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Originally Posted by gerbilking
Looking at this from across the Pacific, I have to say that it is pretty damn suspicious looking that these contracts didn't even go out to tender, and as for those detained in Gitmo, they are being treated as 100% guilty until proven innocent. As onetime2 says, that's pretty unconstitutional.
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Contracts not going out to bid is not that uncommon, especially in war time. In many cases there just isn't time to go through a bidding process and there are times when there is absolutely no one else that can do the job. Not saying that these are the cases here but it's something to be aware of.
In terms of the detainees at Gitmo, it's an unfortunate legal chasm right now. I am sure there are some being held that are innocent and I'm sure there are some who are guilty as hell who will be released (as some who have been released have already gone back to leading terror cells). The simple fact is that there is no clear precedent for how enemy combatants without allegiance to a "state" should be treated. Do they fall under the Geneva Conventions? Do they have the same rights guaranteed to American citizens? Are they saboteurs? Are they spies? In some respects those being held could fall into any one or all of the above categories.
Through legal challenges and time the process will be defined. It's distressing that things can't move more quickly but the stakes are extremely high and we certainly can not take short cuts in releasing people who may turn out to be the next Bin Laden.