Democracy's chance: "what Bush has done:
He has created a parallel justice system in which suspects can be picked up in secret and interrogated without restraint. Their defence counsels are appointed by the Pentagon and can refuse to keep confidential instructions confidential. Their prosecutors, also appointed by the Pentagon, can keep evidence from them even if it proves their innocence. Their judges at the military tribunals, who once again are Pentagon appointees, can change the rules of the court at any time, order that their trials be held in secret and refuse to compel the attendance of witnesses who might clear their names. At the end of the hearing, they can be executed if found guilty.
An acquittal isn't unalloyed good news. The innocent can continue to be detained for as long as the war on terrorism continues, and there is nothing anyone can do about it. No check on the parallel justice system is allowed from the world outside Guantanamo. No appeal to the civilian courts is permitted. "
- posted by geoff @ #