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Click HERE to subscribe to the Friday Report June 13, 2008ArchivesDownloadsAmerican Legion to Supreme Court:Terrorists Ruling endangers U.S. militaryINDIANAPOLIS (June 12, 2008) – The nation’s leading veterans organization reacted to today’s Supreme Court ruling that foreign terrorist have U.S. constitutional rights. The ruling came as the result of a challenge by detainees at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, who want hearings in U.S. civilian courts. “To suggest that foreign terrorists, who have never set foot in this country and respect no civilized laws should enjoy the same rights under our Constitution as U.S. citizens,” American Legion National Commander Marty Conatser said of today’s 5-4 ruling, “must make America’s founding fathers turn over in their graves.” Conatser pointed out that The American Legion has sent delegations to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. “Two American Legion past national commanders have visited Camp Delta. They found that the detainees were humanely treated, well-fed and provided with medical care that surpasses what many veterans receive. We currently have a distinguished Legionnaire viewing hearings down at Guantanamo. As the deputy commanding general of Guantanamo told our Washington Legislative Conference, if the situation were reversed these terrorists would define mercy as a knife blade on the back of the neck instead of the front.” Chief Justice John Roberts dissented from the ruling. He wrote that the United States enacted “the most generous set of procedural protections ever afforded aliens detained by this country as enemy combatants.” Justice Antonin Scalia joined the dissent, writing that the majority’s decision “will make the war harder on us. It will almost certainly cause more Americans to be killed.” “The Supreme Court has made its ruling,” Conatser said. “It seems that terrorists taken on foreign battlefields will now be entitled to lawyers at taxpayers’ expense and all the other rights that American citizens enjoy. It would have been wonderful if the terrorists had treated Matt Maupin, the U.S. soldier captured and brutally murdered in Iraq, with the same respect. In fact, one of the men on trial, Kahlid Sheikh Mohammed is not only the alleged mastermind of 9/11 but is widely believed to have personally beheaded journalist Daniel Pearl.” Conatser said that The American Legion will look at various ways to protect America within the confines of the latest Supreme Court decision. With a current membership of 2.7-million wartime veterans, The American Legion, www.legion.org, was founded in 1919 on the four pillars of a strong national security, veterans affairs, Americanism, and patriotic youth programs. Legionnaires work for the betterment of their communities through more than 14,000 posts across the nation. Media contacts: Ramona Joyce, (202) 263-2982; Cell, (202) 445-1161; Joe March, (317) 630-1253; or John Raughter (317) 630- 1350. This text and a high-resolution photo of Cmdr. Conatser can be downloaded at www.legion.org. 2008 Legacy Run 4th ArticleIt’s only two and half months before the American Legion Legacy Scholarship Run. As of last count there are 212 Motorcycles registered with 51 passengers. Out of this 125 have committed to make the complete ride of 1,800 miles. Additionally there, are also some 55 supporters who have registered but who are unable to ride. They’ll get the full package and patch set. National Commander Marty Conatser will issue a special certificate of recognition to any post or chapter with 100 percent registrations to support the Legacy Run. The American Legion’s National Committee on Education (NCOE) met May 3-4, 2008 at the Sheraton Indianapolis City Center. At the meeting, the committee awarded eleven American Legion Legacy Scholarships in the amount of $3,270. With the $35,970 awarded in 2008, The American Legion Legacy Scholarship has now distributed nearly $110,000 in scholarship aid to students from Alabama, California, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Kansas, Maryland, Michigan, North Carolina, Ohio, Tennessee, Texas, Washington and West Virginia. As I’ve mentioned before there are many ways to raise money; at Post 356 in Lynn Haven we have one meal a month dedicated for the Legacy Run along with cooking for our Annual Charity Run this month. In addition You can make a tremendous difference by holding dedicated “American Legacy” rides, drives, and charity runs this spring and summer in your own community, and forwarding the proceeds Department of Florida. All money raised can either be sent directly to Diane Shipley at Department of Florida or you can Pony Express your donations to Department Convention in July. Remember Florida Raised over $20,000.00 last year, we need to at least match this number or better yet exceed it. If you questions concerning this years run please feel free to contact me. Mike Kirchoff
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