Let's see, Barack Obama, is the president of the United States of America. Being POTUS means you're Commander in Chief of the nation's armed forces, the top dog.
So, when the CinC "requests" that Gitmo trials be stood down for 90-days so his administration can scrutinize and assess the entire process, you might think it was a given that those military judges would click their heels, salute and wait to hear back from the boss.
Not so. From the Associated Press:
A military judge at Guantanamo on Thursday rejected a White House request to suspend a hearing for the alleged mastermind of the USS Cole bombing, creating an unexpected challenge for the Obama administration as it reviews the U.S. war-crimes trials process.
The judge, Army Col. James Pohl, said his decision was difficult but necessary to protect "the public interest in a speedy trial." The ruling came in the case against Abd al-Rahim al-Nashiri. The bombing of the Navy destroyer in 2000 in the harbor of Aden, Yemen, killed 17 U.S. sailors.
It seemed to take the Pentagon completely by surprise.
"The Department of Defense is currently reviewing Judge Pohl's ruling," said Navy Cmdr. Jeffrey Gordon, a Pentagon spokesman. "We will be in compliance with the President's orders regarding Guantanamo."
C'mon, a "speedy trial?" Gitmo? Get real.
That flushing sound you hear is the Colonel's chance of ever making Brigadier. Maybe he's looking to get out and run as a Republican anyway.
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hvgzauEfo94g-QRVik7N_BMXozlwD961028O0
2 comments:
Somebody missed the class at the academy on "following orders". There is no such thing as a request or a suggestion from the CinC.
Post a Comment