On this day, let us all be proud of America

Hmmm, the Olivet Discourses, eh?Please, quote me chapter and verse where Jesus says, "Go thee out and kick thee some pagan ass," or words to that effect.

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For we know that our patchwork heritage is a strength, not a weakness. We are a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus -- and non-believers. -- Barack ObamaWe see monsters where science shows us windmills. -- Phat

I daresay that torture runs afoul of that pesky Golden Rule deal, too. Ah well, good thing for warmongering christians that they are apparently relieved from all teachings of Christ if it's governmental policy, according to the words of the prophet Buzsaw. Unless, of course, it's a governmental policy that you disagree with, like for instance giving to the poor. Then it's socialism that will bring our country to its knees.Down the rabbit hole with right wing apologetics.

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For we know that our patchwork heritage is a strength, not a weakness. We are a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus -- and non-believers. -- Barack ObamaWe see monsters where science shows us windmills. -- Phat

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"warmongering Christians", try "ignorant atheists, that see no value in human life". Not only is abortion wrong, it's sick.

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So, apparently having no defense for warmongering christians, you go off on a completely different tangent and bring up a topic, abortion, that has nothing to do with the thread. Swing and a miss on the tu quoque.Please no further abortion talk, ok?

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For we know that our patchwork heritage is a strength, not a weakness. We are a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus -- and non-believers. -- Barack ObamaWe see monsters where science shows us windmills. -- Phat

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Once in government hands IT IS NOT YOUR MONEY - this is the biggest lies of the republican party, and the basis of a lot of false policies from the republicans.

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You can't lay that one solely at the feet of the Repugnantcans. I've heard plenty of left wing nuts complaint that they didn't want their tax money spent on the military. That sort of thing is an equal opportunity fallacy. I'd guess that right wing nuts get more use out of it, but it cuts across lines.

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For we know that our patchwork heritage is a strength, not a weakness. We are a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus -- and non-believers. -- Barack ObamaWe see monsters where science shows us windmills. -- Phat

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In other words, if you are on american soil, you have american rights. It is not just citizens who are protected by the constitution and our laws.

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Well, yes and no.First off, it has nothing to do with the 14th Amendment. That applies only to the states and, as I'm sure you're aware, it's the federal government that runs the military.Second, obviously merely being on American soil doesn't grant one all rights that a citizen has, the right to vote perhaps being first and foremost among the rights that a non-citizen doesn't have.However, the above notwithstanding, you are correct in the sense that being in American jurisdiction does entitle a person to certain protections, regardless of citizenship.Now, exactly how that impacts on the Gitmo detainees is not something that I can speak authoritatively on. SCOTUS has issued a couple of rulings on their status and protections they are entitled to, and there have been several lower court rulings as well, I believe. But it's not something I've followed very closely. As I understand it, they are not POWs and not entitled to POW protection. (This, of course, is a completely different question from whether we should accord them the same basic protections that POWs are entitled to, if for no other reason than we are a civilized nation with respect for basic human rights.)However, merely saying they aren't POWs hardly answers the question of how to treat them. Historically, the US hasn't simply roamed the globe, grabbing people thought to be a threat and held them incommunicado indefinitely. If someone has committed criminal action against the US, we charge and prosecute them, Manuel Noriega for example.In short, you are correct when you point out that just because they are not American citizens, that doesn't mean they have no rights against the US government.

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For we know that our patchwork heritage is a strength, not a weakness. We are a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus -- and non-believers. -- Barack ObamaWe see monsters where science shows us windmills. -- Phat

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The military picks these people up in all manners of situations. When the national security is at stake, suspects must be considered dangerous until cleared. This happens to relative few people, but when they are picked up for Gitmo, be assured there's a reason for concern to America's security.

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The military is under the command of the executive branch of the government and the oversight of Congress. It's worked quite efficiently up until now. Time will tell about the future.

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So you're perfectly comfortable to let the military do anything it wishes, as long as it's under an administration you approve of, but have misgivings when it's an administration you don't trust. Administrations of necessity must come and go, and there are certainly no guarantees that you will trust the next administration. Given these facts, any rational person would want the military fettered by general principals of fairness, justice and concern for human rights that would control it during all administrations. That you apparently think it's fine to trust the military to do what it will says a great deal about your rationality, don't you think?

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For we know that our patchwork heritage is a strength, not a weakness. We are a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus -- and non-believers. -- Barack ObamaWe see monsters where science shows us windmills. -- Phat