Guantanamo: need some info and questions

Traffic Goddess · Nov 18th 2010, 11:58 AM

Hi all-
I will starting at PSU in January to finish my undergrad degree. After that I want to attend law school at Dickinson, that is now PSU's law school. While I was perusing the Dickinson site, I came across an event taking place tomorrow at PSU Main Campus. There is a Professional Responsibility course that is hosting Lt. Colonel Vandervelde and Lt. Colonel Frankt. They will be discussing ethical choices they had to make while serving as prosecution and defense attorneys while assigned to Guantanamo.

I wrote the professor and she gave me permission to attend the class, tomorrow. I'm also invited to a reception afterwards. Does anyone have some info on these officers? Any questions I should ask?

I'm really excited about this, it sounds like it's going to be fascinating.

Lazlo Toth · Nov 18th 2010, 12:02 PM

It's in Cuba. The US sends Cuba rent checks every year. Cuba doesn't cash them.

wx or not · Nov 18th 2010, 12:12 PM

We got Guantanamo from the Platt Amendment, signed after Cuba's independence after the Treaty of Paris was signed.

Clever Login Name · Nov 18th 2010, 12:14 PM

Any of this been helpful?

Seriously, read up on the recently-completed civilian trial of Gitmo inmate Gailani (sp?) and ask them questions about whether they feel it's better to try terrorists in a civilian court rather than before the military. I'd be very interested as to what their answers are.

Tripe Face · Nov 18th 2010, 12:22 PM

If I were there, I'd ask them... those who oppose civilian criminal trials for the terrorists would rather they be tried by military commissions... why are military commissions better forums for achieving a legitimate conviction?

Also, so much of the evidence that the prosecutors are using against terror suspect was gained through torture or "enhanced interrogaton techniques." Did the prosecutor have any moral trouble using that evidence?

Sultanosurf · Nov 18th 2010, 02:02 PM

If you mean "Vandeveld," he was one of the Guantanamo prosecutors who resigned over the ethical considerations involved, and the whistleblower who turned over withheld controversial case records. Remember? And "Frakt" is also an Air Force Reservist who was just in the news as the appointed defense counsel for Mohammed Jawad, the Gitmo detainee who was a minor when the events he's charged with occurred.

They're likely to cover most of the troubling issues associated with Gitmo without a need for any questions. But the one key question would be how the two think the US government should be handling these cases if they don't approve of the current methods...

Roy Hobbs · Nov 19th 2010, 11:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Traffic Goddess

Does anyone have some info on these officers? Any questions I should ask?

I'd be happy to answer all your questions fully but first you have ask me...nicely.

Sultanosurf · Nov 20th 2010, 03:15 AM

Well, TG, we're all waiting to hear what you learned in school today...

Did Ms. Rogers send a note home?

Nov 18th 2010, 11:58 AM	#1
Traffic Goddess Open Line Veteran Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Aboard a boat, somewhere on the Chesapeake! Posts: 1,731	Guantanamo: need some info and questions Hi all- I will starting at PSU in January to finish my undergrad degree. After that I want to attend law school at Dickinson, that is now PSU's law school. While I was perusing the Dickinson site, I came across an event taking place tomorrow at PSU Main Campus. There is a Professional Responsibility course that is hosting Lt. Colonel Vandervelde and Lt. Colonel Frankt. They will be discussing ethical choices they had to make while serving as prosecution and defense attorneys while assigned to Guantanamo. I wrote the professor and she gave me permission to attend the class, tomorrow. I'm also invited to a reception afterwards. Does anyone have some info on these officers? Any questions I should ask? I'm really excited about this, it sounds like it's going to be fascinating.

Nov 18th 2010, 12:02 PM	#2
Lazlo Toth Open Line Elitist Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: SF Bay Area Posts: 18,631	It's in Cuba. The US sends Cuba rent checks every year. Cuba doesn't cash them. __________________ "The Dude abides."

Nov 18th 2010, 12:12 PM	#3
wx or not A Bit Off Center Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: North of Cincinnati Posts: 14,572	We got Guantanamo from the Platt Amendment, signed after Cuba's independence after the Treaty of Paris was signed. __________________ Enjoy the veal! Be sure to tip your weatherman!

Nov 18th 2010, 12:14 PM	#4
Clever Login Name You Know I'm Right Join Date: May 2004 Location: Santa Poco, Mexico Posts: 12,031	Any of this been helpful? Seriously, read up on the recently-completed civilian trial of Gitmo inmate Gailani (sp?) and ask them questions about whether they feel it's better to try terrorists in a civilian court rather than before the military. I'd be very interested as to what their answers are. __________________ "Look at my posts. They point to bad behavior on the right ..." -- bucky

Nov 18th 2010, 12:22 PM	#5
Tripe Face MediaLine CEO Emeritus Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: In the know Posts: 21,376	If I were there, I'd ask them... those who oppose civilian criminal trials for the terrorists would rather they be tried by military commissions... why are military commissions better forums for achieving a legitimate conviction? Also, so much of the evidence that the prosecutors are using against terror suspect was gained through torture or "enhanced interrogaton techniques." Did the prosecutor have any moral trouble using that evidence? __________________ "I'm the ridiculous one." New York'rr Nov. 2010 "Please, I would advise you not to take any advice from me." Produce Man Jan. 2011

Nov 18th 2010, 02:02 PM	#6
Sultanosurf Starry Eyed Innocent Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Sunwashed Surf Posts: 16,804	If you mean "Vandeveld," he was one of the Guantanamo prosecutors who resigned over the ethical considerations involved, and the whistleblower who turned over withheld controversial case records. Remember? And "Frakt" is also an Air Force Reservist who was just in the news as the appointed defense counsel for Mohammed Jawad, the Gitmo detainee who was a minor when the events he's charged with occurred. They're likely to cover most of the troubling issues associated with Gitmo without a need for any questions. But the one key question would be how the two think the US government should be handling these cases if they don't approve of the current methods...

Nov 20th 2010, 03:15 AM	#8
Sultanosurf Starry Eyed Innocent Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Sunwashed Surf Posts: 16,804	Well, TG, we're all waiting to hear what you learned in school today... Did Ms. Rogers send a note home?

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