All I know, is that when those nutters tried to blow up the parliament, they hanged, drew, and quartered them. 'Nuff said.

And no, I really don't think it is a matter of law. The US government does not have sovereignty outside its own territory or over any citizens other than its own. As far as treaties are concerned-- ok, maybe our bad, maybe not, but in any case it is a diplomatic, not a legal issue.

The reason that "human rights" is so controversial in the "war on terror" is that in this type of war our targets are not enemy bases, supplies or strongpoints-- our most important target is the people themselves. In order to get to people, you have to talk to people-- networking, if you will. When dealing with an uncooperative subject, some persuasion may be required.

The detainees in gitmo are not suspects-- they are assets. You don't try assets in a court of law. You use them until they are dry, and then you get rid of them in the way that will leave the least mess.

I think that one of our biggest problems in the "war on terror" is that our strategy has sort of overwhelmed our tactics. Meaning that in spite of generally sound procedures and some really good work at the low level, there has been something missing at the top.