It's good to be a Detainee

[KillerYoda]

Here's the story, sorry, it's from the New York Times, so I'm sure it's plagarized.
Names of Detainees to remain secret
At least they're making it legal now...or something...

Edit: In an effort to make the world a better place, here's the same article on FOXNews.com:
Court: Feds Can Keep Terror Detainees' Names Secret

[Scipio]

I never found the argument that the constitution only limits government powers on US land very compelling.

<edit>

And another thing, how can they say that disclosing names will somehow "tip off" Al Qaeda? Surely the Al Qaeda leadership knows who has important information. Surely there's some degree of compartmentalization (which there is), and surely they at least know what important people we got. It's not like releasing their names will decrease our security. What, are they going to find out we have knowledge of some impending attack, and then decide not to do it? Surely that's not what we're trying to prevent.

Their logic doesn't seem to hold much water to me.

[The_Dude]

dont you think that it's ironic that they are using the "Freedom of Information Act" to withhold information?

[Phaenx]

Originally posted by Scipio
And another thing, how can they say that disclosing names will somehow "tip off" Al Qaeda? Surely the Al Qaeda leadership knows who has important information. Surely there's some degree of compartmentalization (which there is), and surely they at least know what important people we got. It's not like releasing their names will decrease our security. What, are they going to find out we have knowledge of some impending attack, and then decide not to do it? Surely that's not what we're trying to prevent.

Their logic doesn't seem to hold much water to me.

Likely, they're investigating all said persons contact with the outside world through regular mail, e-mail, phonecalls, etc. to see what people are sending them. If they find a Al-Qaeda contact or something, they can for one confirm the detainees guilt, and two, they can squeeze some information out of said contact which could be gold.

[Daval]

The US never ceases to amaze me. It's like watching a car crash in slow motion. Fascinating, yet scary as hell.

[geep]

Originally posted by Scipio
I never found the argument that the constitution only limits government powers on US land very compelling.

Where in the Constitution does it say that foreign nationals subverting the will and well being of the people of the United States are guaranteed protection?

[splck]

Originally posted by Phaenx
Likely, they're investigating all said persons contact with the outside world through regular mail, e-mail, phonecalls, etc. to see what people are sending them. If they find a Al-Qaeda contact or something, they can for one confirm the detainees guilt, and two, they can squeeze some information out of said contact which could be gold.

Are you saying the detainees are alowed to call or e-mail home?
You'd think that someone sending an e-mail or trying to phone a detainee and not getting a response in nearly two years would figure out that the guy is probably not there.

[Scipio]

Where in the Constitution does it say that foreign nationals subverting the will and well being of the people of the United States are guaranteed protection?

That's just the thing. We haven't charged them with anything. If they're doing something illegal, by God let's put them in front of a judge (or tribunal or whatever), and get it over with. Just because we don't like them, or because they aren't very nice people doesn't mean we get to hold them indefinitely.

It's a constitutional principle that we don't imprison people without charging them with a crime. Remember, we're a democracy, not a tyrannical dictatorship.

[geep]

Originally posted by Scipio
That's just the thing. We haven't charged them with anything. If they're doing something illegal, by God let's put them in front of a judge (or tribunal or whatever), and get it over with. Just because we don't like them, or because they aren't very nice people doesn't mean we get to hold them indefinitely.

It's a constitutional principle that we don't imprison people without charging them with a crime. Remember, we're a democracy, not a tyrannical dictatorship.

And charge them with what- hating the US? What domestic crime have they broken? Is it against The US criminal code for a foreign citizen to make war against The United States? What about the Geneva Convention? Have we signed a truce or any article ending hostilities with the Taliban or Al Qaeda? If we do then we can just give them back. Why doesn't anybody blame Taliban officials for their fate? Maybe if they did sign a truce ending hostilities then the situation would end. Until the answers unfold should we just let them go? "You all come back when we figure out what we're gonna do O.K.? Be good boys until then."
I hate to say this but there is no clear cut solution. But the Governments PRIMARY purpose under the Constitution is to protect America from foreign threats. If the Government believes these people still pose a threat, then they're just doing their job.