Head Pentagon Lawyer Compared 19th Century Native American Resistance to Al-Qaeda

[The Straight Story]

Head Pentagon Lawyer Compared 19th Century Native American Resistance to Al-Qaeda

Leaders of the Seminole Indians have demanded a personal apology from President Barack Obama after military lawyers involved in tribunals for Guantánamo detainees compared the actions of the Florida tribe’s ancestors to al-Qaeda.

In 1818, General Andrew Jackson led a U.S. military invasion of Florida, then controlled by Spain, to stop black slaves from escaping into the territory. Jackson wound up putting on trial (and executing) two British merchants, Robert Ambrister and Alexander Arbuthnot, for aiding the Seminoles, who resisted the American incursion. That military tribunal eventually became the legal source for authorizing the 21st century Guantánamo war court to try suspected terrorists.

In a legal brief filed in support of the conviction of Ali Hamza al Bahlul, who served as media secretary to Osama bin Laden, Defense Department General Counsel Jeh C. Johnson wrote: “Not only was the Seminole belligerency unlawful, but, much like modern-day al Qaeda, the very way in which the Seminoles waged war against U.S. targets itself violate the customs and usages of war.”

Seminole Chairman Mitchell Cypress, who accused the military lawyers of a “backward dive into racist, revisionist history,” wrote to Obama and Secretary of Defense Robert Gates demanding personal apologies for Johnson’s analogy. So far only Johnson has publicly apologized for his words.

http://www.allgov.com/Controversies/ViewNews/Head_Pentagon_Lawyer_Compared_19th_Century_Native_American_Resistance_to_Al_Qaeda_110413

[aquart]

1. And does that idiot remember what we DID to the Seminoles?

Would he appreciate a comparison to the Bataan Death March?

[Recursion]

7. Err... we haven't been angels in the middle east, either

AQ didn't pick our name out of a hat.

[nebenaube]

2. and a Cherokee/Choctaw agrees... (with the Seminole)

scalp taking was a deterrent...

[RebelOne]

5. And this American of English-Irish and Scottish descent

agrees with the Seminoles. What our ancestors did to the Native Americans was despicable. I have always been a proponent for the rights of Native Americans. At least, some of the tribes are becoming rich from the gambling casinos.

[msanthrope]

3. He already apologized--Last Thursday.

http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/04/08/2158076/pentagon-lawyer-apologizes-for.html

That was a pretty-boneheaded analogy...

[jwirr]

4. He's got that just turned around - they were the people of the land

and the army was Al-Quada. But then they still believe in manifest destiny so what can we expect. I read the so called apology. Screw them and all their little idiot followers. There were war crimes committed in the wars with the Native Americans and it should not be denied. I hope the tribunal that is trying this case has a very good understanding of history because if this is used as an argument then the defendants should be found not guilty.

[Recursion]

6. From a tactical view he has a point, doesn't he? (nt)