Bob Gates & Locking You Up Forever - By Robert Parry

[LSK]

Bob Gates & Locking You Up Forever

By Robert Parry
December 1, 2006

As the next Defense Secretary, Robert M. Gates will be in charge of a new star-chamber legal system that can lock up indefinitely “unlawful enemy combatants” and “any person” accused of aiding them. Yet, despite these extraordinary new powers, his confirmation is being treated more like a coronation than a time for tough questions.

Not since 2003 when Secretary of State Colin Powell wowed Official Washington with his United Nations speech on Iraq’s WMD has there been such an awed consensus about any public figure as there has been for former CIA Director Gates, who is almost universally praised for his intelligence, experience and down-to-earth style.

But there are serious unresolved questions about Gates’s past that the American people might want resolved before he is entrusted with the awesome new powers that the Military Commissions Act of 2006 puts in the hands of the Defense Secretary.

More...

http://www.consortiumnews.com/2006/113006.html

[DRoseDARs]

1. Lock up "any person" not found guilty, but merely accused of aiding "unlawful enemy combatants."

The incoming Mr. Gates would be wise to not utilize this "tool" if he wants to keep himself out of the crosshairs of Congressional investigations next year...

[fooj]

2. There's some pertinent info in this article.

I didn't realize that Ray McGovern was Gates's former boss. I hope that he participates in these upcoming hearings.

[LSK]

3. McGovern has been writing articles lately

And speaking out about Gates, so hopefully he will be there.

I hope the Dems dont softball this.