Gitmo Panelist Slams Hearing Process

Lt. Col. Stephen Abraham Is First Member Of Military Panel To Challenge Guantanamo Bay Hearings

(AP)  An Army officer who played a key role in the “enemy combatant” hearings at Guantanamo Bay says tribunal members relied on vague and incomplete intelligence while being pressured to rule against detainees, often without any specific evidence.

His affidavit, submitted to the U.S. Supreme Court and released Friday, is the first criticism by a member of the military panels that determine whether detainees will continue to be held.

Lt. Col. Stephen Abraham, a 26-year veteran of military intelligence who is an Army reserve officer and a California lawyer, said military prosecutors were provided with only “generic” material that didn't hold up to the most basic legal challenges.

Despite repeated requests, intelligence agencies arbitrarily refused to provide specific information that could have helped either side in the tribunals, according to Abraham, who said he served as a main liaison between the Combat Status Review Tribunals and the intelligence agencies.

“What were purported to be specific statements of fact lacked even the most fundamental earmarks of objectively credible evidence,” Abraham said in the affidavit submitted on behalf of a Kuwaiti detainee, Fawzi al-Odah, who is challenging his classification as an “enemy combatant.”

Abraham's affidavit “proves what we all suspected, which is that the CSRTs were a complete sham,” said a lawyer for al-Odah, David Cynamon.

A Pentagon spokesman, Navy Lt. Cmdr. Chito Peppler, defended the process of determining which detainees should be held, saying the “procedures afford greater protection for wartime status determinations than any nation has ever before provided.”

“Lt. Col. Abraham provides his opinion and perspective on the CSRT process. We disagree with his characterizations,” Peppler said. “Lt. Col. Abraham was not in a position to have a complete view of the CSRT process.”

Abraham said he first raised his concerns when he was on active duty with the Defense Department agency in charge of the tribunal process from September 2004 to March 2005 and felt the issues were not adequately addressed. He said he decided his only recourse was to submit the affidavit.

“I pointed out nothing less than facts, facts that can and should be fixed,” he told The Associated Press in a telephone interview from his office in Newport Beach, Calif.

[hmmagain]

if the prisons are full of poor minorities and the wars full of middle easterns and the immigrants are frigtened into twenty to a closet arrangements and the kids into dare schools and the naked into clothes and the lazy ignorant and profane are spit on despite low numbers of employable folk, high costs and low qualities of education, and real crime and homosexuals and pedophiles and fat folk and blemished folk are treated with cruelty and bigotry economic, physical, and emotional and the kids age five and less are taking 99 plus % of all the nation's punishments, then whose gonna run guantanamo once guantanamo's soldiers become guantanamo's guests?

[brianbwb-2009]

%u201CLt. Col. Abraham was not in a position to have a complete view of the CSRT process.%u201D

So what, Peppler? if what parts he did see were improper, and or illegal, there is no additional context that would make them right, or legal.

As Abraham said, %u201CI pointed out nothing less than facts, facts that can and should be fixed,%u201D

So Mr. Peppler, apparently you don't want them fixed, your disclaimer suggests that you wish to continue violating human rights and committing crimes against humanity.

[hmmagain]

"OFF TO WAR, ANY ADVICE?

when good people spank evil people, women and children prosper

invest money in people who make everyone pay so no one starves

invest votes in people who tax everyone at gunpoint so no one is slaved

invest market share in all but the most vulnerable: infants and toddlers

don't pay minimum wage folk to canvas everything all the time by dancing get well soon you are here why why why feed the world first aid on the trail songs; instead, pay maximum wage folk to canvas nothing ever by dancing get sick soon tax the world first strike on the trail songs

more food is thrown out each day than is needed to feed the world, you needn't feed the few to feed the many: you should instead tax the many to feed the few and the proud"


=origin anonybus

[searingtruth]

"When everything is secret, everything is legal."
SearingTruth

"Innocence is muted by cruel withdrawal of voice."
SearingTruth

"We have failed in our duty to provide an example to the world of a just government."
SearingTruth

"Cruelty and brutality are evidence of evil, not strength."
SearingTruth

A Future of the Brave - www.searingtruth.com

Lt. Col. Stephen Abraham will be the White House's next target to silence him one way or another

[searingtruth]

Mirror

My friends, sometimes the most difficult thing about fighting evil is realizing that it actually exists, and then unambiguously and forcefully calling it what it is.

History shows time and time again that one of evils greatest strengths is its ability to disguise itself as good, or at least a temporary necessity, until that last fatal moment when its revelation becomes clear, indisputable, and inescapable.

So today let us take a clear and unadulterated look into the mirror at ourselves.

Just six years ago we were one of the most respected and admired defenders of democracy and human rights in history. Respected not only by our friends, but even begrudgingly by most of our enemies. In fact, even the fantastic power of our military paled in comparison to the overwhelming might of our moral authority.

Today we are a nation that operates secret prisons occupied by anonymous inmates, illegally abducted and held indefinitely without charge or representation. We are guilty of torture. We are guilty of murder. We are guilty of preemptive war of conquest. We are guilty of the wholesale surveillance of our population, suppressing all hope of privacy and free dissent. And we are guilty of disgracing our nation through the abandonment of even our most basic precepts of morality.

If this is not evil, then nothing we have ever fought against is evil, and nothing we have ever fought for is good.

Excerpt from A Future of the Brave

A Future of the Brave - www.searingtruth.com

[feelfree1]

Thank God! The wheels are starting to come off of the Bush regime terror trolley!!!

Don't be surprised if we see another staged 'terror' attack before too long!!!

[j_flood]

LTC Abraham sounds like the kind of person that should move from the Pentagon to the Justice Department - they still call it the 'Justice' Department don't they?

[searingtruth]

"My simple request was justice."
SearingTruth

A Future of the Brave - www.searingtruth.com

[smirk5]

"tribunal members relied on vague and incomplete intelligence"

This is what Bushies do.

[neoconrcrazy]

%u201CWhat were purported to be specific statements of fact lacked even the most fundamental earmarks of objectively credible evidence,%u201D Abraham


seems more than the majority of Americans are revolted by this administrations' ignorance of what makes us great - not smart bombs - but the US Constitution.

[mcvet]

There have been some dark days in our history, some times when this nation and its basis for greatness, the CONSTITUTION, have been shaken to the core. Never have we experienced a time like this, a time when someone has been "Elected" to the office of President and he, along with the real evil here, D-I-C-K Cheney, make themselves Dictators. This man, Mr. Cheney, is without a doubt the most Un American Leader to ever sit in Washington. Bush? He's just a poor simple minded Red Neck who is no different than all the rest. He's an enabler for Cheney. Sieg Heil Bush

[CBSTV]

How interesting to read this report. Earlier in the week, I received a chain e-mail from someone espousing that the Abu Ghraib incidents were little more than a "college hazing" and that the Guantanamo "detainees" ought to be grateful that they are being treated well. Why should we Americans care when "these people attacked us on 9/11?" the writer asked.

The United States has lost so much credibility under the Bush administration. What a terribly sad state of affairs.

[sharncedar]

Honestly, take a look in the mirror. What Americans do you know that have belief about things like evidence, fairness, and due process of law, other than as vague superstitions? Americans I know are nice people but they really don't know or care about the basic principles of freedom. The Gitmo process is pretty much the same process we use in credit card applications, patent law suits, business dealings, personal dealings, etc. Bush doesn't represent the ambition and cruelty of some radical right, he represents the laziness and lack of knowlege and empathy of the average American. He is precisely the average American. He is as stupid as you are, as hasty as you are, as ignorant and predujiced as you are, as irrational and unable to think logically as you are. He is you. You are him. Bush is the average American. Gitmo is the typical lazy and insubstantial approach of Americans to important decisions.

Wouldn't it be nice if it was as you people imagine, if Bush was some bad guy who was worse than yourselves, why, that's eaxactly the kind of thing Bush wishes for. He wishes there were some "bad guys" worse than him to justify his random and dull life.

Look around you, I live in Gitmo right now, and you are the jailers. Stop ragging on Bush.

[formrusmcsgt]

"tribunal members relied on vague and incomplete intelligence while being pressured to rule against detainees, often without any specific evidence."

Gee, makes you think the tribunals are patterned after the Gestapo, eh?

[panhandlpete]

Don't be surprised if we see another staged 'terror' attack before too long!!!
Posted by FeelFree1 at 04:08 AM : Jun 23, 2007

That should be everyone's greatest concern. As we move closer and closer to 08, and the REPUBS see their king dethroned, expect to hear more and more FEAR stories for that is their primary tactic to control the sheepies (the true cowards for they want someone else to protect them and sacrifice their lives).

Lt. Col. Abraham surely made a great sacrifice for his country. He has my admiration for his actions. Surely, there are MANY, MANY others out in the national employment who could tell the TRUTH. I lost my admiration for Colin Powell when I saw him recently on a talk show, and he was wading backwater to defend his speech to the UN which paved the way to invade Iraq.

Such an uproar over talk radio hosts recently with Trent Lott...."we have to address the problem". Surely, he is not advocating tampering with FREE SPEECH..... Where do they go from here? To Bloggers? And, I do so enjoy knowing what others think.....even those with whom I do not agree!!!

[drummer94]

"...vague and incomplete intelligence..." Now where have I heard THAT before. And SharnCedar, up yours ******.

[grumpas]

Why does this information not surprise me in the slightest??????? They honestly wonder why no one believes a word they have to say.

[omega39-2009]

A kangaroo court ran by a kangaroo administration, no surprises here.

[pwrslm]

Oh get real folks.

Its not the Executive office running these tribunals. Its the US Military, and they use rules and guidlines given to them by the US Congress.

If anyone is to blame, its them. The Uniform Code of Military Justice is 10 U.S.C., Chapter 47. The President can not make these laws, only Congress has that authority.

[pwrslm]

Speaking of Congress, this is the bright and shinning representation that Demoncrats elected;

Nancy Pelosi Supprts the (Canadian) Troops
By Mark Noonan at 01:42 AM
Michelle Malkin has the screen shot from Pelosi's website showing a Canadian sailor in a page dedicated to stating how much Pelosi will do for American military personnel. This is the second time this has happened - you might recall that back in 2006 the Democrats also ran a patriotic photo...of Canadian soldiers.

Now, nothing wrong with Canadian military personnel...I'm certain they are great and derserve the best of their country...but it just seems to me that the Speaker of the United States House of Representative should have staffers familiar enough with the US military to spot the difference between our military and others'. The fact the Speaker doesn't have such a person on staff demonstrates just how far removed from the day to day reality of America the Speaker is.

[ubrew12]

"Cynamon said he fears the officer's military future could be in jeopardy. %u201CFor him to do this was a courageous thing but it's probably an assurance of career suicide,%u201D he said.
Abraham said he had no intention of leaving the service. %u201CI have no reason to doubt that the actions I have taken or will take uphold the finest traditions of the military,%u201D he said. "

Brave words, but I'm afraid the first guy is right. The fear over speaking out is the real corruption an administration like Bush's develops, from the top down, only 'loyal Bushies' will be tolerated. It trickles down and infests the rest of us, until the whole society is infected. That sense, that none of us has the freedom to really say what we think (ie, that names are being taken), is what I hate the most about this administration.

[king77shaw]

sadly, we have become the United States of Israel. Instead of our historic role as world leader and beacon of hope, we, along with Israel, are now the most hated-nation worldwide. Look at who controls our foreign policy and media and it's not hard to see why.

[formrusmcsgt]

Its not the Executive office running these tribunals. Its the US Military, and they use rules and guidlines given to them by the US Congress.

If anyone is to blame, its them.
Posted by pwrslm at 09:22 AM : Jun 23, 2007

Only you would think that Congress is the entity to convict without any evidence. Been drinking already this morning, pwrslm?

[formrusmcsgt]

make that "the entity pushing to convict without evidence"......

[grazinggoat]

He is precisely the average American. He is as stupid as you are, as hasty as you are, as ignorant and predujiced as you are, as irrational and unable to think logically as you are. He is you. You are him. Bush is the average American. Gitmo is the typical lazy and insubstantial approach of Americans to important decisions.
Wouldn't it be nice if it was as you people imagine, if Bush was some bad guy who was worse than yourselves, why, that's eaxactly the kind of thing Bush wishes for. He wishes there were some "bad guys" worse than him to justify his random and dull life.
Look around you, I live in Gitmo right now, and you are the jailers. Stop ragging on Bush.
Posted by SharnCedar

-Great Post SharnCedar! Wish this dark episode in our collective life to be as educative as possible. Hopefully the average Lazy American will have woken up, and got educated in better consideration of Human Life and Human Sanctity.

-Those Average Americans in POWER now have tobe accountable, and hope from my heart that they will be brought to JUSTICE and tried. This critical laziness shall not go unpunished.

[bm6005]

And, who found this surprising??

[gpTom]

No one should be surprised that that the Gtmo prisoners are being held for years with no meaningful legal review of their cases -- that's what the process set out to do in the first place. It doesn't matter if the prisoners are "unlawful enemy combatants" or not; they are mere set-pieces in a drive by the ruling elites to establish quasi-legal mechanisms for disappearing citizens. Arguing whether it's the president or congress at fault here misses the point -- both are just water-boys for the real ruling elites. Read the fine print in the Military Commissions Act of 2006. Anyone, including US citizens on US soil, can now be arbitrarily labeled a "terrorist", no evidence or legal review necessary, and disappeared into a Gtmo-like Gulag, unless courageous men like Lt. Col. Stephen Abraham prevail. The United States has never faced greater peril than it does right now, only that peril is coming from inside the DC beltway

[hmmagain]

how is it that when immoral folk spank immoral folk, kids age five and less absorb 99 plus % of punishments; but, when moral folk spank moral folk, 99 plus % of kids age five and less are saved from their spankings?

[omega39-2009]

This is the second time this has happened - you might recall that back in 2006 the Democrats also ran a patriotic photo...of Canadian soldiers.

Perhaps Pelosi can't find any US soldiers since the few remaining, left here in the states, are being sucked up as "friendly" audiences for Bush's Iraq "stay the course" speeches.

[pwrslm]

Only you would think that Congress is the entity to convict without any evidence. Been drinking already this morning, pwrslm?

Posted by formrusmcsgt

Once again, you show the witless tack of a mental midget. If you have anything to add to the fact that "ONLY" congress can create US CODE, you should have said it before you proved how stupid you are.

[pwrslm]

Perhaps Pelosi can't find any US soldiers since the few remaining, left here in the states, are being sucked up as "friendly" audiences for Bush's Iraq "stay the course" speeches.
Posted by omega39

So you actually think she took the pictures her self?

Wanna buy 2005 collectible quarter? Only been in circulation for 24 months... I will let you have it for only $5.

Deal?






For the mental midget;

Index & Legislative History of the UCMJ (1950)

The Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) is a federal law enacted by the United States Congress and is the foundation for the United States military justice system. The UCMJ was first established in 1950, and underwent major revisions in 1968 and 1983. Several subsequent amendments to the UCMJ have been made by Congress. The UCMJ may be cited as United States Code, Title 10, Subtitle A, Part II, Chapter 47 .
(Library of Congress Call Number KF7604.553.A15 1950; OCLC Number 4559670)

[pwrslm]

In light of all the rhetoric and politicization of this issue, the fact is that the Military follows the UCMJ, the prisoners at Guantanamo, and other military prisons, whom are being held in conjunction with the wars we are involved in, are delivered there from ground units that have captured them.

These detainee's are held in accordance with the UCMJ, as directed by the US Congress.

You cant blame Bush for the Military doing what Congress told them to do.

[grazinggoat]

These detainee's are held in accordance with the UCMJ, as directed by the US Congress.

You cant blame Bush for the Military doing what Congress told them to do.
Posted by pwrslm

- I have some extra soap. Can I send it to Bush in order to wash his hands off this issue?

[formrusmcsgt]

Once again, you show the witless tack of a mental midget. If you have anything to add to the fact that "ONLY" congress can create US CODE, you should have said it before you proved how stupid you are.
Posted by pwrslm at 11:22 AM : Jun 23, 2007

Writing code and pressuring Generals to convict without evidence are two very different things, pwrslm.

So sad to see that you still can not express yourself without resorting to childish insults.

They really make you appear mature and profound....

[j-whitman]

pwrslm,, The prisoners are being held in acordence with the UCMJ which only governs the conduct of our military, yes & internatinoal conventions as well,,, FINALLY,,,

It's the legality trials, detention & justice that's in question. Many have been released after several years in captivity because there was never evidence against them... Others Bush will never place infront of a court.

Congress didn't tell Bush to create GITMO,, They have been persistantly trying him to shut it down, it's an embarrassment to our nation & hurts our National Security.

[formrusmcsgt]

These detainee's are held in accordance with the UCMJ, as directed by the US Congress.

You cant blame Bush for the Military doing what Congress told them to do.
Posted by pwrslm at 11:34 AM : Jun 23, 2007

ee, for a guy who likes to insult everyone as being stupid, you don't research very well, pwrslm.

The detaines at Gitmo are not being held under the UCMJ, but rather, under Army Regulation 190-8 which doesn't have squat to do with the UCMJ.

As you are obviously ignotant about that, let me fill you in.

Army Regulation 190-8 specifies policy, procedures, and responsibilities for the handling of prisoners of war.

As is always the case, you're caught again yelling about that which you know absolutely squat.

[mcvet]

Once again, you show the witless tack of a mental midget. If you have anything to add to the fact that "ONLY" congress can create US CODE, you should have said it before you proved how stupid you are.
Posted by pwrslm at 11:22 AM : Jun 23, 2007

Why do you Nazi's attack American's? My Neighbors and Fellow Citizens who KNOW as well as anyone that your Fuhrer, Cheney, is the guy behind the "Code". The Law that allows citizens of this nation to be labeled "Terrorist" was passed by the Fascist Congress. You and your Fuhrer have abandonded the Power of this nation, the REAL greatness, the Constitution. Why? Because you are now as always, sniveling cowards! Sieg Heil Bush!!

[tuckerndfw]

Lt. Col. Stephen Abraham is a credit to the nation, his uniform, and his profession.

Colonel Abraham, I salute you.

It is unfortunate that the Bush administration has chosen to alienate and persecute men of honor, such as you.

George Bush has no honor. He is a drunken, drug addicted, draft dodging coward, pathological liar and totally corrupt. He disgraces himself, his family, the nation and the military.

You cannot say that, but I can. And did.

Thank you for your honorable, valuable service.

(hand salute)

[roach9703]

This is the most devastating testimony I have seen concerning the detainee program. This information from Lt. Col Stephen Abraham should be a subject of immediate congressional hearings.
This idiocy is propaganda gift for the ghihadists.

[j-whitman]

roach9703,,, You don't think creating GITMO detention in the first place was a propaganda gift for them ????? ---- Every damm thing Bush has done has been a propaganda gift to the ememy.

[prinzowhales]

The guy has 26 year under his belt...he has nothing to loose by speaking out now. Expect these tribunals to be made up in the future of younger, career officers with nothing else going for them... who would sell their mother's virtue for a star.