Closing Guantanamo Begins

[dakota_democrat]

A senior Obama administration official said the president would sign an order Thursday to shutter the Guantanamo prison within one year, fulfilling his campaign promise to close a facility that critics around the world say violates domestic and international detainee rights. The aide spoke on condition of anonymity because the order has not yet been issued.

A draft copy of the order, obtained Wednesday by The Associated Press, notes that "in view of significant concerns raised by these detentions, both within the United States and internationally, prompt and appropriate disposition of the individuals currently detained at Guantanamo and closure of the facility would further the national security and foreign policy interests of the United States and the interests of justice."

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090122/ap_on_go_pr_wh/obama_guantanamo

Within one year...not quite as fast as I'd like to see. But at least it's on the right track.

[madrchsod]

1. they have to be placed into the federal system

that alone will take months. each review will take time,countries that will accept those who are innocent,and those who will be charged a secure federal prison to hold and try them

[Stinger2]

2. Guantanamo Bay prisoners have a right to fair trial

http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/clive-stafford-smith-guantanamo-bay-prisoners-have-a-right-to-fair-trial-567973.html

I really think closing GITMO would be a good sign of fixing
some of the hatred against the USA. 

When are solders are in a war, torture will not be a second
thought after the US has shown disregard for international
law.

[physaf]

3. I just noticed this post and cringed

Things aren't working well

[JoseCanyucee]

4. Actually, they are...

Things aren't working out as planned but there are those of us who weren't pie-eyed when Obama promised to close Gitmo in 1-year. Couldn't tell that to our pie-eyed brethren though... they believed every word our President uttered. Many of us, from all walks of life, knew that it would just be impossible and we knew, from plenty of experience, that there is ALWAYS push-back on major issues. Look at what's happening now in New York... even Bloomberg doesn't want terrorist trials to be held there. It's going to be a huge cost burden and risk to US citizens.

I don't know where people get the idea that closing down Gitmo will have the magical effect of making would-be torturers more polite to our soldiers. Our goal should be to not get caught and to kick the snot out of the enemy in the first place... we're the ones doing most of the capturing, not the enemy, anyways.

I think you're gonna find out that Gitmo is a pretty valuable place. I'm sorry, I mean OBAMA is going to find out that Gitmo had a bigger purpose than just waterboarding 3 major terrorists.