British House of Lords Rules Against Indefinite Detention

Lord Hofmann: 'It calls into question the very existence of an ancient liberty of which this country is proud: freedom from arbitrary arrest and detention':

"'This is a nation which has been tested in adversity, which has survived physical destruction and catastrophic loss of life. I do not underestimate the ability of fanatical groups to kill or destroy, but they do not threaten the life of the nation,' he said.

'Whether we should survive Hitler hung in the balance, but there is no doubt we shall survive al-Qaida. The Spanish people have not said that what happened in Madrid, hideous crime as it was, threatened the life of the nation. Their legendary pride would not allow it."

Can you imagine any "leader" in Washington saying anything vaguely resembling this?