November 21, 2003

FREE THE CAPERING SPORT MUPPETS

London’s anti-Bush demonstrators have revived happy memories of Gitmo human rights hysteria. But is anyone doing anything to help these tragic and forgotten victims?

Posted by Tim Blair at November 21, 2003 12:00 PM
Comments

You know, I really think that look works for him.

Posted by: Ken Summers at November 21, 2003 at 01:06 PM

I see you're sunk to cutting and pasting your own claptrap for us now.

Hysteria? The point is not whether Gitmo inmates are model citizens or not, the point is that they have been denied their right to legal counsel, to know what the fucking charges are and to have them heard in a fair trial. And don't gimme that crap abt being outside the US, they're being held by US citizens, on de-facto US territory, land the US "leases" from Castro. Then there's Jose Padilla, a US citizen who has been held without charge since May 2002 in a naval brig in South Carolina.

How many US citizens are being held incommunicado right now? All you stand for is cheap laughs. You don't deserve human rights but you got 'em anyway, whether you give a shit or not.

Posted by: Miranda Divide at November 21, 2003 at 01:12 PM

I wuv you Miranda

Posted by: tim at November 21, 2003 at 01:26 PM

You'd look good in an orange jumpsuit, Miranda.

Posted by: Jon at November 21, 2003 at 01:27 PM

On another topic, here's an excerpt from George Dubya's recent speech at Whitehall:

"Israel should free settlement construction, dismantle unauthorized outposts, end the daily humiliation of the Palestinian people and not prejudice final negotiations with the placements of walls and fences."

Funny, whenever I say that the people here call me an anti-semite terrorist sympathiser. Maybe conservative pin up boy Bushy is beginning to think the JOOOOOOS are taking over the world!!!!

Posted by: thepusher at November 21, 2003 at 01:30 PM

Miranda, I don't know how many US citizens are being held "incommunocado". But you're next.

Posted by: Packman at November 21, 2003 at 01:33 PM

Put her in the same cell with thepusher. They can give each other comforting backrubs as they inveigle against the Man.

Posted by: Andrea Harris at November 21, 2003 at 01:37 PM

Here are are a few easy steps to stay out of US Military Custody.

1. Dont go overseas and join, then train with and fight for, a terrorist organisation that wants to destroy the US.

2. Dont go overseas and join, then train with and fight for, a terrorist organisation that wants to destroy the US.

3. Dont go overseas and join, then train with and fight for, a terrorist organisation that wants to destroy the US.

Posted by: Gilly at November 21, 2003 at 01:47 PM

Packman and Andrea also seem to advocate locking up people who disagree with them.

Posted by: thepusher at November 21, 2003 at 02:01 PM

Dear Ms Miranda Troll,

People captured in battle have no right to legal process - it is perfectly reasonable to just shoot them. The people at Gitmo are still alive, lucky them.

While feeding trolls is fun I have never understood why people consider being a troll fun. Do you really have such a sad, sick and lonely life that this limited bit of attention makes you feel better in some way. How very unfortunate.

Try to think some happy thoughts.

Posted by: Russell at November 21, 2003 at 02:10 PM
And don't gimme that crap abt being outside the US, they're being held by US citizens, on de-facto US territory, land the US "leases" from Castro.

And that makes them entitled to the same rights American citizens enjoy...how?

Sorry, my "sympathy for terrorists" tank is dry.

Posted by: Big Dog at November 21, 2003 at 02:12 PM

This reminds me of when the Government "dissappeared" my Uncle Louis. We were at the Boomtown Casino just West of Reno Nev. He was only gone 60 minutes as a captive [but it]seemed to drag on for ever. When he gained his freedom Uncle Louis shocked us with the tale of his captivity. Government Gin was forced down his throat, and they glued him to the dreaded Wheel of Death. The Torturous inhuman bastards.
Luckily Uncle got out alive but there were bribes involved. He had to pay some shadowy figure named Coupier.

psst. Keep this on the QT >I think Coupier was French American.

Posted by: papertiger at November 21, 2003 at 02:25 PM

Happy thoughts! Yes, I should be kinder to the poor, sad trolls. Henceforth I shall try to do my part. Miranda, pusher, et al: just lie back, close your eyes, and think of Clinton. [***censored for the sensitive***] There. All nice and better now, right?

Posted by: Andrea Harris at November 21, 2003 at 02:35 PM

Troll bait, troll bait, lovely lovely troll bait
Troll bait, troll bait, eat it up. Yumm!!!!!!!

Posted by: Russell at November 21, 2003 at 02:53 PM

The thing about the Right-Wing cheerleader squad is that they really hate DETAILS.

Proof, who needs it! We KNOW they're guilty cos we WOULD know seeing as we're so close to the action here in Australia.

Hicks previously fought with the Kosovo Liberation Army against the brutal repression of ethnic Albanian Kosovars. You know, the "good guys" that were helped by US and NATO forces. The photo of him holding a grenade launcher was taken then.

So Hicks fought with the Taliban? Does this mean he's a soldier or a terrorist?

"He was fighting with the Taliban, which was the legal government of Afghanistan" - Alexander Downer.

To be considered a terrorist he would had to have deliberately targeted non-combatants. Seeing as the US were invading Afghanistan when he was captured, they were engaged in warfare. Therefore Hicks is a POW, and is not a terrorist unless it can be proven otherwise.

But you guys don't care about facts. Facts are just annoying little details, aren't they.

Posted by: thepusher at November 21, 2003 at 02:55 PM

Dear Mr thepusher Troll

I am deeply saddened that your life is so empty that you have to resort to these sad little pleas for attention. Have you tried going down to your local pub - after a few drinks it is relatively easy to start up a pleasant conversation. You might even make some friends. Wouldn't that be wonderful.

Be of good cheer - you could even try smiling once in a while.

Posted by: Russell at November 21, 2003 at 03:01 PM

Well Russel, you've made some telling counter-arguments there...

Your incisive wit makes me chortle till I wet my Che Guevara underpants.

Posted by: thepusher at November 21, 2003 at 03:07 PM

Dear Mr thepusher Troll,

On the question of the legality of the Taliban government. The UN seat for Afghanistan was held by the Northern Alliance. The only countries that recognised the Taliban as the lawful government were Saudi Arabia and Pakistan. Australia did not have a settled answer to the question of legitimacy (no-one presented credentials that our government would accept). If young Alex misspoke it does not change the issue of recognition of sovereignty.

Your argument might hold if Hicks was Saudi or Pakistani - otherwise it remains simply empty words signifying nothing.

Posted by: Russell at November 21, 2003 at 03:09 PM

Dear Mr thepusher Troll,

There's the spirit!!! I am glad I was able to bring the light of laughter into your otherwise sad and unpleasant little word. Laugh and the world laughs with you - whine and moan and your just another lefty in the crowd.

Posted by: Russell at November 21, 2003 at 03:12 PM

Well our Government seem to say something different every day depending on convenience. Like in the lead up to invasion:Iraq when the UN and issues of sovereignty were no longer "relevant" . The only conclusion I can draw is that our Government now claims the right to arbitrarily remote-administer the world, and a "terrorist" is anyone who disagrees with you.

Posted by: thepusher at November 21, 2003 at 03:15 PM

In addition, the Taliban, Al-queda and associated fighters were not only not signatories to the Geneva Convention, they were in gross violation of several Articles even had they been. They have, in actuality, been given rather more rights than promised by either international law (what a laff) in general or the Geneva Convention. Funny how concern about the law only runs in one direction, isn't it?

I am unhappy about Jose Padilla, but I am awaiting further developments. The name escapes me, but a justice of the Supreme Court of the US once said, "the Constitution is not a suicide pact." You might think about that, but I figure you probably won't, because thinking makes your head hurt.

Posted by: JorgXMcKie at November 21, 2003 at 03:17 PM

Dear Mr thepusher Troll,

It saddens me to see that the laughter did so little to improve your mood! Try thinking happy thoughts. Trying to make others sad is not really going to make you happy. If it is raining where you are try going out in the rain and let the lovely little drops wash away your sadness.

Being a troll does not really seem to be a viable road to happiness (lurking under bridges never seemed like much fun to me in any event). Have you ever TRIED(!!) not being a troll?

Posted by: Russell at November 21, 2003 at 03:19 PM

OUCH! Next you'll be call me an "idiotarian"...

Have mercy!

Posted by: thepusher at November 21, 2003 at 03:22 PM

"the Constitution is not a suicide pact"

Let me guess, you've got that one made up into a bumper sticker.

Posted by: thepusher at November 21, 2003 at 03:25 PM

G'Day Mr thepusher Troll

I am merciful - I am also indulgent, flatulent, prone to sweating at inappropriate moments and to bouts of off-key singing that annoy all but my youngest son.

Why would I call you an idiotarian when Troll remains a perfectly servicable description of your roll here?

Posted by: Russell at November 21, 2003 at 03:25 PM

Pusher... think of Clinton. Clinnntoooonnn... the lights are low.... there are candles lit on the table. It's set for a meal for two. Just you and Bill! Fleetwood Mac's Tusk album plays softly in the background. Clinton (he tells you "Call me Bill. All my friends call me Bill.") smiles and reaches for his humidor...

Continue the dream, people! Make the trolls happy!

Posted by: Andrea Harris at November 21, 2003 at 03:28 PM

the pusher and miranda--such top little aussies are'nt you? i'll gladly pay for a one way plane fare for both of you to either *(1) the workers paradise of new zealand or (2)some third world middle eastern shithole. *cannot be used in conjunction with any other offers.

Posted by: roscoe at November 21, 2003 at 03:33 PM

thepusher:

This little gem of yours can't go unchecked:

"To be considered a terrorist he would had to have deliberately targeted non-combatants"

So for you, membership in Al-Qaeda is not sufficient to label someone a terrorist ?

So according to you, the 19 Saudis who carried out 9-11 were not terrorists until the moment they hijacked the planes, right ?

Got it.

Posted by: Jono at November 21, 2003 at 03:55 PM

Small technical difference:
The US was at WAR with Afghanistan...

Get it?

Posted by: thepusher at November 21, 2003 at 04:54 PM

G'Day Mr thepusher Troll,

Actually the US, UK and Australia were at war with the Taliban and AlQaeda - the US (and UN) recognised the Northern Alliance as the lawful government of Afghanistan. The war was IN Afghanistan not WITH Afghanistan. Since you are trollishly playing with legalities you should pay attention to such niceties.

You're not very bright are you?

Posted by: Russell at November 21, 2003 at 05:00 PM

Taking soldiers prisoner during a war and holding them without trial is customary international law. We wouldn't want to violate international law :)

Posted by: Fascist at November 21, 2003 at 05:02 PM

I'm with Miranda and thepusher on this one. Holding these prisoners incommunicado for an indefinite period is inappropriate. They should be stripped naked, have their heads shaved, be mounted on donkeys backwards, crowned with dunce caps and whipped through the streets of New York then shot and buried in the hole where the twin towers were.

Posted by: Theodopoulos Pherecydes at November 21, 2003 at 09:23 PM

For JorgXMcKie and thepusher: The quote about the suicide pact is from US Supreme Court Justice Robert Jackson. I believe it is from the decision (I forget the name) authorizing military tribunals for illegal combatants.

A couple other things:

War prisoners don't get lawyers. Never have, never will (and I'm NOT talking about Padilla).

I'm too lazy to scroll up to see who posted it, but one poster noted that only those who follow the requirements of the Geneva Convention are entitled to its protections. All others may be executed out of hand.

A member of a terrorist organization is a terrorist. That should be obvious.

Posted by: Ken Summers at November 22, 2003 at 12:16 AM

You've got your facts wrong again... it was Judge Rosemary Pooler, of the 2nd US District Court of Appeals, which is hearing Padilla's appeal.

She said: "As terrible as 9/11 was, it didn't repeal the Constitution."

Posted by: Miranda Divide at November 23, 2003 at 08:33 AM