Bush Signs Terror Detainee Bill

Bill Authorizes Tough Interrogations, Clears Way For Military Tribunals

(CBS/AP)  President Bush on Tuesday signed legislation authorizing tough interrogation of terror suspects and smoothing the way for trials before military commissions, calling it a "vital tool" in a time of war.

At a ceremony in the East Room of the White House, President Bush said the bill, above all else, "will save American lives" and help foil attacks on the U.S. by authorizing the CIA interrogation of suspected terrorists.

"Put simply, this program has been one of the most vital tools in the war against the terrorists. It's been invaluable to both America and our allies," Mr. Bush said.

The law allows aggressive interrogation techniques, but the president said the U.S. will abide by its international obligations and will not engage in torture, reports CBS News White House correspondent Mark Knoller.

Mr. Bush's plan for treatment of the terror suspects became law just six weeks after he acknowledged that the CIA had been secretly interrogating suspected terrorists overseas and pressed Congress to quickly give authority to try them in military commissions.

"With the bill I'm about to sign, the men our intelligence officials believe orchestrated the murder of nearly 3,000 innocent people will face justice," Mr. Bush said.

A coalition of religious groups staged a protest against the bill outside the White House, shouting "Bush is the terrorist" and "Torture is a crime." About 15 of the protesters, standing in a light rain, refused orders to move. Police arrested them one by one.

Among those the United States hopes to try are Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, the accused mastermind of the Sept. 11 attacks, as well as Ramzi Binalshibh, an alleged would-be 9/11 hijacker, and Abu Zubaydah, who was believed to be a link between Osama bin Laden and many al Qaeda cells.

"It is a rare occasion when a president can sign a bill that he knows will save American lives," Mr. Bush said. "I have that privilege this morning."

The president signed the bill in the White House East Room, at a table with a sign positioned on the front that said "Protecting America." He said he signed it in memory of the victims of the Sept. 11 attacks.

Among those in the audience were military officers, lawmakers who helped pass the bill and members of Mr. Bush's Cabinet.

He singled out for praise, among others, Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld, who has come under sharp criticism in recent months as violence has soared in Iraq.

The law protects detainees from blatant abuses during questioning – such as rape, torture and "cruel and inhuman" treatment – but does not require that any of them be granted legal counsel. Also, it specifically bars detainees from filing habeas corpus petitions challenging their detentions in federal courts. Mr. Bush said the process is "fair, lawful and necessary."

"The bill I sign today helps secure this country and it sends a clear message: This nation is patient and decent and fair and we will never back down from threats to our freedom," Mr. Bush said. "We are as determined today as we were on the morning of Sept. 12, 2001."

[creeper00]

"The swift implementation of the law is a rare bit of good news for Mr. Bush as casualties mount in Iraq in daily violence."

Good news? Hardly. Read the quote from ACLU Executive Director Anthony D. Romero once more. Any politician not of the right-wing persuasion could base an entire campaign on that quote.

Be careful what you wish for, Dubya.

[peterbaldwin-2009]

When Bush and Rumsfeld get dragged kicking and screaming to the Hague, it would be nice to see them get waterboarded and displayed on Youtube.

[grumpas]

It is truly a black day in our country! Bush has affectively thrown out the Constitution and the Bill of Rights! We are for all practical purposes are now a fascist state! I hope to see the day when the cell door slams shut on him forever and all of his constitutional protections go down the drain! It will be a fitting end for this creep! He is a disgrace to this once great nation!

[tejasdemo]

peterbaldwin...I agree 100%... excellent post

It is really pathetic that America has sunk to this level now.

[tejasdemo]

It is a completely sad day for our country. This is the end of our constitutional rights.

When is the next election. All Republicans need to be thrown out of office asap.

[bellal-2009]

US intelligence agents risk their lives daily why should their hands be tied when it comes to intelligence gathering. Do you think say China, NK, and Iran have nice little secret agents that play by the rules.

[diamtool]

Now! From the people who brought you Katrina, The Endless War, Abramoff, Ney, and Cunningham- comes Their Latest and Greatest Ever! The Death of Habeus Corpus! Witness the Geneva Conventions tortured and twisted on the rack of neo-con logic! All Men Created Equal, 'til we say otherwise!
heckuva job brownies!
If People in a Democracy get the Government they Deserve, then it appears that scared People deserve really bad Government.

[usawatchman]

Don't forget in

UNITED STATES SUPREME COURT
James B. Veasaw v. Cari M. Domingues,et al.
No: 05-1467

the U.S. COURT COVERED UP GOVERNMENT CRIME
even when the CRIMES showed up
on paper in the COURT RECORD..!

I guess we have a DOUBLE STANDARD JUSTICE SYSTEM
you know
ONE for the GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES
(Bureaucrats / Politicians)
and
ONE FOR THE PEASANTS
(The People)..!

[dunkenhms]

I will have such relief when Bush is finally out of office. The issues concerning treatment of detainees has just worstened. We are no longer a country that views people as innocent until proven guilty and no longer do citizens of this country have a right to fair trial or legal representation. All Bush wants anymore is to kill- as long as he gets his point across it doesn't matter who it is.

[ronniehm]

Well, this is obviously not popular with the terrorist rights bunch. We can kill them, but we have to be nice to them if we let them live. Oh. Ok. Whatever.

[tejasdemo]

The United States is now no better than any other government who tortures. No better. No different.

So, all you Republicans, what exactly are we fighting for ?

[diamtool]

ACHTUNG!
from now on;
All TERRORISTS will be tortured and killed without evidence or trial. If they confess under torture, death will be quick and painless. If TERRORISTS persist in proclaiming their "innocence" we will just continue the torture until they die horribly.
Chancellor Cheney und Field Marshall Rumsfield will make all determinations as to who is a terrorist.
Welcome to New Amerika!

[laurieleemoo]

okay liberals---you want to call President Bush a terrorist----and all the other names you do----then I call you a TRAITOR----how do you like that---does not feel to good DOES IT??!!! too bad!!! Hey if you can't take it----then don't dish it out! DON'T CROSS THE RIVER---IF YOU CAN'T SWIM THE TIDE. The ONLY thing the DEMOCRATS have been productive at----is spreading HATE for our President. You idiots are making America look weak with all your rhetoric. I hate to tell you---that is what it is. When all a person does is complain and THEY don't have any solutions-----well thats just plain RHETORIC (meaningless words thrown out by America haters.) I really don't know how you intended to come across----but you are coming across LOUD and clear that you hate America and that you want the world to join in on your little HATE PARTY you have going on.
My gawd---why don't you actually find out what is really going on out there in the world-----and find an issue OTHER THAN HATING OUR PRESIDENT to cry about------'cause the way I see it---there is a whole lot of *** going out in the world that you all CAN"T see because you are TOO *** BUSY HATING PRESIDENT BUSH.

[ronniehm]

You people have a strange view of what constitutes torture. There's nothing in that bill that authorizes torture, but hey, don't let the facts get in the way of a good Nazi comparison. Carry on.

[laurieleemoo]

hey idiots ---if you have a problem with the way the U.S. treats people----then you would have a field day with the rest of the world. Why don't you really do something productive in this world and start screaming about that. Or have you been to busy with your heads stuck up your ***** to see that. You are barking up the wrong tree---hound dogs!

[osidebear]

I am getting extremely tired of comments like that made by RonnieHM concerning how those of us who are opposed to torture want to "be nice" to terrorists, as if those are the only two choices. No one wants to "be nice" to terrorists. What we want is for everyone to remember that this is the United States of America - AND THAT SHOULD MEAN SOMETHING!

It's hard for some of us even to believe that a debate about torture - as an instrument of our national policy - is going on in this country. And without knowing it, the comment by bellaL demonstrates why this is a bad idea. bellaL points out that China, North Korea, and Iran have agents that don't adhere to rules like we used to do. Do we really want to put ourselves on a list that includes those reprehensible governments? What has happened to us?

[pdun1]

a

[pdun1]

9/11 Was An Inside Job!

infowars.com

[diamtool]

ACHTUNG!
from now on;
All TERRORISTS will be tortured and killed without evidence or trial. If they confess under torture, death will be quick and painless. If TERRORISTS persist in proclaiming their "innocence" we will just continue the torture until they die horribly.
Chancellor Cheney und Field Marshall Rumsfield will make all determinations as to who is a TERRORIST!
Welcome to New Amerika!
The comparison stands..
too close to home for ya???!!!

[lestb35]

"We can kill them, but we have to be nice to them if we let them live." RonnieHM

Great point, Ronnie

[laurieleemoo]

oh the poor little terrorists---we make them freeze, play the radio loud and keep them up all nite---we humiliate them---boo hoo hoo. Oh poor little terrorists.
And if you think OUR president is bad-----shoot you all would shot and killed if you had the Russian President as your president and you spoke the way you do about him. 14 Journalists in the past year have been murdered under President Putin's watch. I think we need to consider ourselves lucky we don't live in a country like that and have a president like that---don't you think. Don't you think we should be counting our blessings instead of crying about how bad American is. You ungrateful SOB's don't know how good you have it living here in America. If its as bad as you all make the world believe---well hell---i'd take the next jet out of town if i were you. Hey---why don't you do that??!!!!

[tejasdemo]

I agree with osidebear ! Ronnie, laurie and the rest of you escaped nazis. Are you so full of hate that you can not see what's right and wrong anymore ?

So much for that Bible you guys are always thumpin.

[laurieleemoo]

and why you all are out there crying about how bad the terrorists are treated---why don't you put in a good cry for the 7 iranian women who will be stoned to death and die a really slow death this week. Yes---that is what the iranian gov't is doing this week. Yes, 7 iranian women were made to be prostitutes by their husbands because of the husband's heroin addictions---the gov't said those women committed adultery and must be put to death by the good old 2000 year old uncivilized law they live by. WHY DON'T YOU ACTUALLY BECOME PRODUCTIVE AMERICAN CITIZENS IN THIS WORLD AND SCREAM ABOUT THAT------JERKS!

[gladetryst]

The American Civil Liberties Union said the new law is "one of the worst civil liberties measures ever enacted in American history."
I agree. There goes -our- freedom, if we are labeled as terrorists, for whatever reason, we have no rights now.
Thank You Bush, for making us your slaves.

[diamtool]

you can consider yourselves "lucky" that you don't live in russia. But i for one prefer to thank American troops and our strong Constitution for not letting Russia happen to America. They are the ones through the years that have stopped America from becoming russia or worse. LUCK HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH IT! Brave American troops and a strong Constitution have made us what we are. OOPS! there went the Constitution!
God Bless our Troops
God Forgive George Bush

[gladetryst]

And to refute the guy below me... It's because we have control over what we do in our country, not in theirs. And it is the same problem, those women were not prostitutes, they had no -real- trial, but because they are labeled, they have no rights. If they labeled them -terrorists- they would have no rights. Either way, they have a "military tribunal" sentence them to something they are innocent of.

[bfroggy-2009]

First of all, all commenters: READ THE BILL. If you havent read the entire bill then you arent qualified to comment.

After a thorough read I can say for sure that this is not the bill that will bring about detention of U.S. Citizens like some fear. However it IS a stepping stone toward a society dominated by thought police. Before 9/11 we would never have dreamed of suspending Haebeus Corpus - Article I of the constitution EXPLICITY forbids it. This will probbaly be overturned in the supreme court (Plaintiff: Your honor, my first argument is that this is unconstitutional because it is specifically forbidden in Article I. In fact, I rest my case!) However, until it is overturned, Foreign nationals living in america better be very careful what they say, and thats a sad thing.

I personally would die for our constitutional rights. To want protection at all costs, to sacrifice freedoms bought in blood for transient safety is cowardice. This bill is cowardly and subversive of the American spirit.

[laurieleemoo]

hey tejasdemo---DO YOU EVEN KNOW WHAT A NAZI IS?
IF SO---PLEASE EXPLAIN HOW IT APPLIES TO THE SENTENCE YOU USED. Do us all a favor---get yourself some education will you.

[laurieleemoo]

***, ***, moan, moan, complain, complain, complain----YOU ARE PATHETIC EXCUSES FOR AMERICANS.

[bfroggy-2009]

Interesting Laurie. While I agree that endless and pointless complaining about, say, a cold coffee makes for an annoying American and I know a few, I hardly think that questioning and engaging politics makes for a poor American.

Im pretty sure that James Madison, Ben Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, and their ilk were quite fond of political dissent. I would almost wager that political dissent was a founding principle of our democracy and the right and responsibility of conciencious citizens.

[annabanana-1]

The language in the bill is vague enough to allow GW Bush to declare ANYONE, citizen or not,to be an "enemy combatant". Once that is done, all the rights that we take for granted are suspended. If GWB had been paying attention while he was being sworn in, with his hand on the Bible, he would have noticed that he swore to "preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States"

He has not done that, but rather, in pursuit of the "unitary executive" has destroyed what makes America unique among Nations.

[osidebear]

When I read bfroggy's post recommending that people actually read the recently passed bill (certainly a reasonable suggestion), it brought to mind the fact that those who vote on these bills - our esteemed members of Congress - rarely read the measures they're voting on.

A good example is the Patriot Act. It was hundreds of pages, written and passed rather quickly. It's doubtful that even one Congressperson had read it. I'd wager it's true of this law as well.

[osidebear]

In laurieleemoo's world, it appears that anyone who takes a strong and consistent stand against the government. Is a "pathetic excuse for an American." I suppose if she'd been around during the American Revolution, she might be criticizing the Founding Fathers for going on endlessly about the abuses George III was committing.

It might be unpleasant to hear loud voices raised in protest against governmental abuses. It's downright dangerous and chilling when no voices are heard.

[laurieleemoo]

bfroggy---I was not speaking to the people who want to engage in discussion and politics----i was speaking to the idiots who try to spread hate for our president and call him names, including terrorist. I can deal with anyone who wants to debate the issues---but that is not the people we are dealing with here. We are dealing people who don't even know the issues--or keep up with current events. We are dealing with people who don't keep up---come in somewhere in the middle--get lost---and instead blast their hateful speech about our American President. And as i said----and i will say it again---if you can't take it liberals---don't dish it out!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[trueprogress]

Prior to the outbreak of WWII, our FBI knew what the pro Nazis American citizens were up do. After Dec 7, they were all arrested (6000 plus), and not one act of domestic sabatage took place. They did what it took to keep our freedom, and win the war. I fear that the University has brain washed so many graduates that they have lost all ability to reason.



That is just what the President is trying to do.

[bellal-2009]

Annabanana, a good reason to be more selective as to who we grant citizenship. Treason needs to be understood as a capitol offense punishable by death.

[laurieleemoo]

the problem with people like you is that i don't think you would be happy no matter who was president. They are some people in this world with nothing better to do than complain. If the democrats/liberals actually ever stated anything with substance--it might go over a little better---but they don't. You people ARE REALLY WORRIED ABOUT THESE TERRORISTS RIGHTS aren't you. Oh yes---is that not just like liberal americans---to be more concerned about suspects rights even more than you care about victim's rights. Maybe---just maybe---if you even knew anyone who had been killed in 9/11---i bet you would not be so gung ho then---now would you.

[one_american]

A quote from ACLU Executive Director Anthony D. Romero:

"Nothing could be further from the American values we all hold in our hearts than the Military Commissions Act."

It's time for Americans to take on the ACLU.

This organization is more anti-American than America can tolerate.

[laurieleemoo]

gladetryst--ha! you are quoting the ACLU????the same people that tried to take my child's freedom of saying the pledge in school because it has the word "GOD" in it? The same ACLU that is trying to take prayer away from our children. I don't know if you all have a problem with any of this---but frankly---if other people don't want to say the pledge because it has the word "GOD" in it---thats fine----BUT DON'T YOU TRY TO TAKE MY RIGHT TO DO SO AWAY. That is what has become of the ACLU---it started out as a civil liberties organization---now it is bent on taking people's rights away----you want to complain about our civil rights being taken away-----WELL, YOU HYPOCRITES---TAKE A GOOD LONG HARD LOOK AT YOUR ACLU"

[one_american]

* * * * * *%u2592%u2592%u2592%u2592%u2592%u2592%u2592%u2592%u2592%u2592%u2592%u2592%u2592%u2592%u2592%u2592%u2592%u2592%u2592%u2592%u2592
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* * * * * *%u2592%u2592%u2592%u2592%u2592%u2592%u2592%u2592%u2592%u2592%u2592%u2592%u2592%u2592%u2592%u2592%u2592%u2592%u2592%u2592%u2592
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%u2592%u2592%u2592%u2592%u2592%u2592%u2592%u2592%u2592%u2592%u2592%u2592%u2592%u2592%u2592%u2592%u2592%u2592%u2592%u2592%u2592%u2592%u2592%u2592%u2592%u2592%u2592%u2592%u2592%u2592%u2592%u2592

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[ronniehm]

"it appears that anyone who takes a strong and consistent stand against the government. Is a "pathetic excuse for an American.""

Actually, it's the other way around. If you take a good look at a crowd of protesters, it's obvious that every pathetic excuse for an American is taking a strong stand against the government.

"I suppose if she'd been around during the American Revolution, she might be criticizing the Founding Fathers for going on endlessly about the abuses George III was committing."

Some of them think they're like our founding fathers, but take a good look at the Declaration of Independence. Would the ACLU let that document get through without a fight?

[tejasdemo]

Lauriemoohoo..Sorry, I was working. To answer your question. Yes, I know what a Nazi is. It is someone like you. Intolerate, hate-filled, zero, who doesnt have the nads to do anything but scream at the rain all the time.

You're right. I hate Bush. I hate him fo allowing 14 people to fly airplanes into buildings killing 3000 innocent people. I hate Bush (and, by the way all the right wing,seriously disturbed, Republicans) for lying (literally) the country into a war that no one with even a hint of common sense can say has done any good and managed to get another 3000 young soldiers killed and who knows how many others' arms and legs blown off. I hate Bush for taking 200 years if laws that have withstood the test of WWII war crime trials( against the nazis) and throwing them out.

And, I am thoroughly disgusted when I listen to people, like yourself, who are so screwed up that you call me weak etc for not wanting to kill everything I see. It makes me sick. I hope, but I doubt, that there will be a change soon.

Does this answer all of your questions ?

[shingles1]

Winter just hasn't been the same ever since the evil secularhumanists took Christmas away.

[totallyfedup-2009]

I don't get it. Really. Are all these people supporting Bush no matter what he does... because they're embarassed that they voted for him? Is it a pride thing? I really don't get it.

[laurieleemoo]

TEJASDEMO--hey---i'm not the one who hates--you are----you just said you HATE President Bush---so by your definition i guess that makes you a NAZI!!!!!! i have said stuff about the liberals on here---but have not used the word HATE in referring to anyone of them. You used that word NOT ME!!!!!!! You liberals are pathetic and you make me sick to my stomach---but i do not HATE you. So stop blaming me or the president for YOUR hatred.!!!!!!!!

[laurieleemoo]

and you really have it wrong ---we don't want to see you kill everything---we want you to help us from getting killed----a little thing called National Security---ever heard of it.?????

[shingles1]

But on a serious note.

You seem to believe that only liberals oppose this "Terror Detainee" bill. That is not true. People from all across the political spectrum oppose this bill because it is a dangerous expansion of Presidential powers, IN GENERAL. Since Presidents change every once and a while, it would make sense to ask yourself if you want these same powers in the hands of your worst nightmare President. AKA, Hilary.

John Quiggin has a good take on this which I will post in a second.

[laurieleemoo]

of course i guess an american hater does not give a hoot about our national security---now do you????? You don't have to answer---I already read you LOUD AND CLEAR

[shingles1]

For concreteness, suppose Hillary Clinton is elected in 2008 with a Democratic majority in Congress, and appoints someone like Janet Reno as her Attorney-General, and that some rightwing extremist takes a potshot at her. Suppose that the unsuccessful terrorist turns out to have drifted widely through the organisations that Clinton famously called the Vast Right Wing Conspiracy, ranging from organisations with a track record of association with terrorism, like Operation Rescue and the militia movement, to those of the mainstream right, not engaged in violence, but prone to the violent rhetoric of people like Ann Coulter.

The bill, as it stands, would give the Clinton Administration essentially unlimited powers over non-citizens legally resident in the US (or anywhere else in the world) and over US citizens found, by the Clinton Administration, to have provided material support for those involved in the attack. Given unlimited powers of search and seizure, and unfettered use of %u201Caggressive interrogations%u201D, it would be easy to find evidence of some criminal offence even in cases of people who had no connection whatsoever with the original case.

[totallyfedup-2009]

.


I was just asking a question. Sheesh. I'm sure there will soon be a law against that too.



.