We must have a thorough process of periodic review, so that any prolonged detention is carefully evaluated and justified. I know that creating such a system poses unique challenges. Other countries have grappled with this question, and so must we. But I want to be very clear that our goal is to construct a legitimate legal framework for Guantanamo detainees – not to avoid one. In our constitutional system, prolonged detention should not be the decision of any one man. If and when we determine that the United States must hold individuals to keep them from carrying out an act of war, we will do so within a system that involves judicial and congressional oversight. And so going forward, my Administration will work with Congress to develop an appropriate legal regime so that our efforts are consistent with our values and our Constitution.
So now we're going to start incarcerating people for crimes that they might commit in the future? Not even King George proposed something along the lines of "prolonged detention".
I thought that we were doing away with the concept of a permanent "war on terror"-- and even so, the thought of "prolonged detention" of an individual without being charged with an actual crime seems to me to be incredibly unconstitutional and against any modern democratic "rule of law". Say it ain't so, Big O.
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