I heard from Boswell on the detainee bill.

[Skidmore]

He bought "the worst of the worst" BS put out by the Rs.




From: <[e-mail]>
Subject: A Message from Congressman Leonard Boswell
Date: Thu, 5 Oct 2006 17:31:08 -0400
To: <skidmore@xxxxxxx>




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October 5, 2006 Mrs. xxxxxxxxx Dear Mrs. xxxxxxx: I appreciate you taking the time to share with me your views regarding H.R. 6166, the Military Commissions Act of 2006. The views of my fellow Iowans are an essential component of my decision making process as a Member of Congress. As you know, after the terrorist attacks of September 11th the Bush Administration set up new guidelines for the treatment of detainees at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. In June of this year, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that President Bush had overstepped his authority in establishing these procedures without specific authority from Congress. Therefore, Congress introduced legislation to establish guidelines on the treatment of detainees. I realize that H.R. 6166 is a controversial bill. This bill, while not one I would have written, is tough on unlawful, foreign terrorists, yet still upholds our American standards of humane treatment and fair trials for every suspect. Through my work on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, I have learned how the nature of threats against our nation has changed. Because of this, we need different tools to keep us safe and prevent further acts of terrorism. Most of these detainees are the worst of the worst, like Khalid Sheik Mohammed - mastermind of the September 11th attacks. The new system is based on courts-martial procedures and the uniform code of military justice. Defendants have a right to counsel, a right to know charges against them, and an opportunity to obtain witnesses and other evidence, as well as the right to an open trial and an appeals process. The measure also prohibits degrading treatment of detainees and specifically lists the type of behaviors banned in accordance with the Geneva Conventions. I have long disagreed with this Administration's prior practice of keeping detainees at Guantanamo Bay languishing in prison indefinitely. They must, and should, be brought to justice through fair trials. Therefore, I support the establishment through this legislation of a new system of military commissions to ensure suspected terrorists can be convicted through fair and open trials. While you may disagree with me on this matter, I appreciate you contacting me. Please be assured I will keep your views in mind as the full House considers various issues in the upcoming weeks and months of the 109th Congress. Furthermore, I periodically provide electronic updates on issues I think my constituents might be interested in. If you would like to receive the E-newsletter, please sign up at my Web Site at http://boswell.house.gov. As always, my staff and I are here to serve you. Please feel free to contact us if we ever can be of assistance to you or to share your concerns. Sincerely, Leonard L. Boswell Member of Congress LLB:ks

[hvn_nbr_2]

1. You'd think a Congressman would know the concept of paragraph. nt

[Yogi]

2. Your right......

bullshit! :puke: