Are we INSANE??
by Mike on Jun.13, 2009, under Political
In a piece in the Weekly Standard, Stephen Hays reports that the U.S. is now Mirandizing certain high-value detainees in Afghanistan. ARE WE INSANE? This is so wrong on so many levels.
First of all, Miranda rights are meant to protect U.S. citizens. A terrorist picked up on a battlefield is (usually) not a U.S. citizen.
Secondly, Miranda rights are provided so that potential defendants do not say things which may be used against them in a court of law. Enemy combatants should not be tried in a court of law.
Thirdly, the reason that detainees are interrogated is not to obtain information that can be used to prosecute them, it is to gain intelligence about the enemy and its tactics on the battlefield. If you tell the detainee they have the right to remain silent, why would they provide us with any information, which could save American lives?
This just demonstrates the Obama administrations’ belief that there is no war on terror, just a police action against some wacky jihadis. This reckless and irresponsible approach to a very real danger is exactly why Dick Cheney is correct when he stated the Obama administration has made us less safe.
Finally, please note the the Red Cross is encouraging detainees to exercise their Miranda rights and not provide information. You can be assured they will never see another dollar of contribution from me.
