Via TalkLeft: why am I not surprised at the news that Rumsfeld is going hold the Gitmo guys indefinitely without trial?

Rumsfeld said the 660 or so men held at the Guantanamo Bay naval base are imprisoned not as punishment but "to keep them from going back and fighting again and killing people." He said most would be held until the global war on terrorism is over - a fight that Rumsfeld has said could last years, if not decades.

The defense secretary said he expects some suspects to be tried before military tribunals but prefers that most continue to be imprisoned indefinitely.

"Our interest is in not trying them and letting them out," he said in a question-and-answer session after a speech to the National Press Club. "Our interest is in - during this global war on terror - keeping them off the streets, and so that's what's taking place."

Off the streets... and out of their homes. In their own countries. Which isn't America, or Cuba. Sure, it's a good idea to not let terrorists free, but there's one slight problem with that... Rumsfeld doesn't want to prove they're terrorists.

Nice to see that the tactics of some South Americans in the late 20th century are turning into the tactics of some North Americans in the early 21st century.