Politics as usual: Another Washington deal

Any American who supports closing Guantanamo must come to grips with the resultant reality—all terrorists held at Guantanamo would have to be relocated or released.

Is Sen. Lindsey Graham saying he supports bringing terrorists onto the United States mainland for detention, trial or both?

And, between the lines, is Graham saying civilian courts would be used for those other trials.

Further, doesn’t Sen. Graham realize that liberal progressives will increase pressure to release more detainees?

And, has Graham forgotten that, according to the defense department, many of those previously released terrorists have returned to the military battlefield?

Finally, the deal-making Sen. Graham also said “We need a legal system that gives due process to the detainee, but also understands they didn’t rob a liquor store.”

The truth is we already have legal systems that do just that.

For civilians who commit crimes, following capture, typically they are charged, tried, and if convicted sentenced appropriate to the felony: robbery of a liquor store versus assault or death of another person.

Historically, during declared war, military combatants captured on the battlefield are held throughout the duration of the conflict. Terrorists, wherever captured, at minimum should be held indefinitely, if not tried and executed. No terrorist should be tried in civilian courts; nor should any terrorist be afforded the due process rights reserved for U.S. citizens in civilian courts. Those terrorists deemed for trial should be charged and tried in military tribunals using military justice guidelines.

Yes, it remains politics as usual—with another Washington deal—that’s not in the people’s interest.

Of course, there could be more to this.

The way things have been unfolding, President Obama will need a new attorney general.

If this proffered deal is not also part of a job application package, it will certainly serve to put Sen. Graham on the president’s short list.

Richard Olivastro is president of Olivastro Communications, a professional member of the National Speakers Association, and founder of Citizens For Change (www.CFC.us). He can be reached via email: RichOlivastro@gmail.com or via telephone: 877.RichSpeaks.