Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Hot on Facebook
Uproar After NC State Agent 'Fixes' Girl's Lunch Preschooler has to eat chicken nuggets instead of mom's meal »

Bush Forced Ruling on Detainees

High court had to act after Bush flouted justice and liberty

By Wesley Oliver,  Newser Staff

Posted Jun 15, 2008 7:45 PM CDT

(Newser) – President Bush forced the Supreme Court’s hand by overplaying his own over Guantanamo detainees, Stuart Taylor, Jr. writes in Newsweek. Courts usually defer to Washington on national security, but Bush so flouted ordinary "ideas of justice and liberty" that he "put the Supreme Court in an impossible position." Stuck with detainees who say they are innocent, justices have granted them full access to federal courts.

Now the court has created "a new set of problems by making rules on a slow, messy, case-by-case basis. The only clear outcome is the certainty of enduring confusion: by trying to sidestep the most basic legal protections for detainees at the outset, the Bush administration guaranteed years of legal wrangling.”

In the wake of the court's decision, pressure will grow on the Bush administration to close down Guantánamo and release its 270 detainees.
In the wake of the court's decision, pressure will grow on the Bush administration to close down Guantánamo and release its 270 detainees.   (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)
A detainee, center, is escorted by U.S. military personnel at the detention facility on Guantanamo Bay U.S. Naval Base in Cuba.
A detainee, center, is escorted by U.S. military personnel at the detention facility on Guantanamo Bay U.S. Naval Base in Cuba.   (AP Photo/Brennan Linsley, File)
In front of a sign that says Close Guantanamo, demonstrators kneel in black hoods and orange jumpsuits, holding the names of prisoners held at Guantanamo Bay .
In front of a sign that says "Close Guantanamo," demonstrators kneel in black hoods and orange jumpsuits, holding the names of prisoners held at Guantanamo Bay .   (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy declared, The laws and Constitution are designed to survive, and remain in force, in extraordinary times.
Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy declared, "The laws and Constitution are designed to survive, and remain in force, in extraordinary times."   (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
President George W. Bush forced the Supreme Court to act, Stuart Taylor, Jr. writes in Newsweek.
President George W. Bush forced the Supreme Court to act, Stuart Taylor, Jr. writes in Newsweek.   (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Be the first to comment on this story.

More Newser Stories

Obama Throws Away Civil Liberties With Defense Bill

After bin Laden's Death, Afghanistan Debate Heats Up

Supreme Court Steps Into Thorny Case on Jerusalem

CIA: Bin Laden's Off to Gitmo if We Get Him

'State Secrets' Privilege Hits Supreme Court


NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne