What the hell???

[Eiru]

http://www.timesdaily.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20040513/APA/405130871

[Allison]

Hmm.. well, first of all, I don't know why it would matter so much who was holding him. Second, I wouldn't be surprised if the family was told it was the U.S. military just so they wouldn't worry so much, or that the person who told them that was just mistaken. But again, I'm not sure that it matters. Surely, the family would be upset that he was detained so long, but did that detention contribute to his death?
I guess if he was planning to leave Iraq, and was delayed by the detention, it would matter more. But I don't know if that's the case.

[Rooster]

What, the pic?

Or... the fact that Berg KNEW what he was getting into going over there.

It's called assumed risk.

Yes, it sucks, but trying to blame the governement is BS.

[Noleader]

What, the pic?

Or... the fact that Berg KNEW what he was getting into going over there.

It's called assumed risk.

Yes, it sucks, but trying to blame the governement is BS.The Government has no right to hold a citizen for more then 48 hours without formally charging them with a crime.

The person responsible should be brought up on charges of kidnapping and wrongful imprisonment.

I do not hold the government responsible for his death, as roo said it is a assumed risk.

[spyder913]

unless they're an enemy combatant! then they can detain them all they want!!

[Kegg OBeer]

The rules change when you leave american soil. Although it may have backfired, it's possible they were detaining him for his own safety. It's even possible that they were trying to protect him and he escaped for whatever reason only to fall into enemy hands. He wouldn't be the first person that thought he knew better...

Without knowing the exact details, it's difficult to blame anyone but the civilian in question. He knew it was a dangerous place to be when he went there.

[Noleader]

Even when you leave the US you are still protected by your rights if you fall into American Government hands... The only time the rules change is when you end up in the handles of a different government, then you are subject to their rules.

[Kegg OBeer]

Yes, but in a hostile environment such as Iraq, the government does have the ability to detain people for their own safety. It's similar to living under martial law. Even on american soil, under martial law, the government has the power to detain anyone for unspecified amounts of time.

[Noleader]

Yes, but in a hostile environment such as Iraq, the government does have the ability to detain people for their own safety. It's similar to living under martial law. Even on american soil, under martial law, the government has the power to detain anyone for unspecified amounts of time.
Yes but congress or the courts could order the pres to release the people. If the president did not follow a court order or a law passed by congress he could find himself up for removal extremely fast.

They have limited (extremely limited) powers to detain americans without due process. This is shown when the family filed suit naming the DoJ and the guy is released the next day.

[Swifty_Johnson]

There is much confusion over Mr. Berg.

The military and Iraqi police are pointing fingers at each other, BUT Mr. Berg did have an Israli stamp on his passport, and everyone who travels in the mideast says that's a no-no in an Arab country. With a name like Berg and an Israli stamp on the passport it is more than likely that he was picked up by Iraqi police.

The 20th Hijacker, Mousai (sp?) used Mr. Berg's email adress, that's why the FBI was so intrested in him. American running around Iraq without escort, his email used by a terrorist, will raise alarm flags.

He was given the option to use a chartered flight out of Iraq to safty. He refused.

While I admire his spirit, he took just to many chances.

Swifty

[Canidae]

First off, if he was under investigation about possibly helping terrorists and was found and detained in Iraq, he isn't protected by normaly every dayd rights. He is then under a different set of "war" rules. Its not the same when its war related. Plain and simple the military/government could detain him as long as they wanted. (Especially since he was suspected of helping the enemy)

He was over there by his own choice. Now, I do greive for his family, Its a horrid way to lose a loved one, but the guy knew the risks going over there. If anyone is to blame its him for going anyways and not leaving when he could.