Constitution? How Many Republicans Signed That?

WASHINGTON - A federal appeals court ruled Tuesday that foreign-born prisoners seized as potential terrorists and held in Guantanamo Bay may not challenge their detention in U.S. courts.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit ruled 2-1 that civilian courts no longer have the authority to consider whether the military is illegally holding the prisoners — a decision that will strip court access for hundreds of detainees with cases currently pending.

"The arguments are creative but not cogent. To accept them would be to defy the will of Congress," wrote Judge A. Raymond Randolph in the 25-page opinion, which was joined by Judge David B. Sentelle. Both are Republican appointees to the federal bench.

"We're disappointed," said Shayana Kadidal of the Center for Constitutional Rights. "The bottom line is that according to two of the federal judges, the president can do whatever he wants without any legal limitations as long as he does it offshore."


Given that Judge Sentelle (who appointed and endlessly expanded Ken Starr's sordid little circle jerk) has never met a Republican politician he wouldn't bow down to and blow enthusiastically, this is just more kicking the can down the road. Still, I think it's time to start impeaching some of these judges. At the least it would be a good way to delay any hearing on Chimpy's parade of Fedaralist Society Fascists.

S(ister Mary)Squirrel