Secret trials for terrorists, says US judge

[IChing]

Source: The Australian

Secret trials for terrorists, says US judge
David Nason, Chicago
June 29, 2007


A TOP-RANKING US judge has stunned a conference of Australian judges and barristers in Chicago by advocating secret trials for terrorists, more surveillance of Muslim populations across North America and an end to counter-terrorism efforts being "hog-tied" by the US constitution.
Judge Richard Posner, a supposedly liberal-leaning jurist regarded by many as a future US Supreme Court candidate, said traditional concepts of criminal justice were inadequate to deal with the terrorist threat and the US had "over-invested" in them.

His proposed "big brother" solutions flabbergasted delegates at the Australian Bar Association's biennial conference, where David Hicks's lawyer, Major Michael Mori, is to be awarded honorary life membership.

"We have to fight terrorism with our strengths, and our strengths evolve around technology, including the technology of surveillance," said Justice Posner, a prolific legal scholar who sits on the US Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit.

Read more: http://theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,21986986-2702,00.html?from=public_rss

[Kagemusha]

1. Not the first time I've heard bad stuff from Posner.

That's too bad but what's to be done about it?

[IChing]

2. We will now have a secret trial on you so you may discuss your question

Sardonic comment aside, I really don't know. Who appointed him anyway?

[Kagemusha]

8. Wikipedia says Reagan appointed him.

So there you go.

[HereSince1628]

3. Justice undermines freedom when it isn't conducted out in the open.

The defendant and the citizenry must know the evidence behind the charges. Habeus corpus and all that quaint jazz aside, evil shit happens even when you require the government to keep it's sleeves rolled up and its hands where everyone can see them.

In secrecy with a pro-vice President like Cheney and an Unpresident like Bush evil shit ultimately becomes de rigueur for the syncophants that work for them.

[DBoon]

4. Somehow we survived decades with Soviet nuclear missiles aimed at us

and we didn't have to suspend the constitution.

19 guys with box cutters manage to do what the evil communist empire couldn't

[Xipe Totec]

5. A black robe by day, and a white one by night nt

[Rageneau]

6. We need secret judicial reviews of "certain" judges.

Judges have more long-term impact than terrorists and guard many priceless secrets. Thus we should randomly arrest, incarcerate, and investigate them in secret. If they pass muster, they will reappear. If not...

[sutz12]

7. Sometimes I wonder if it wouldn't be better...

to expose all of the terrorists. Just let everybody know who they are and where they hang out?

They thrive on darkness. Bring them out into the light.

I suppose this would backfire the first time someoe was wrongfully exposed, but I just wonder if maybe the 19 were 'exposed' they mightn't have made it on the planes. :shrug:

[LiberalFighter]

9. Then the Republicans would complain about being stalked

and being persecuted and tortured.

[Pastiche423]

13. If you have proof of the "19"

please share!

While I have read article after article and book after book, I have yet to see any proof that 19 terrists w/boxcutters piloted the 9/11 planes.

[The Stranger]

14. It would appear from the article that one is "exposing himself" all the way over in Australia.

[nyublue]

10. Ha!! Posner a "liberal"? Only at a News Corp. outlet

Posner is a disaster of a judge and most definitely a conservative..

[lovuian]

11. You know they don't get how far they are away from

Habeas Corpus and justice

its like living a Lie

[billyoc]

12. Paging Justice Posner...

We had your secret impeachment while you were out of your office...

[neverforget]

15. You'll have your fair trial and then you'll be shot!

[daleo]

16. Transparent justice is a must

There has been terrorism of one sort or another forever (think of the gunpowder plot). Habeas corpus and all the other legal rights came about for a good reason. Only cowards give up their rights over the actions and ravings of a handful of fanatics.

[entanglement]

17. Posner also supports torture - he's "liberal" like Dershowitz is liberal

n/t

[saigon68]

18. Posner is a thug and a Hoodlum

Like "Gangster" Cheney