We can be a beacon to the world and change people’s hearts and feelings about the U.S. This is how we can do our part.
[…] claiming that they are not as dangerous as domestic criminals. Witness what Turn PW Blue wrote on another blog: If we can handle the inmates we lock up for domestic crimes (many who put the […]
Yeah, but the News & Journal Messenger is hardly a shining beacon of journalism. And you neglected to mention (to be fair) that Moran was blasted by Congressman Wolf and one other congressman who’s name escapes me.
I don’t think trying the terrorists here on US soil is going to change anyone’s feelings about the USA. Those folks feelings aren’t going to be that easily changed.