by Matt Barr

Movie of the week in waiting

Whatever you think of the Hamdan outcome, this is a great story. I hope nobody who supports the administration and the war effort -- which I surely do -- is so strident as to believe there shouldn't be zealous advocacy on behalf of petitioners like Hamdan. There's probably somebody out there comparing Lt. Cmdr. Charles Swift to Bill Keller, but there couldn't be more of a difference.

Lt. Cmdr. Charles Swift -- the Navy lawyer who beat the president of the United States in a pivotal Supreme Court battle over trying alleged terrorists -- figures he'll probably have to find a new job.

Of course, it's always risky to compare your boss to King George III.

Swift made the analogy to the court, saying President Bush had overstepped his authority when he bypassed Congress and set up illegal military tribunals to try Guantanamo detainees such as Swift's alleged al-Qaida client, Salim Ahmed Hamdan.

The justices agreed, ruling 5-3 Thursday in favor of dismantling the current tribunal system....

"He's doing a fantastic job," said Swift's current boss at the Office of Military Commissions (tribunals), Marine Col. Dwight Sullivan.

Sullivan spoke of the crucial importance of the case decided Thursday by the Supreme Court. "It's a fundamental constitutional question about the powers of the president," Sullivan said. Asked about Swift's aggressive legal challenge of the commander in chief, Sullivan saluted Swift's "moral courage."

"He has been absolutely fearless is pursuing his client's interests. And also he has exhibited an extraordinary level of legal skill. His legal strategy has been brilliant.

"We all take an oath to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States and he has certainly done that, literally."

Read the whole thing especially if you're a lawyer, ever been a lawyer, admire lawyers or been moved by the scene in To Kill a Mockingbird where Gregory Peck walks out of the courtroom.

Via How Appealing.

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