Push on to clarify rights for detainees, Specter...hearing to establish ri

[Rose Siding]

Specter wants hearing to establish legal order

WASHINGTON -- A key Republican senator plans to push Congress to take on the issue of rights and treatment of enemy combatants captured and held indefinitely in the war on terrorism, a step that could bring greater legal order to scores of challenges and accusations surrounding the inmates at the Guantanamo Bay military prison and beyond.

In what would be the first major effort by a Republican to get the GOP-led Congress to establish US detention law, Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Arlen Specter, Republican of Pennsylvania, has scheduled a hearing in June to launch his effort to create clear due process rules for suspected terrorists who are being held without trial.

''The good news is that if anything were to happen, it would mean that Congress has come alive," said Eugene Fidell, president of the National Institute of Military Justice. ''Congress' failure to play a role in any of these issues has been extremely unfortunate and an erosion of their responsibilities. So any signs of life are to be welcomed."

After the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, the Bush administration established a sweeping policy that allows the government to hold terrorism suspects -- US citizens and foreigners alike -- without trial for the duration of the war on terror, potentially a lifetime.

http://www.boston.com/news/nation/washington/articles/2005/05/31/push_on_to_clarify_rights_for_detainees/

[UpInArms]

1. life from Congress would have to be in the form of a sweeping

denounciation of the un-Constitutional USA PATRIOT Act - and to begin impeachment proceedings for the criminal that squats at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue - throwing each and every one of those lying murderous bums into prison.

:argh:

[Supersedeas]

2. Specter is showing a HUGE amount of courage here !!!

[Toots]

3. Rights! What do Terrorists need Rights for

That Specter has gone all Liberal on us now actin' like we should be giving people Rights and stuff. How dare him........