The Widdershins

Obama Administration Refuses to Release Teenage Guantanamo Prisoner Forced to Confess by Torture

Posted by: BeMindful on: June 30, 2009

cross-posted at Katalusis

One gets tired of repeatedly calling to account the “liberal” punditry trailing after the multitudes of rapidly defecting Obamaphiles across the land. But still it’s hard not to point out yet again to NY Times columnist Bob Herbert that he used his platform to help seduce the electorate into handing the presidency to one of the most inexperienced candidates to ever run for the office. For future reference, Americans need to be reminded that he of the thin resume was inaugurated during a worldwide financial meltdown, two wars, and a multitude of other global challenges.

To be fair, Herbert’s column in today’s NY Times is not the first he’s written in which he unveils his disillusionment with the One. In response to his most recent painful acknowledgement of reality titled, “How Long is Long Enough,” 193 astute readers with their humanity still intact recommended this comment by Solla Carrock of Portland, OR:

I knew there was a child at Guantanamo. I wondered whether he had been released. I didn’t know that he was among those who had been tortured. How could anyone do that to a child. How can we continue. Is he one of the ones who are to be kept indefinitely because he cannot be tried in a court of law. President Obama, is this the change you promised, because I am beginning to lose my faith in it. If someone can’t be tried then they need to be released. The dignity and rights of human beings, every human being, is the basis of our country, and if we cannot even protect children, what are we about.

Yes, Solla, this is the change President Obama promised.

In summary, Mr. Herbert points out: Mohammed Jawad was captured as a teenager in Kabul and tortured in American custody. Now administration lawyers are blocking efforts to secure his freedom.

Here’s the deal:

No one seems to know how old Mohammed Jawad was when he was seized by Afghan forces in Kabul six and a half years ago and turned over to American custody. Some reports say he was 14. Some say 16. The Afghan government believes he was 12.

What is not in dispute is that he was no older than an adolescent, and that since his capture he has been tortured and otherwise put through hell. The evidence against him has been discredited. He has tried to commit suicide. But the U.S. won’t let him go.

Herbert reports:

Lt. Col. Darrel Vandeveld of the U.S. Army Reserve, a recipient of the Bronze Star, among other commendations, was named the lead prosecutor on the case in 2007. By then, Jawad had already been held for nearly five years. Colonel Vandeveld assumed that the case would be uncomplicated and that a conviction could be easily secured.

Jawad had confessed to the attack and, according to the charges against him, had acted as a member of an insurgent group called Hezb-e-Islami Gulbuddin.

As Colonel Vandeveld began a diligent effort to assemble what he assumed would be the evidence that would convict Jawad, he became increasingly distressed and ultimately dismayed. It turned out, as a military judge would later rule, that Jawad’s Afghan captors had obtained his confession by torturing him. Then the boy was taken by U.S. authorities to Bagram Air Field, the main U.S. military installation in Afghanistan, where he was held before eventually being transferred to Guantánamo Bay, Cuba.

Herbert concludes:

There is no credible evidence against Jawad, and his torture-induced confession has rightly been ruled inadmissible by a military judge. But the Obama administration does not feel that he has suffered enough. Not only have administration lawyers opposed defense efforts to secure Jawad’s freedom, but they are using, as the primary basis for their opposition, the fruits of the confession that was obtained through torture and has already been deemed inadmissible — without merit, of no value.

Colonel Vandeveld is no longer on active duty and has joined the effort by military defense lawyers and the American Civil Liberties Union to secure Jawad’s freedom. Six years of virtual solitary confinement, he said, is enough for someone who was not much older than a child when he was taken into custody.

I’ve omitted the parts detailing the torture Jawad has endured (it’s no wonder our neophyte president won’t release the remaining photos); you can read the entire column here.

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77 Responses to "Obama Administration Refuses to Release Teenage Guantanamo Prisoner Forced to Confess by Torture"

I have to remember not to post comments when I’m reading the first post of the day and there are then a couple of posts later, cuz no one will read the comments. :lol:

From last post!

When do you think Sanford will resign? Friendly bet. Prize = bragging rights!

Taggles: Friday, 2 pm
MB: Friday, 5 pm
TW: Monday
HelenK: Friday

(TW and HelenK we need the time you think this news will break!) All times are eastern time!

Bemindful, in the last thread I delurked to indicate that I felt I was in a fantasyland. This thread means that I was incorrect. This is not fantasy, it’s obscenity. I understand the rationale for not releasing this young man – he could sink many, many careers. Am I incorrect in my thoughts that the western political establishment is no longer about justice and for the people by the people, but has become for me by me, and be darned to the rest? I hope not.
Sadly, should the young man be released, what future is there for him – tortured at age 15? Bet those torturers read the Diary of Anne Frank in high school.

Many of these prisoners who were picked up by Afghani forces are not terrorists. The people who picked them up were paid handsomely for turning over terrorists to the US, even if they were not terrorists. They coerced confessions and received their bounty from the US.

Well, Dick Cheney, how do you answer this one?

Oh yes. “The Democrats agree with me.”

May I just say from the bottom of my heart: F*ck You, Barack Obama, you heartless, cynical, uncaring piece of trash. How DARE YOU! This is not why people voted for you, and you KNOW IT!

Many of the “terrists” held under terrible conditions at Bagram are there because they were turned in to even a personal “score” or in order to collect the bounty money. Obama has defied the USSC and a Federal judge and continues to deny basic legal rights to prisoners.

Monday 2pm. Think Helen said midnight Friday.

BM, you are braver than me. I can’t go near Herbert. Saw that “How long is long enough” headline and thought he was probably writing about the Madoff sentence. Yes, it’s a travesty. In Obama’s words, the indefinite detentions could last 5 years, 10 years, who knows. Shouldn’t the Supremes be ruling on whether this “never ending war on terror” warrants a never ending suspension of habeas corpus. Even POWs are eventually tried or released.

OT…
“Associated Press
GOP’s Coleman concedes, sending Franken to Senate”

http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2009/06/30/ap6604476.html

Hopefully Al will be a Liberal and not another fu*king Obot.

Its official AL Franken is officially Senator Al Franken (D) Minnesota! a fillibuster proof majority in the Senate what is the Dems excuse now?

I bet Pampers is Shitting full grown elephants….he will have no excuse now and neither will the D’d in the Senate!

This Proves there is Justice!

Fuzzy is back!!!!!! Yippeeeeee!!!! Yay!!!!!!!!

How was TN??

Welcome back fuzzy!!

taggles
I changed my time and day.
It will be 12:01a on Sunday I can not say midnight there is no midnight on the railroad. It will after the papers are put to bed. also too late for the Sunday am talk shows.

If the young man was not an enemy before he will be now. I do not blame him. He has to be freed and given medical and mental help before he is sent back to his county and family. How we undo what was done to him , I do not know.
What is being done in our name is unforgivable. We will be considered no better than the nazis during WW2. Backtrack claimed he was against Bushes policies but I really believe he was selected to continue them.
Public outrage will do no good as he really does not give a damn what the public thinks. Starting with congress we can slowly weed out and isolate those who are not in America’s best interest.

WOMEN WITH INTELLIGENCE AND EXPERIENCE,MEN WHO SUPPORT THEM AND COUNTRY BEFORE PARTY ALWAYS

PUMAS,BUBBAS,EQUALISTS AND THOSE PEOPLE RULE

well with 255 seats in the house and 60 in the senate….I guess it will be a SHORT matter of time before Pampers signs the below…

EQUAL PAY ACT
Repeal of DADT
Repeal of DOMA
Pass ENDA
Delivers on Universal Health Care
Ends the war in Iraq
Closes Gitmo
Restores Habeaus Corpus
Repeals the PATRIOT Act

Or should I not hold my breath?

It’s weird. You’d think at my age I would be beyond disillusionment. But here I am feeling despair at what is happening in America and under American authority abroad. I never in my previously most despairing moments imagined that we would condone torture of another human being.

It’s also frightening. Carl Jung repeatedly pointed out that the self-righteous cast dark shadows. America has long been a self-righteous nation, criticizing other countries for their vile practices. Now we are exposed as perpetrators of inhumane treatment of prisoners to extract false confessions. And the current administration refuses to change course.

Don’t forget FOCA, Fuzzy!

Tennessee wa wonderful mom the 11 gradkinds and 1 great grand kind as well as my siblings and their spouses were all great..Dollywood was fun and the weather beautiful….

Taggles Madamab the “should I not hold my breath?” was not a retorical question!

So far, here are the guesses for when Sanford will resign:

Taggles: Friday, 2 pm
MB: Friday, 5 pm
TW: Monday 2pm
HelenK: Sunday 12:01am

(all times are eastern)

Everyone get your guesses in now, before midnight strikes tonight. Who knows he might resign tomorrow?????

Taggles FOCA is as Pampers says “the first bill I will sign” is of course at the top of the list according to Pampers…I hope he sends you the pen he uses to sing FOCA you deserve it!

FuuuUUUUUuuuuuZZZZZZYYYYYYYYY!

Missed you! I’m so glad you had a great time. :-)

SHV – I think Al will be a good liberal. His hero is Paul Wellstone, and I listened to him for years on Air America and agreed with almost everything he said.

He’s good enough, he’s smart enough, and darnit, people like him!
;-)

Taggles Here is my reason and guess alets see thursday is historically “take out the trash newsday” for the white house so it has to be late thursday before the holiday…I say the boot to his head comes @ 4:59:59 pm Thursday July 2nd 2009 CE/EDT.

Oh I am sure that with such a majority Pampers may even revisit FISA!

This makes me sick this kid was so awfully abused if his parents had done this to him we would be in the streets demanding justice. The fact that this was done in my name makes me ASHAMED to be an American.

I am ASHAMED of this and the president who authorized the treatment of this child in such a manner and the current president that allows it to continue and does not punish the perpitartors of this GROSS INJUSTICE.

SHAME ON YOU BARAK OBAMA SHAME ON YOU!

How Al franken was that?

It felt so good I want to do it again….

SHAME ON YOU BARAK OBAMA SHAME ON YOU!

SHAME ON YOU BARAK OBAMA SHAME ON YOU!

hey everyone that certianly made me feel better….

love your new pic Madamab….

How long will it be before Obama takes credit for Bush’s agreement that gives Iraq control of its own security. starting tomorrow?

The June 30 withdrawal is the prelude to a complete American pullout by the end of 2011.

The Status of Forces Agreement, which set the pullback deadline, says US commanders must seek permission from Iraqi authorities to conduct operations, but American troops retain a unilateral right to “legitimate self-defence”.

Never mind that the agreement was signed last year. The Obots are so f*cking stupid, they have probably forgotten that Bush was ever President.

OT…..

Republican logic on the “public option”…it’s bad because it will lower costs…I sh*t you not!!!
(snip)
Snowe, R-Maine, said she’s working with Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., to establish that kind of a framework in the bill expected to emerge next month from the Senate Finance Committee.

In an Associated Press interview in Portland, Snowe said it would be unfair to include a government-run health insurance option that would take effect immediately.

“If you establish a public option at the forefront that goes head-to-head and competes with the private health insurance market … the public option will have significant price advantages,” she said.
(snip)

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/sns-ap-us-obama-health-care-snowe,0,7253018.story

Good for you, Fuzzy – and thanks! With my short hair I don’t look bald anymore. LOL

I wonder how many troops the agreement will leave in Iraq? The AP doesn’t go into details, of course.

SHV – she’s not the only one who has said that. It’s the new justification for not cutting costs via single-payer.

Apparently no one is listening, or gives a sh*t, when these politicians make their naked corporatism known.

It’s disgusting.

aw shit, dayum fuzzy! i forgot friday was a holiday! Well I’m stuck with Friday at 2pm!

So your time is thursday at 4:59 eastern, don’t throw in edt, or ce I am a dummy with time zones! LOL

Later folks – time to go home!

me and my ron paul lovin’ brother in law had an AD/CE argument it was funny is it the year 2009 CE or 2009 AD? well we almost compromised on 2009 AC/DC but that raised a question about transgendered inclusion in setting the correct date!

SHV
Thank you for the information about the FDA. Have you heard any plans for backtrack to increase inspector jobs and give us better information on new drugs and keep food inspections going?

So it is still the same old thing with health care screw the American people profits before people. Both parties equally guilty

Fuzzy
Glad you had fun and glad to see you back.

WOMEN WITH INTELLIGENCE AND EXPERIENCE,MEN WHO SUPPORT THEM AND COUNTRY BEFORE PARTY ALWAYS

PUMAS,BUBBAS,EQUALISTS AND THOSE PEOPLE RULE

It ‘s a perfect writing. Thank you.

Yet another thunderstorm in the constitution state. I could grow rice in the backyard.

Sandford: Friday 4:59 pm. (LOL MB)

Secret meeting in the West Wing to plan a strategy for why the Dems will not deliver on their campaign promises….

1) Pampers wants 80 senate votes for all his legislative priorities 60 just ain’t good enough for “The One” (OK writing that made me want to vomit)

2) Racism a good standby

3) Republicans (oops will not work anymore)

4) I never planned to keep my promises…(oops the truth dummy never works)

5) Promises what promises do you like my new suit? shoes or MO’s Dress..

6) hey sorry would love to deliver on a few promises but me and MO have date night…

7) Sorry reading my pet goat to the girls no time for “presidenting”

Yeaaaah! Welcome back, Fuzzy. I missed your humor!

If GWB could order susan collins and olympia snowe and arlen specter around, then Obama ought to be able to make the conservadems toe the line.

Think BO said at the gay function last night, don’t pay attention to the promises I make, pay attention to the promises I keep.

OH NO HE DINNINT!

Yah he did!!

President Obama defended his policies on gay rights on Monday, telling an audience of gay men and lesbians that he remained committed to overturning the military’s “don’t ask, don’t tell” rule and that he expected to be judged “not by promises I’ve made but by the promises that my administration keeps.”

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/30/us/politics/30obama.html?_r=1&ref=politics

WOW WTF does “…not by promises I’ve made but by the promises that my administration keeps.” mean?

what a load of horseshit that comes out of the ones mouth…

he is one of those people who can talk alot but not say one Damn thing!

Is this lady a PUMA? Is she listening to Gary?

http://www.maniacworld.com/have-a-nice-day.html

Just wondered.

WOMEN WITH INTELLIGENCE AND EXPERIENCE,MEN WHO SUPPORT THEM AND COUNTRY BEFORE PARTY ALWAYS

PUMAS,BUBBAS,EQUALISTS AND THOSE PEOPLE RULE

But he was elected by the promises he made, and he isn’t keeping any of them.

LOL helen!

Hey, happy days are here again, Fuzzy is back!

Re Obie’s super majority, now the obots have no excuse.

Obama to appoint former Senator Coleman (R-MN)as white house chief of legislative affairs-(OK just kidding)-

but I wouldnt put it past the Pampers in chief….its a Bi-partisan move

For Latida and others who need some beauty today.

http://hubblesite.org/gallery/album/

WOMEN WITH INTELLIGENCE AND EXPERIENCE,MEN WHO SUPPORT THEM AND COUNTRY BEFORE PARTY ALWAYS

PUMAS,BUBBAS,EQUALISTS AND THOSE PEOPLE RULE

Fuzzy: DO NOT hold your breath. I repeat, DO NOT hold your breath!

(I for one enjoy your comments…)

OMG, I saw Mother Mary without her veil in the “Spiral Galaxy”

http://hubblesite.org/gallery/album/entire/pr1994002c/

That was very thoughtful, Helen, and actually very inspirational on the art front. I bookmarked it.

Latda
You are very welcome. Sometimes we all need to see that there is beauty if we just look for it. I go there and to Julies Magic Light Show a lot when things get overwhelming.

WOMEN WITH INTELLIGENCE AND EXPERIENCE,MEN WHO SUPPORT THEM AND COUNTRY BEFORE PARTY ALWAYS

PUMAS,BUBBAS,EQUALISTS AND THOSE PEOPLE RULE

I am appalled by the statements coming out of Snowe and others. The whole point of reworking health insurance is to make it more affordable and higher in quality!!! Not to protect the insurance companies, who generally do cr@p for their members, except jerk them and their doctors around. (Disclaimer: I am a doctor.)

I personally would love to have access to the insurance afforded members of congress.

It just fries me that they sit around with all their benefits and expense accounts and carry out these charades. Do some work for the American people, boneheads!! And try getting some physicians involved in the process, because we actually have something to add to the conversation.

I’m not even going to address B0′s idiotic comment about promises.

Latida

http://juliesmagiclightshow.com/?pic=83

Nature has it’s own beauty

WOMEN WITH INTELLIGENCE AND EXPERIENCE,MEN WHO SUPPORT THEM AND COUNTRY BEFORE PARTY ALWAYS

PUMAS,BUBBAS,EQUALISTS AND THOSE PEOPLE RULE

Damn. These 80s videos don’t stick.

And try getting some physicians involved in the process, because we actually have something to add to the conversation.
***********
Max Baucus had the physicians arrested when they showed up for the Senate hearing.

max baucus is an enemy combatant against united states citizens!

would it be too much to ask of obama to declare him as one??

The Obamas will be vacationing in Martha’s Vineyard in July. That’s original.

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0609/24377.html

3W
How can you tell that he is on vacation? Between weekends at Camp David, date night, party night and gym time when is he not on vacation?
Some one want to tell him that he is not a Kennedy? Old Joe expected his sons to work sometime. They could party but they better do some work too.

WOMEN WITH INTELLIGENCE AND EXPERIENCE,MEN WHO SUPPORT THEM AND COUNTRY BEFORE PARTY

PUMAS,BUBBAS,EQUALISTS AND THOSE PEOPLE RULE

So the Obama family will be on vacation July and August…The country is probably better off..

Helen, maybe he doesn’t want to be accused of being a control freak like Carter. So he’ll have his fun and delegate. Though it’s not clear who he’s delegating to. Emanuel seems to get most of his work done at the gym.

Those guys at politico really hate women, don’t they?

Queen Michelle the first?

(Michelle) Obama’s new chief of staff, Susan Sher, is part of the crucial 8:15 a.m. White House staff meeting. The first lady’s team of more than 20 has been told to think “strategically” about how to make her a player on policies she cares about.

This could be a very bad idea.

Washington insiders haven’t seen a first lady this ambitious since Hillary Clinton, without question the most powerful holder of that unofficial office.

Clinton put herself in charge of her husband’s plans to radically reform health care, and the nation is still paying the price for her mistakes.

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0609/24331.html#ixzz0JxvuNnQi&D

ok the MEME is out there already dinner with Obots was fun I mentioned the 60 vote senate majority that obama should be able to pass a whole host of legislation…

What they said….

“Obama will not be happy with a 60 vote all democrat majority sending him legislation. He will need at least 10 to 15 republicans to sign on so that the spirit of bi-partisanship can be demonstrated clearly to all Americans. He (Obama) will not propose or accept any legislation be sent to his desk that is not bi-partisan in nature.”

God do these guys get there MEME’s by reading us or what?

Gary
What did you say to that lady in the picture I posted up thread? She sure looks like she was listening to you.

WOMEN WITH INTELLIGENCE AND EXPERIENCE , MEN WHO SUPPORT THEM AND COUNTRY BEFORE PARTY ALWAYS

PUMAS,BUBBAS,EQUALISTS AND THOSE PEOPLE RULE

This post at No Quarter was very interesting and I learned a lot

http://www.noquarterusa.net/blog/2009/06/30/government-health-care/

WOMEN WITH INTELLIGENCE AND EXPERIENCE,MEN WHO SUPPORT THEM AND COUNTRY BEFORE PARTY ALWAYS

PUMAS,BUBBAS,EQUALISTS AND THOSE PEOPLE RULE

Gary – The F.U. is strong with that one.

Yes, Hillarycare was so bad that the insurance companies and the corporate Republi-Dems Harry & Louise’d her. Ya know, I think that if it had been so bad for the American people, the insurance companies would have loved it.

But of course, it is an article of faith that Hillary is a horrible, evil monster. Gawd forbid that Michelle should turn out like Hillary!

Actually, I think this is just hilarious. Cinie has a fabulous post about it today. The Boyz are shaking in their shoes because Michelle has stopped playing possum. L. O. Freaking. L.!!!!!

MB, I’m not sure you were back yet when the Ben Smith/Sarah Palin thread went up, but those boys at Politico are seriously fucked up.

Helen, I’m not sure what pic you mean–can you repost? Sorry I’m out of it. I’ve been spending about 12 hours a day since last thursday trying to make our new home habitable.

That list put together by fuzzy of things our Dear Leader with his filibuster proof majority should be able to accomplish is good. Let’s all hold our breath!

OT…….

“Jenny Sanford did not stand by her man.

To those accustomed to watching betrayed first ladies smile stiffly through their husbands’ public confessions, the absence of Gov. Mark Sanford’s wife at the soul-baring news conference where he admitted to an affair with a woman in Argentina was striking.

Instead, she issued a tough-minded statement saying she had thrown her cheating husband out and told him to stop speaking to her while she tries to deal with his infidelity.

That came as no surprise to those who know this independently wealthy, Georgetown-educated, former Wall Street executive. Around South Carolina, Jenny Sanford is regarded as a strong-minded figure, accomplished and politically astute.
(snip)

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/06/26/gov-sanfords-wife-breaks-tradition-standing-man/

Obama and the Dems are bad but the real bat-shit crazies seem to be attracted to the other Party.

“OKLAHOMA CITY — A state lawmaker is urging Oklahomans to sign a morality proclamation “to acknowledge the need for a national awakening of righteousness.”

Rep. Sally Kern, R-Oklahoma City, has called a press conference for noon Thursday on the first floor of the state Capitol to discuss the “Oklahoma Citizen’s Proclamation for Morality,” which may be sent to Gov. Brad Henry, President Barack Obama and the state’s congressional delegation.
(snip)
Kern, who made headlines in 2008 when she said homosexuality is a greater threat to the United States than terrorism,……..

http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?subjectid=298&articleid=20090630_298_0_OKLAHO752721

Gary
You must of talked to her. This is something you would start.
Remember I have children, grand children, and great grand children, you can not fool me.

http://www.maniacworld.com/have-a-nice-day.html

WOMEN WITH INTELLIGENCE AND EXPERIENCE,MEN WHO SUPPORT THEM AND COUNTRY BEFORE PARTY ALWAYS

PUMAS,BUBBAS,EQUALISTS AND THOSE PEOPLE RULE

That picture is hilarious!!

LOL, Helen!!!

Gary, I wasn’t here, but I did catch up afterwards. My gawd. The venom was truly unbelievable…except that I remember when I was posting at Eschaton and I would actually read similar things about Hillary.

Golly gee, wonder why I left?!

SHV – Maybe Jenny Sanford can take over for her husband. From what Molly Pitcher said earlier, the Lt. Governor is even more of a dumb*ss than the Governor.

Latda
If you are still here I found these pictures of New York clouds that you might like.

http://gothamist.com/2009/06/27/mammatus_clouds_forever_more_photos.php?gallery0Pic=2#gallery

WOMEN WITH INTELLIGENCE AND EXPERIENCE,MEN WHO SUPPORT THEM AND COUNTRY BEFORE PARTY ALWAYS

PUMAS,BUBBAS,EQUALISTS AND THOSE PEOPLE RULE

Latida
If you are still here I thought you would like these pictures of clouds over New York.

http://gothamist.com/2009/06/27/mammatus_clouds_forever_more_photos.php?gallery0Pic=2#gallery

WOMEN WITH INTELLIGENCE AND EXPERIENCE,MEN WHO SUPPORT THEM AND COUNTRY BEFORE PARTY ALWAYS

PUMAS,BUBBAS,EQUALISTS AND THOSE PEOPLE RULE

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