I would say the need for expeditious action arises from the fact of Padilla's citizenship and Amendment VI - Right to speedy trial, confrontation of witnesses. Ratified 12/15/1791, towit:
In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defence.

Posted by: jd watson at November 22, 2005 4:15 PM

Yeah. I don't much admire the way Padilla's case has been handled.

I don't mind the government exersizing somewhat extraordinary powers, via the "Patriot Act", say, to deal with terrorism. However, I also expect that some government agency is without doubt going to abuse those powers. They should be criticized loudly and often when they do. I only wish you could count on the criticism being in good faith.

When are the Confederate POWs going to get their trials?

"when are the Confederate POWs going to get their trials?"

Good question since they were acting legally.

When are the Confederate POWs going to get their trials?

That's a wee bit different. For instance, the Confederacy wasn't exactly a secret plot.

But anyway, if the Gov't's going to treat people like Padilla as foreign combatants it should establish a formalized and predictable method of going about it instead of the ad hoc, case-by-case way we've been going about it.

h:

Knew you'd be pro-Confederate.

Twn:

Why? Plenty of US citizens fought for the Germans in both World Wars and didn't get treated differently than other combatants.

They also put on uniforms, which is a dead giveaway.

You get *more* protections for wearing a uniform, not less.

I'm just pro-constitution. It was Pope Pius IX who was pro-confederacy as shown by this letter written in 1863 to Jefferson Davis.

ILLUSTRIOUS AND HONORABLE PRESIDENT,
salutation:
We have just received with all suitable welcome the persons sent by you to place in our hands your letter, dated 23d of September last. Not slight was the pleasure we experienced when we learned, from those persons and the letter, with what feelings of joy and gratitude you were animated, illustrious and honorable President, as soon as you were informed of our letters to our venerable brother John, Archbishop of New York, and John, Archbishop of New Orleans, dated the 18th of October of last year, and in which we have with all our strength excited and exhorted those venerable brothers that, in their episcopal piety and solicitude, they should endeavor, with the most ardent zeal, and in our name, to bring about the end of the fatal civil war which has broken out in those countries, in order that the American people may obtain peace and concord, and dwell charitably together. It is particularly agreeable to us to see that you, illustrious and honorable President, and your people, are animated with the same desires of peace and tranquility which we have in our letters inculcated upon our venerable brothers. May it please God at the same time to make the other peoples of America and their rulers, reflecting seriously how terrible is civil war, and what calamities it engenders, listen to the inspirations of a calmer spirit, and adopt resolutely the part of peace. As for us, we shall not cease to offer up the most fervent prayers to God Almighty, that He may pour out upon all the people of America the spirit of peace and charity, and that He will stop the great evils which afflict them. We, at the same time, beseech the God of pity to shed abroad upon you the light of His grace, and attach you to us by a perfect friendship.
" Given at Rome, at St. Peter's, the 3d of December, 1863, of our Pontificate 18.
(Signed) ".Plus IX."

Not to mention the Crown of thorns that the Pope gave the imprisoned Jefferson Davis, after the War.

Pro-peace, it's an institutional failing these days.