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

Six Months for Hamdan? Scrap Military Trials

It's time for a new system with elements of civilian courts

By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff

Posted Aug 8, 2008 2:10 PM CDT

(Newser) – Salim Hamdan’s five-and-a-half-year prison sentence is a "stunningly unjust" joke, writes an enraged Andrew McCarthy in the National Review, especially because bin Laden’s driver will eligible for release in 6 months. Absurdly, he is now in a better position than his fellow detainees who haven’t been convicted of war crimes.

If this is the punishment that a military tribunal thinks fit for a man who helped bin Laden kill Americans, than McCarthy has seen enough: The experiment has failed. "I still think that the best system would be one that combines the demonstrated strengths of the civilian courts with the military system’s potential of protecting intelligence. Congress should get busy crafting such a system."

In this photograph of a sketch by courtroom artist Janet Hamlin, defendant Salim Hamdan attends his trial at Guantanamo Bay U.S. Naval Base, July 22, 2008.
In this photograph of a sketch by courtroom artist Janet Hamlin, defendant Salim Hamdan attends his trial at Guantanamo Bay U.S. Naval Base, July 22, 2008.   (AP Photo)
Salim Hamdan, far left, sits with his defense team during testimony on day three of his trial inside the war crimes courthouse at Guantanamo Bay US Naval Base, in Cuba, Wednesday, July 23, 2008.
Salim Hamdan, far left, sits with his defense team during testimony on day three of his trial inside the war crimes courthouse at Guantanamo Bay US Naval Base, in Cuba, Wednesday, July 23, 2008.   (AP Photo)
In this undated file photo, Salim Ahmed Hamdan, a former driver for Osama bin Laden, is seen at unknown location.
In this undated file photo, Salim Ahmed Hamdan, a former driver for Osama bin Laden, is seen at unknown location.   (AP Photo)
« 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

Panel: 50 Gitmo Prisoners Must Be Kept Indefinitely

Bin Laden Driver Too 'Primitive' to Be a Terrorist: 9/11 Planner

Bin Laden Driver's Soft Spot: McDonald's Fries

Gitmo Trial Describes al-Qaeda Inner Circle

Gitmo Trial Will Proceed After Judge Threatens Delay


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