LAT: Close Guantanamo

In an editorial today, the LAT argues for closing Guantanamo, but its logic is hard to follow. First, the LAT argues that Guantanamo should be closed because indefinite detentions are wrong. It's not where detainees are held that matters but how long, so Guantanamo should be closed.

Next, the LAT argues that the problem is that detainees don't have habeas corpus rights. But even if they did, the LAT argues, "reflexive distrust of historic protections" would continue to "erode America's international standing." So, it's not so much a habeas corpus problem as it is a distrust problem. Some foreigners don't trust America so Guantanamo should be closed.

Finally, the LAT argues that "terrorist suspects," even high value ones, should be tried in ordinary federal courts. From this it follows that in WWII, Japanese and German prisoners of war should have been tried in federal district court, charged with ... what? Therefore, Guantanamo should be closed.