One small blow for justice - an article worth reading

A good read about an important step toward returning the U.S. to the rule of law: Guantanamo inmates no longer "enemy combatants".

The Obama administration is moving swiftly, more swiftly than on the economy or other issues of social justice, to ensure that the United States is at dismantling the legal and rhetorical nonsense that put its treatment of Guantanamo detainees completely outside the ambit of international law, and in some respects, domestic Constitutional law. This is a positive, commendable development. It is not the end of the Bush era of abuse of citizen and non-citizen rights but it is absolutely a step in the right direction.

If the newly formed White Council on Women and Girls were to take as meaningful a step in improving the treatment of women in this country, it would be a major development. Go here to read the executive order creating the Council.

I have refrained from commenting on the creation of the Council on Women, because, like the Department of Justice, or any other office of the Executive Branch, the Council is positioned to make positive changes. It is also positioned to do nothing. Only time will tell.

Comments

[DYB]

This seems like such an insignificant step to me. It's one of many diversions this administration creates to create the impression as if they were doing something when - in fact - they're not doing anything. Like the fact that Guantanamo is still open, that Obama does not want those wrongfully imprisoned and tortured to be able to sue the government, and that the government is still defending John "Torture Memos" Yoo.

[fsteele]

The Council seems designed to be unable to take any action or make any statement embarrassing to Obama.

It's led, not by feminists, but by cronies of Obama with little or no background working for women's issues.

Its membership (should it ever have any meetings or take any votes) automatically includes all Cabinet members and some department heads -- thus heavily weighted with men, who owe their high salary day jobs to Obama.

It was created all of a piece with these leaders and this membership, with no time for public input -- an Alinsky sort of maneuver.

This seems wrapped up so tightly, with no chinks for outside input -- that it gives the impression Obama must be afraid of something....

[quixote]

Heidi, I know you always take a measured and thoughtful approach, so I'm interested to hear you say that dropping some of the language that aids and abets our crimes of State is a positive move.

Myself, I've been sick that we've been told, in court, that this Administration will continue the crimes themselves.