This Presidential Campaign Brought to You by a Massive Capitulation on Civilian Law

[kpete]

This Presidential Campaign Brought to You by a Massive Capitulation on Civilian Law
By: emptywheel Monday April 4, 2011 8:55 am

Reports are trickling out that Eric Holder will announce an epic cave this afternoon on his earlier decision to try the 9/11 defendants in civilian courts

Attorney General Eric Holder today will announce that self-proclaimed Sept. 11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammad will be tried in a military commission, CBS News has learned. A source says the commission will be held at the Guantanamo Bay prison.
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-20050405-503544.html

...................


................how pathetic that this announcement comes on the same day that Obama launches his reelection campaign

So even though I’m focused on the job you elected me to do, and the race may not reach full speed for a year or more, the work of laying the foundation for our campaign must start today.

We’ve always known that lasting change wouldn’t come quickly or easily. It never does. But as my administration and folks across the country fight to protect the progress we’ve made — and make more — we also need to begin mobilizing for 2012, long before the time comes for me to begin campaigning in earnest.

...........................

We’ll start by doing something unprecedented: coordinating millions of one-on-one conversations between supporters across every single state, reconnecting old friends, inspiring new ones to join the cause, and readying ourselves for next year’s fight.

Because nothing says “laying the foundation” of a Presidential campaign and “inspiring new” supporters like caving to fearmongering.
http://emptywheel.firedoglake.com/2011/04/04/this-presidential-campaign-brought-to-you-by-caving-on-civilian-law/

[G_j]

1. "pathetic"

is putting it nicely

[truebrit71]

3. Ah yes, more of that lovely 'change' we've all been 'hoping' for..

:sarcasm:

[Pirate Smile]

2. Blame Congress. This ones on them. A Democratic Congress couldn't deal with having trials in the US.

NYC freaked.

People need to get a grip and deal with reality. The Obama Administration wanted to have civilian trials in the US and close Gitmo but Congress, including some people who had said they wanted to close GITMO, went all NIMBY.

[truebrit71]

5. Yup, because they make the DOJ's decisions for them..??

...huh???

[Pirate Smile]

7. Congress can sure as hell limit what the DOJ can do.

[pscot]

9. Except they haven't

[jaxx]

10. Oh yes they have.

House Blocks U.S. Trial Of Guantanamo Detainees

ANDREW TAYLOR 12/ 8/10 09:52 PM

WASHINGTON — In a setback for President Barack Obama, Democrats still controlling the House have approved legislation to prevent Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and other detainees at the military prison at Guantanamo Bay from being transferred to the U.S. for trials in criminal courts.

The Guantanamo ban was included in a huge catchall spending bill that passed the House Wednesday by a 212-206 vote. The Senate has yet to act on the legislation, which would further imperil Obama's effort to close the detention center for terrorist suspects.

<..> Wednesday's vote would block alleged Sept. 11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed from a trial in civilian court.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/12/08/house-blocks-us-trial-guantanamo-detainees_n_794185.html

[pscot]

16. Ah, the Cantor theory of government

You do know it takes both houses and a Presidential signature for a bill to become law? This is a pre=emptive cave on the part of DOJ. Holder gets his marching orders from the Whitehouse.

[jaxx]

17. Ignore the facts. It happened.

[truebrit71]

14. Um, no. That's for the AG to determine..

..and in this case he folded, just like his boss..

[fascisthunter]

4. another shill.... pretending

the bullshit never ends does it?

[jaxx]

12. FDL is certainly shills.....they ignored the congress.

[truebrit71]

15. Yet another apologist...

:eyes:

We have nuke apologsits, health care apologists, environmental apologists, DLC-aplogists...

Ya know, just once in a while a shovel is just a shovel, and in thise case, it's just another cave in a far-too-long line of historical caves by President Hope and Change...

[jaxx]

18. Are you calling me an apologist?

I would think the facts would matter. FDL gave you part of the story. The part they knew would make people mad. Never mind the House, they can wish it away.

[Rageneau]

6. I prefer Alberto Gonzalez to Eric Holder.

For that matter, I prefer Ed Meese, John Mitchell and Dick Thornburg to Eric Holder.

I always prefer an intractable enemy to a 'friend' who constantly betrays me.

[kpete]

11. it hurts

doesn't it?

peace, kpete

[HereSince1628]

8. But, just to remind everyone...

we cannot say we won't vote for the democratic candidate/sitting president.

As I Remember 2008, we COULD say we wouldn't vote for is a candidate who advocates extra constitutional remedies inacted without Congress through presidential findings and signing statements.

[ixion]

13. ah... watch for that recurring meme: "lasting change," with the subtext

"It's hard work changin' stuff."