Sen Dodd: Warns Bush & Rummy-DO NOT IMPLEMENT MILITARY COMMISSIONS ACT

[kpete]

Senator Dodd Cautions Against Premature Implementation of the Military Commissions Act

November 28, 2006

Washington, D.C. – Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT) today urged the Administration to delay implementation of the Military Commissions Act of 2006 until a new Secretary of Defense has been appointed and given an opportunity to scrutinize the highly controversial law. In letters to President Bush and Secretary Rumsfeld, Sen. Dodd delivered his criticism of the Military Commissions Act and recommended that the new Secretary of Defense undertake a review of the statute that includes direct consultation with members of Congress as well as the Judge Advocate General’s Corps


“I strongly believe that terrorists who seek to destroy America must be punished for any wrongs they commit against this country,” said Dodd. “But in my view, in order to sustain America’s moral authority and win a lasting victory against our enemies, such punishment must be meted out only in accordance with the rule of law. It is my belief that the provisions of the Military Commissions Act run counter to these very aims, and may actually undermine the judicial system established by the Uniform Code of Military Justice.

“To prosecute America’s war on terrorism, it is my view that our new Secretary of Defense will have to thoroughly vet the provisions of the Military Commissions Act.”

On November 16, 2006, Sen. Dodd introduced his Effective Terrorists Prosecution Act, legislation which is intended to amend the Military Commissions Act in order to establish an effective process for bringing terrorists to justice, which is currently not the case under the existing law. The Effective Terrorists Prosecution Act would also seek to ensure that U.S. servicemen and women are afforded the maximum protection of a strong international legal framework guaranteed by respect for such provisions as the Geneva Conventions and other international standards, and to restore America’s moral authority as the leader in the world in advancing the rule of law.

The full text of the letter to the President, followed by the letter to Secretary Rumsfeld:
at: http://dodd.senate.gov/index.php?q=node/3663

[Alexander]

1. Dodd's pretty decent, and has his shit together re: Latin America.

He doesn't light the world on fire for me, but if Gore doesn't run and he does, I can live with that.

[symbolman]

2. I've got to commend him for this

a nice little shot across the bow of an ILLEGAL act which at it's core Usurps the Magna Carta itself.. kudos for "moral authority" language for our county, that term delineates it nicely..

[Bandit]

4. Didn't it pass the Senate by fairly large margin?

Don't know how Dodd voted on it but a lot of Democrats voted for it..

[symbolman]

5. The strange world of the Congress and Public Opinion

shaped by media, eh? I don't know..

But I do know that they can take something like this and DECLAW and DEFANG it to the point where it's as useless as an appendix in the human body..

Personally I'd like to see ONE BILL brought by the Dems.

"Everything that Bush has signed into Law, including Signing Statements, any Edict, any Appointments made at any time not Authorized while Congress was away, are NOW OFFICIALLY Decertified, Null and VOID..." And anyone that votes against this Bill can meet us in the Parking lot of the Congress where we will be testing the New Guilotine.. How do you Vote, UP (raise the blade..chains clanking), or DOWN (the blade slices through the air, ZING!)

Now THAT would be a Law/Bill I could get behind :)

[porphyrian]

3. I'll kick that. - n/t

[Land Shark]

6. Come to think of it, i'll warn Bush not to implement the MCA as well!

upcoming analysis of the MCA alluded to...

[mom cat]

7. I believe that his bill does not repeal the provisions for amnesty for *

and the rest of Bushco.