The Compromise of National Security
As of late, some officials and politicians have made the most dangerous decision since the terrorist attacks of 11 September 2001. Specifically, the current Attorney General of the United States, Eric Holder, decided to send the perpetrators of 9/11 and of the attack on the U.S.S. Cole to New York City (just blocks from Ground Zero). The accused are best served by having military tribunals at a neutral site such as Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
The Geneva Convention states that prisoners of war are only to be offered legal representation from their native countries at a military tribunal set at a neutral site, not at a civilian trial in one of the affected countries. However, the native countries from which the accused hail do not want to represent them. It is NOT the responsibility of the United States to represent them. Even if they were declared POWs, they cannot be represented by American attorneys. There is no way that a fair trial can be conducted on American soil anyway for the accused!
Also, several members of the current Administration is trying to send the detainees currently at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba to prisons within the U.S. One of prisons that were considered was the federal penitentiary at Fort Leavenworth. This fort is 20 miles from my residence. I feel threatened by this foolish decision. I do not see how residents living near Fort Leavenworth, the prison at Thomson, IL, or the prison being considered in Colorado feel about terrorists being sent to their back yards.
Thus, it seems to me that the aforementioned people have failed to read and understand the Constitution of the United States. In particular, Article III, Section 3 is being grossly violated.
Article III, Section 3 states the following:
“Treason against the United States, shall consist only in levying War against them, or in adhering to their Enemies, giving them Aid and Comfort. No Person shall be convicted of Treason unless on the Testimony of two Witnesses to the same overt Act, or on Confession in open Court.
The Congress shall have Power to declare the Punishment of Treason, but no Attainder of Treason shall work Corruption of Blood, or Forfeiture except during the Life of the Person attainted.”
The two previously mentioned decisions, I believe, are in direct violation of this part of the Constitution. We must hold the Obama Administration to account for these severe compromises in our national security.
Derek Witt
