How Is Driving Bin Laden A War Crime?

Among the many oddities of the U.S.'s first war crimes trial since World War II is this: The war crime for which Salim Hamdan was convicted, material support of terrorism, has never before been considered a war crime.

As the nonpartisan Congressional Research Service put it in a report (PDF) last year, "Defining as a war crime the 'material support for terrorism' does not appear to be supported by historical precedent."

Hamdan was not convicted of being involved in any plots against civilians. Rather, he was found to have supported al-Qaida "through his service as a driver." There is little doubt that chauffeuring and occasionally serving as a bodyguard to Osama bin Laden violates criminal law. But "war crimes" are a different matter.

Read the whole story here.

Comments

[thegirlnextdoor]

"There is little doubt that chauffeuring and occasionally serving as a bodyguard to Osama bin Laden violates criminal law."

whose law? where? This guy is not a US citizen and did not live in the US or drive anyone in the US. Criminal law is country specific.

This case just makes the USA look goofy. Goofy and mean.

[Raymondf]

Because he drove the AlQuida leader to stratigic locations to order bombings, and terrorist acts, should have gotten at least 20 years.

[ReasonIsMyReligion]

Material support.

Doesn't that imply lots of money? Lots of materielle? Lots of planning? Something critical and vital to the effort?

Why not throw the book at every farmer who ever grew a rice grain consumed by an Al Qaeda member?

Sheesh.

[ReasonIsMyReligion]

He would have gotten six months, but he was only going 65 and had his seatbelt on.

[fredamae]

Smacks of "Driving Miss Daisy" all over again. Damn drivers, can't trust 'em...Not a single one!

[debrouillard]

"Material support" for being a Chauffeur. Does that mean B u s h's chaffeur,C h i n e y's Chauffeur will be going down as well? Chauffeurs ,you better speak out now.

The entire American population is guilty of "Material support" for the crimes being perpetrated in Iraq. They voted for the regime,their sons and daughters are fighting the war,their taxes are paying for the war.

Are the streets of America going to be empty soon as everyone will be locked up for life?

[6louis9]

Correct me if I am wrong, but we did not treat these prisoners according to the terms of the Geneva Convention because we are not officially at war with these terrorists. However, we are able to convict a chauffer of war crimes, not to mention the rest that will go to trial.

Is this a great country or what?

[ReasonIsMyReligion]

Love the paradox.

[gditty]

Now who's gonna chauffeur Bin Laden to his doctor appointments?

[Kishadawn]

I see a lot of comments saying "no way, he was just a driver". How about the guy who put the tape on the bomb, or knew all of his friends were on their way to bomb people and said nothing.

Unless he's a psychiatrist or an attorney he had a responsibility to say something.

[sociocanuck]

If material support for a war waged on another nation (essentially the new definion of terrorism, except that apparently Americans have a giant get-out-of-Gitmo free card) is a war crime in and of itself, then that opens the door for many many people worldwide to be charged.

Except any Real Americans, of course. It only applies to foreigners and liberals.

[hoopesaz]

It's no more a crime than driving the get-away-car in a bank robery I suppose.

[Liberal2]

So-o-o-o, if Bush is convicted of war crimes, every Secret Service agent who ever guarded him would be guilty of a war crime too? Similar I suppose to a someone holding a gun on the bank employees and customers while another guy empties the tellers' drawers. Interesting logic you use there, hoopidupe.

[111]

It is not a war crime by any stretch of the imagination which is why Hitlers chauffer/s were not brought to trial but this government has already said that every prisoner still alive in Guantanamo will be found guilty. The show trials will be put on and we will be told about the all the 'evidence'.

[Cynth]

All the resources put towards housing and prosecuting the driver. In the meantime, Osama and his deputies roam free...and the administration maintains its decision not to actively pursue them. Heckuva job, Bushie.

[AguynamedWayne]

The man gave aid and assistance to cold blooded murderers. As a New Yorker, I say let him rot.

[debrouillard]

By your logic,every American soldier,down to the privates are all guilty of war crimes for just stepping foot in to Iraq.After all it is now official that,the reason for which they went in to Iraq were all false and manufactured,that is a war crime offence.

The entire US senate and congress are guilty of war crimes as well,they couldnt stop Bush for committing war crimes.

The entire American population are also guilty of war crimes for they let Bush commit war crimes. But I am sure if the last charge was brought on to you,u would argue that,you didnt know Bush's plans.
So now tell me,is a chauffeur supposed to know his employers business? Even though it will make more sense to charge the entire American population for they are the employer and Bush and co are their employees.And employers must know what their employees are up to.

[wndrwrthg]

It is obvious that Bin laden could not have controlled or perpetrated the acts that he did without adequate transportation, and essential to this is of course a driver. Thus, this man is actually the true key component that has allowed terrorism to exist and flourish and justice and the war on terror has been served and advanced by this conviction. People worldwide can breath a sigh of relief now that this evil chauffeur has been brought down. Now to go after the valets.

[Liberal2]

HEYYYYYY, whattabout the goll-dang cooks???? The next time ya see Emeril Lagasse on TV ya better wonder if his recipes are bin Laden's favorites when he feels down.