Bring our pilots home!

[Viking]

Like this guy:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/07/20/AR2006072002007.html

[Thrawn]

Originally posted by Slash27
Like who?

The Gitmo dudes and for alot longer than two years.

[Maverick]

There is no reason to bring those 2 pilots back to the States right now. The investigation is not finished. Under the same circumstances, had it happened in the US the forign pilots would be held in country until they were formally charged or cleared in the investigation. It's pretty obvious to anyone looking at it that the pilots in either circumstance would be considered a flight risk and extradition would be a drawn out, if at all possible, process.

At this time the pilots are not being held in a prison or jail but are staying in a hotel. Their restrictions are very very minor and some of them are self imposed.

[Captain Virgil Hilts]

Originally posted by Thrawn
The Gitmo dudes and for alot longer than two years.

Apples and oranges, and you know it.

Gitmo detainees: captured on the field of battle while not wearing the uniform of a legal combatant.

Pilots in brazil: surviving parties of an accident under investigation.

[Viking]

Originally posted by Captain Virgil Hilts
Gitmo detainees: captured on the field of battle while not wearing the uniform of a legal combatant.

I'm afraid that is only a half-truth. Several Guantanamo prisoners have not been "captured on the field of battle", like Former Guantanamo Bay detainee Moazzam Begg who was arrested in Pakistan by Pakistani police, handed over to US "authorities", beaten and psychologically tortured in prison camps in Afghanistan and kept in isolation for nearly two years at Guantanamo Bay. He was never charged of a crime.

[Enduro]

Originally posted by Captain Virgil Hilts
Apples and oranges, and you know it.

Gitmo detainees: captured on the field of battle while not wearing the uniform of a legal combatant.

Pilots in brazil: surviving parties of an accident under investigation.

Exactly.  I can't believe you other guys are trying to compare this situation to Gitmo.  

Brazil's ridiculous investigation could take 2 years or more.  Overwhelming evidence that exonerates these American pilots is now available.  It's time to send the American pilots home.

If the tables were turned around--Brazilian pilots involved in an American accident--and information was found that exonerates them, I'd be all for releasing the Brazilian pilots, as well.  (whatever, Fishu!   )

I'm not happy with the Bush Administration's policies, either.  If you don't like the way he's handling things, go ***** about it on another thread, not this one.

[Enduro]

Originally posted by Maverick
At this time the pilots are not being held in a prison or jail but are staying in a hotel. Their restrictions are very very minor and some of them are self imposed.

You speak as if there are only 2 people affected by this entire situation.  Think of the pilots' families.  The pilots won't exactly be holding down jobs in Brazil to earn an income, Maverick.

The effects of this now unnecessary confinement go way beyond the walls of the hotel room.

[Viking]

It is not unnecessary. It is correct legal procedure and common practice. They were involved in a serious accident and are under criminal investigation. If you can't accept that then that's just too bad.

[Enduro]

Originally posted by Viking
It is not unnecessary. It is correct legal procedure and common practice. They were involved in a serious accident and are under criminal investigation. If you can't accept that then that's just too bad.

The perpetrators in this "criminal" investigation, as you called it, are sitting in Brazil's military-run control centers, Viking.  They are the ones that screwed up.

[Viking]

Perhaps, but until the justice system makes a ruling every single suspect is still a suspect. Why is this so hard to understand? I'm sure the pilots understand this perfectly.

[Fishu]

US is very uncooperative when it comes to handing over criminals to other countries. All the while US insist other countries to instantly hand over accused criminals. This kind of policy causes other countries to hold possible criminals within their country for lesser reasons until an investigation has found the suspects to be clear. There's no guarantee of US returning the people back to a country where they commited a crime.

[Captain Virgil Hilts]

Enduro, you need to relax. There is nothing untoward about the pilots remaining in Brazil. If they end up in a kangaroo court and get some sort of bogus conviction and sentence, then it is time to get upset. Right now the thing to do is remain calm and watch closely and carefully.

[straffo]

Savage your post is so  ... so ... right I must agree with you.

[Yeager]

Brazil has some damned fine looking babes.  Those two pilots are being well cared for I am sure.  Let the Brazilian justice system run its course.

[Thrawn]

Originally posted by Captain Virgil Hilts
Gitmo detainees: captured on the field of battle while not wearing the uniform of a legal combatant.

Not necessarily.