October 20, 2006

Guantánamo

Sometimes we don't appreciate what we've got until we've lost it. That's certainly the case with constitutional protections recently wiped out by the Military Commissions Act. And it wouldn't be surprising if the loss didn't really sink in until some indeterminate future circumstance resulted in egregious executive actions affecting large numbers of innocent citizens. But don't give up yet! Col. Will Gunn, USAF (Ret.) was on the front lines early on in this constitutional fight, in charge of setting up the first defense teams of military lawyers for Guantanamo detainees. That Col. Gunn knew what he was doing is clear—Gunn, for example, hired and supervised Lt. Cmdr. Charles Swift, the lawyer who took the Hamdan case to the Supreme Court, and won, thereby forcing the administration's MCA counterattack. Col. Gunn, a true gentleman and patriot, believes the Constitution will be restored, almost as good as new, once the Court has a further chance to review the issues. His modest and disarming manner is, I think, a bit too easily (mis)underestimated. He's tough, not easily moved: I take his judgment seriously indeed. And I thank him for his kindness in talking with me. Total runtime of about fifty five minutes. Please distribute widely.