Graham Falsely Claims All Gitmo Detainees Are ‘Enemy Combatants,’ Says They Can Be Held ‘Forever’
Graham Falsely Claims All Gitmo Detainees Are ‘Enemy Combatants,’ Says They Can Be Held ‘Forever’
Last night on Fox News, host Greta Van Susteren and Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) were discussing President Obama’s plan to close the Guantanamo Bay terror detainee prison. During the segment, Graham — who, with Sen. John McCain (R-AZ), had written a Wall Street Journal op-ed on the subject that day — argued that the military or the CIA, not the federal justice system, should determine which detainees represent a threat to the U.S.
Van Susteren noted that “we’re still holding people who haven’t done anything.” “No, that’s not true,” Graham said, adding that “every one of them” has “gone through a military board, and the military labeled them an enemy combatant.” According to Graham, “You can hold an enemy prisoner as long as the war is going on” or “forever,” as he later pointed out:
VAN SUSTEREN: Does anyone want them?
GRAHAM: Well, I don’t care. If we can’t give them to somebody else. My point is, Greta, if you’re a part of the enemy force, we can hold you forever.
Watch it:
Graham is simply wrong in claiming that all Gitmo detainees are “enemy combatants.” Last October, the Bush administration’s Justice Department declared that all 17 Chinese Muslim (Uighurs) prisoners at Guantanamo were no longer to be designated as such. One week later, a federal judge ordered that they be released “because the government provided no proof that they were enemy combatants or security risks.” Yet they still remain there today. In fact, as far back as 2003, the Pentagon concluded that they could be released.
Graham can justify his belief that terror detainees are outside the purview of civilian courts and thus can be held “forever” because he views combating terrorism as “a war,” one that can presumably carry on indefinitely because the concept of “terrorism” will never simply end. But the American criminal justice system is equipped to hold full legal trials while protecting classified evidence and state secrets. Indeed, as Attorney General Eric Holder noted, terror suspects deserve “due process rights that I think are consistent with who we are as Americans.”
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If they are enemy combatants, then the USA is seriously in violation of international law by denying the rights of enemy combatants.
Ya can’t have it both ways Repugnicans!
May 7th, 2009 at 3:35 pmLindsey, like all right wing pansies, thinks America is too weak to defend herself without giving up what she stands for.
May 7th, 2009 at 3:39 pmGraham may “not care,” but our forefathers sure did and American bloggers (also irrelevant to Graham) care.
He professes to carry the flag of Christianity in the face of great evil, yet would Jesus say, “don’t give a damn . . . no trial necessary . . . kill them?”
Seems to me that’s sort of what happened to Jesus, as the story goes.
May 7th, 2009 at 3:43 pmThe more I see the Republicans trample on everything that American supposedly stands for out of fear of terrorism, the more I realize that maybe… Bin Laden actually accomplished what he was after.
May 7th, 2009 at 3:44 pmWow, that was bad… I must have been worked up. It should say:
The more that I see the Republicans (out of a stated fear of terrorism) continute to trample on everything that American stands for, the more that I fear that maybe Bin Laden actually accomplished his goal.
There.
May 7th, 2009 at 3:45 pmdamnit
May 7th, 2009 at 3:46 pmRepublicans love dictation: where they are the dictators and anyone that opposes US imperial aggression and imperial occupation around the world is labeled as an “enemy combatant” and denied any human rights. Republicans are monarchists and Tories, they prefer Kings, Tyrants, and Absolute Rulers.
May 7th, 2009 at 3:46 pmNot saying all of these folks are saints, just that they are human and entitled to the inalienable rights that our Constitution promises. Heck one poor kid was rounded up at what, 13, 14-years old and is still being held, without trial . . . the policies Lindsey advocates do not America from terrorists, they foment hatred.
May 7th, 2009 at 3:46 pmThe Constitution does not say that “All Americans are created equal” it says “All humans were created equal.” Read it.
May 7th, 2009 at 3:49 pmGraham says they are all enemy combatants? Every single one? Wow — how does he know this? Have they all been tried, providing court transcripts Graham has read? Has Graham interviewed them all personally?
If Graham is using the “military board” argument that every one of them is a POW, then how does he rationalize holding POWs when we’re not at war?
Or does Graham believe we’re fighting a declared war somewhere?
May 7th, 2009 at 3:50 pmIt’s pretty clear by now that the majority of our Gitmo collars were false positives. By some estimates, perhaps ~80%. But Repu’ublicists still call them all “terrorists.”
BTW, Torture Boy Bybee is in my local news today. My reaction (in the paper and then via faxes to all my congresscritters):
May 7th, 2009 at 3:52 pm
Actually, SnoBird, you’re thinking of the Declaration of Independence, which in its preamble says “We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal;. . . .”
May 7th, 2009 at 3:52 pmCome on Lindseed…
get out the closet already…
you don’t have to pretend to be a “real man” any longer…
you can give up the fake ass macho shit…
and join the human race…
just sayin’…
May 7th, 2009 at 3:53 pmMs. Lindsey is an ass clown. Gitmo is a sore spot and if we have grounds to hold these people, whomever they are, there should be grounds to try them and put them away. If we do not have grounds to try them, we do not have proof that they are that damned dangerous. I am not a lawyer but I am not an idiot or a reichwingnut hatefilled coward, afraid of my shadow.
May 7th, 2009 at 3:54 pmexactly why hasn’t gitmo been closed? i want to know why. i’m enjoying free-market produced tacos in the meantime.
May 7th, 2009 at 3:58 pmo look at CFP, trying to spin this as something to dis Obama about
you are one seriously one-tracked little coward
May 7th, 2009 at 3:59 pmBesides being an idiot hate-monger, does anyone else think that if “Lindsey” came to terms with his sexuality he might start developing into a better person?
May 7th, 2009 at 4:00 pmGoogle it stupid.
May 7th, 2009 at 4:02 pmConservativeForProgress Says:
Obama has had 100 + days to close Gitmo. Why hasn’t Gitmo been closed? Same question 100 days from now. It will still be open.
May 7th, 2009 at 3:56 pm
____________
It’s not a light switch you can just shut off instantly. It is an extremely complicated legal and logistical nightmare with a lot of details to be ironed out. Obama gave his administration a year to complete the task. 100 days is less than 1/3 of that.
May 7th, 2009 at 4:03 pmThe truth can set him free…lies never will…
May 7th, 2009 at 4:04 pmLooks like Senator Graham’s baseless claim is part of the latest GOP push to scare everyone about closing down Guantanamo.
Rep. John Boehner:
May 7th, 2009 at 4:08 pm
Lyndsey, go do your job as a public servant, please.
May 7th, 2009 at 4:09 pmActually some 50-80 million has been removed, by the democrats, from the funding of the closing of Gitmo…
May 7th, 2009 at 4:11 pmDear Mr. Graham,
Does it bother you that Americans consider you one of the most repugnant members of Congress? When did you join Mossad?
A decent American.
May 7th, 2009 at 4:12 pmIf weren’t enemy combatants when they were sold out for ransom money from opposing warlords…
…they sure as hell are going to be.
How would you feel towards a country that jailed you for 6 or 7 years without charges if you were simply dragged in for doing nothing?
I would be sooooo pissed, and I would want revenge.
May 7th, 2009 at 4:12 pmRe:
LOL. You need only watch one or two episodes of MSNBC’s “Lockup” series to know that every day we successfully deal with a large number of some of the worst human monsters imaginable.
Rep “Boner,” STFU.
May 7th, 2009 at 4:15 pmTwisting the Constitution, Christianity, hiding in caves . . . South Carolina, boot this tool . . . and Dick Cheney . . . wtf? the more you spew, the more sunshine illuminates the fact that your are evil and Bush was your tool.
Also rising to clear view are terrible weaknesses in the judicial system, the electorate, the military, the SEC, Office of Homeland Security, every other governmental institution vested with power to protect and defend. For example, the press utterly failed. The press and religious institutions deserve particular recognition for greed, gluttony and utter irresponsibility, feeding at the trough and an abysmal disregard of ethical responsibility.
United Methodist Church . . . you essentially have embraced the worst human rights violations known to the Western World since the holocast. Nice. . . at least Lindsey Graham and Senator Sessions support you. . . me? Not so much. . . Dubya has a platform at SMU, but it’s a stain on the church and the institution that you’ve given it to him. As time goes on, this decision on your part will become increasingly cringe-worthy.
Much shame to go around.
May 7th, 2009 at 4:16 pmNot forever – that’s god’s domain, silly republican – you get to hold them just until they die. why? because that’s how america rolls – do as we say, not as we do. don’t know about y’all, but i’m damn tired of this.
May 7th, 2009 at 4:16 pmGRAHAM: Well, I don’t care.
That’s just a great attitude. And I believe him. He doesn’t care about anyone but his donors and reich wing constituents.
May 7th, 2009 at 4:17 pmGood ol’ Lindsey shows, once again, that the beliefs of the GOP are the opposite of American values.
Plus, Obama announced that Gitmo will close by the end of the year within the first few days he was in office. I can’t recall the details but, the information is out there (I’ll look it up when I have a minute). And? When one considers the complexity of the problem, I wouldn’t be surprised if it takes longer.
The worst thing about Lindsey’s statement is that it’s irresponsible and dangerous. Frankly, I’m no longer surprised when a GOoPer says something that will enrage the people they have made into our enemies. While the Reichwhiners shriek about the safety of our soldiers, morons like Lindsey tells the whole freakin’ World that he wants the U.S. to hold these prisoners forever.
Our enemies are the brothers, and fathers, and sons, and relations to the nth degree of those we are holding. They aren’t likely to stop fighting as long as their relations and countrymen are being held indefinitely. Ask the Irish or Israelis about how much goodwill they earn for holding what amount to political prisoners.
If Lindsey and the Reichwhiners get their way? Our future will be the same as the past of every nation who’s ever held political prisoners. We may be able to escape the worst of it here at home but? Americans will be free game around the World as long as we hold those prisoners and occupy foreign lands. Things are awful enough without idiots enraging the people we are fighting just for a soundbite.
May 7th, 2009 at 4:22 pmThe Ctenocephalides Dogfather’
Thanks for the correction. Oops.
May 7th, 2009 at 4:23 pmConservativeForProgress Says:
——————————————————————————–
Obama has had 100 + days to close Gitmo. Why hasn’t Gitmo been closed? Same question 100 days from now. It will still be open.
==============================================================
One of the first things the president did was order the closing within twelve months. That is in process. Nowhere has he ever said he would close it in 100 days. Answer me this: Why are the 21%ers typically morons?
May 7th, 2009 at 4:37 pmBobbyG Says:
LOL. You need only watch one or two episodes of MSNBC’s “Lockup” series to know that every day we successfully deal with a large number of some of the worst human monsters imaginable.
May 7th, 2009 at 4:15 pm
___________
Exactly. If we can keep 1 out of 100 Americans incarcerated, surely our prison system can handle two dozen Yemenis.
And if we really need room, there are plenty of non-violent drug offenders in the system who have no business being in prison in the first place.
Of course, this brings up the equally disturbing issue of the privatization of the U.S. prison system and some of the legal and juristic abuses that have resulted from it, such as judges receiving kickbacks to send juveniles and non-violent offenders to corporate-run prisons.
May 7th, 2009 at 4:52 pmMs. Lindsey is so butch.
You know, Miss Graham–if your nasty, if you recognize that we had crappy intel about Iraq, doesn’t it also follow that maybe we have crappy intel about this vague enemy force and alot of these poor souls are only guilty of being dark-skinned and Muslim and on the wrong side of vindictive war lords?
But, you don’t care, do you?
May 7th, 2009 at 5:10 pmGRAHAM: Well, I don’t care…about the law, the constitution blah blah blah…because most of the people don’t really know about it anyway…and it will make it easier to do it again, in the future…
May 7th, 2009 at 5:21 pmIn the “War on Terror” all people accused of being Terrorists can be incarcerated for life on the accusation.
Therefore, in the “War on Drugs” all people accused of using drugs can be incarcerated for life on the accusation.
And, in the “War on Poverty” all people who are poor can be incarcerated for life as well.
Thus is the extension to the logical extreme of the extreme “Right’s” logic.
May 7th, 2009 at 5:39 pmGraham and his ilk are the biggest pussies to ever sit in Congress. They’re so fearful of those brown terrorists that they’re willing to keep people locked up “forever” without trial.
Doesn’t Graham realize being imprisoned without due process of law, among other abuses by the monarchy, was one of the reasons for the formation of America?
May 7th, 2009 at 5:45 pmAnd Graham is a military lawyer.
Need more proof that he drunk the Kool Aid ?
May 7th, 2009 at 5:48 pmI can’t imagine an intelligent conversation with Lindsey Graham. The guy can’t even get his story line straight.
May 7th, 2009 at 6:04 pmThe guy is the best and brightest the Republicans can offer?
South Carolina must do some soul searching!
Will somebody please get this ‘declaring war’ crap straightened out? You can’t declare war on an idea. You can call it a war but the legalities do not apply. Neither the military nor the CIA has any authority to ‘declare’ someone an enemy combatant when Congress has not established a declared war.
May 7th, 2009 at 6:10 pmApparently Lindsey can’t keep his gosh darned foot out of his mouth. I remember after 911 how the administration used the color coded threat warnings, that was just a tool to keep people scared while they tried to shred the constitution and erode our rights. It worked back then, so they are playing that one trick pony again. They aren’t even orginal, with their fear mongering. Lindsey best get back under his bed and hide like the whiney little bi*ch he is.
May 7th, 2009 at 6:22 pmMiss Graham was to scared to serve in the US Military and would piss his pants if anyone said Boo!! Many of the detainees were captured with false information and aren’t involved in Al Qeada as was the woman/children the US kidnapped and tortured. Miss Graham would do well to stay safe in the US because if anyone got their hands on him they would find out he’s a wimp.
May 7th, 2009 at 6:48 pmThey’re hostages.
May 7th, 2009 at 7:07 pmEh, shaddup, Liberace, ya lying pantywaist.
May 7th, 2009 at 7:56 pmI hate to burst your bubble Senator Graham Cracker, well actually I do, but there is no such international prisoner designation as “Enemy Combatant”. That term was just pulled out of your president’s @ss so he could hold anybody handed to him as long as he feels like without any due process. This even violates the Magna Carta written in 1215. Well done GOPers.
May 7th, 2009 at 8:07 pmWell, Mr. Graham, since the Republican Party is showing itself on a daily basis as being an enemy of the Obama state by slamming every freakin’ thing he tries to do to improve America, let’s just throw you, as an enemy combatant, into a cell in Guantanamo and hold you there forever. Then we wouldn’t have to listen to your incessant braying about things you know nothing about. STFU.
May 7th, 2009 at 8:27 pmshut it down.
May 7th, 2009 at 8:42 pmThe morons at redstate are pimping this to no end:
http://blahgblog.wordpress.com/2009/05/07/teh-crazy-it-burns/
Will they ever realize how absurd they are being?
May 7th, 2009 at 8:55 pmLINDSEY: “Whatever you desire!” (fleur-de-lis)
May 7th, 2009 at 10:35 pmneoparasite find some self respect you moron. You come here day after day begging us to pity you but you are SOOO boring you will never get our pity. Give up, go on a QUEST for some self respect. You humiliate yourself day after day. Just how embarassing are you willing to be?
May 7th, 2009 at 10:41 pmLindsey still dreams of being king. Being in King McCain’s court did come through.
Lindsey is a sorry American.
May 8th, 2009 at 3:19 am.
Sissy Graham makes a convenient argument for al-CIA-duh…
… If it was al-CIA-duh holding U.S. service members in far off locations and subjecting them to torture.
.
May 8th, 2009 at 4:12 am.
Dear Senator Graham,
Please show us where Geneva Conventions says signatories of said agreement may violate that said signed agreement?
XXOO
America
.
May 8th, 2009 at 4:14 amConservativeMORON you worthless punkass troll go back to your bridge. What joy do you get out of being a troll. Just being a petulant little punk. Without a shred of decency KNOWING you are so pathetic that whining snivelling and being a jerk is the very best you have to offer? If I were half as stupid as you I would commit supuku immediatly as a service to all mankind. You disgusting pile of dogshite.
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