Obama signs order to close GITMO--& order against "harsh" interrogation tactics!

[oreo]

Obama signed executive orders today.

GITMO:
1. To close GITMO within a year. Question? Where do these prisoners go?
Some of them cannot go to their own countries as "they" fear certain death.
Other countries do not want them in their country. Fort Levanworth--in Kansas has already stated they don't want them in their back yard. "I believe that if they were put in an American prison, or at Ft. Levanworth with American prisoners--that their life spans would be that of a "nat". So do we put them in 24-7 lockup in isolation within our civilian prisons or at Levanworth? Do we let them run loose on our streets. Do we parachute them into Al Queda terroritory? What's the solution? Your thoughts?

TORTURE:
2. Obama signed another executive order stopping what is referred to as "harsh" interrogation tactics of terrorists? What does this mean? No more waterboarding, no more sleep deprivation, no more reading of Harry Potter books in English to prisoners? I think this is a bad idea. Obviously the master mind of 9/11 was waterboarded & according to Dick Chenney they were able to interrupt other terrorists attacks, other terrorist were caught, etc. etc. I would guess if there is another terrorist attack in this country or other places--& it could be substaniated that the lack of these so-called "harsh" interrogation practices could have stopped innocents from dying that the entire Obama administration would be blamed for the attack.
Your thoughts on this one too?

 

[Life_Long_Dem!]

Obama signs order to close Guantanamo in a year
By BEN FELLER, Associated Press Writer Ben Feller, Associated Press Writer 6 mins ago

WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama began overhauling U.S. treatment of terror suspects Thursday, signing orders to close the Guantanamo Bay detention center, shut down secret overseas CIA prisons, review military war crimes trials and ban the harshest interrogation methods.

With his action, Obama started changing how the United States prosecutes and questions al-Qaida, Taliban or other foreign fighters who pose a threat to Americans — and overhauling America's image abroad, battered by accusations of the use of torture and the indefinite detention of suspects at the Guantanamo prison in Cuba.

"The message that we are sending the world is that the United States intends to prosecute the ongoing struggle against violence and terrorism and we are going to do so vigilantly and we are going to do so effectively and we are going to do so in a manner that is consistent with our values and our ideals," the president said.

The centerpiece order would close the much-maligned Guantanamo facility within a year, a complicated process with many unanswered questions that was nonetheless a key campaign promise of Obama's. The administration already has suspended trials for terrorist suspects at Guantanamo for 120 days pending a review of the military tribunals.

In the other actions, Obama:

_Created a task force to recommend policies on handling terror suspects who are detained in the future. Specifically, the group would look at where those detainees should be housed since Guantanamo is closing.

_Required all U.S. personnel to follow the U.S. Army Field Manual while interrogating detainees. The manual explicitly prohibits threats, coercion, physical abuse and waterboarding, a technique that creates the sensation of drowning and has been termed a form of torture by critics. However, a Capitol Hill aide says that the administration also is planning a study of more aggressive interrogation methods that could be added to the Army manual — which would create a significant loophole to Obama's action Thursday.

"We believe that the Army Field Manual reflects the best judgment of our military, that we can abide by a rule that says we don't torture, but that we can still effectively obtain the intelligence that we need," Obama said. He said his action reflects an understanding that "we are willing to observe core standards of conduct, not just when it's easy, but also when it's hard."

A task force will study whether other interrogation guidelines — beyond what's spelled out in the Army manual — are necessary for intelligence professionals in dealing with terror suspects.

But an Obama administration official said that provision should not be considered a loophole that will allow controversial "enhanced interrogation techniques" to be re-introduced. The official spoke on condition of anonymity to speak candidly about the administration's thinking.

The order also orders the CIA to close all its existing detention facilities abroad for terror suspects — and prohibits those prisons from being used in the future. The agency has used those secret "black site" prisons around the world to question terror suspects.

_Directed the Justice Department to review the case of Qatar native Ali al-Marri, who is the only enemy combatant currently being held on U.S. soil. The directive will ask the high court for a stay in al-Marri's appeals case while the review is ongoing. The government says al-Marri is an al-Qaida sleeper agent.

An estimated 245 men are being held at the U.S. naval base in Cuba, most of whom have been detained for years without being charged with a crime. Among the sticky issues the Obama administration has to resolve are where to put those detainees — whether back in their home countries or at other federal detention centers — and how to prosecute some of them for war crimes.

"We intend to win this fight. We're going to win it on our terms," Obama said as he signed three executive orders and a presidential directive.

The administration official said Obama's government will not transfer detainees to countries that will mistreat them, including their own home country.

In his first Oval Office signing ceremony, Obama was surrounded by retired senior military leaders. He described them as outstanding Americans who have defended the country — and its ideals.


I thought this place was a BAD idea from the start and was against the illegal and immoral tactics used so THANK YOU President Obama for having the balls to stand up and do something about it!

 

[MalibuMan]

whoop!

 

[WillowTree]

Yep. Dr. Gump is preparing a place for the oppressed wittle terrowists. I don't for the life of me know why it will take a yar though!

 

[Truthmatters]

Becuase its a huge legal mess.

BTW the year this is a time table for when it HAS to be finished.

It may not take that long.

also you are aware that many have already been deemed not to be terrorists and released right?

 

[dilloduck]

Becuase its a huge legal mess.

BTW the year this is a time table for when it HAS to be finished.

It may not take that long.

also you are aware that many have already been deemed not to be terrorists and released right?

and you're aware nobody wants em, right ?

 

[WillowTree]

Becuase its a huge legal mess.

BTW the year this is a time table for when it HAS to be finished.

It may not take that long.

also you are aware that many have already been deemed not to be terrorists and released right?

none of them are terrorists,, We Americans are the terrorists,, don't ferget yer talking points sis. stay on yer game.

 

[rayboyusmc]

none of them are terrorists,, We Americans are the terrorists,,

What a cop out. No one said none of them are terrorists. You have a problem dealing with reality?

Funny thing, however, that so many have already been released with no charges against them.

If China locked you up for 5 years, tortured you and then released you, I guess that would be okay?

 

[WillowTree]

What a cop out. No one said none of them are terrorists. You have a problem dealing with reality?

Funny thing, however, that so many have already been released with no charges against them.

If China locked you up for 5 years, tortured you and then released you, I guess that would be okay?

some of you have, some have said there is no war on terror,, the evil US breeds terrorism it's all our fault.. now don't forget what you've been spoon fed for so long. it's still cool to be anti american isn't it?

 

[KMAN]

Obama signs order to close Guantanamo in a year
By BEN FELLER, Associated Press Writer Ben Feller, Associated Press Writer 6 mins ago

WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama began overhauling U.S. treatment of terror suspects Thursday, signing orders to close the Guantanamo Bay detention center, shut down secret overseas CIA prisons, review military war crimes trials and ban the harshest interrogation methods.

With his action, Obama started changing how the United States prosecutes and questions al-Qaida, Taliban or other foreign fighters who pose a threat to Americans — and overhauling America's image abroad, battered by accusations of the use of torture and the indefinite detention of suspects at the Guantanamo prison in Cuba.

"The message that we are sending the world is that the United States intends to prosecute the ongoing struggle against violence and terrorism and we are going to do so vigilantly and we are going to do so effectively and we are going to do so in a manner that is consistent with our values and our ideals," the president said.

The centerpiece order would close the much-maligned Guantanamo facility within a year, a complicated process with many unanswered questions that was nonetheless a key campaign promise of Obama's. The administration already has suspended trials for terrorist suspects at Guantanamo for 120 days pending a review of the military tribunals.

In the other actions, Obama:

_Created a task force to recommend policies on handling terror suspects who are detained in the future. Specifically, the group would look at where those detainees should be housed since Guantanamo is closing.

_Required all U.S. personnel to follow the U.S. Army Field Manual while interrogating detainees. The manual explicitly prohibits threats, coercion, physical abuse and waterboarding, a technique that creates the sensation of drowning and has been termed a form of torture by critics. However, a Capitol Hill aide says that the administration also is planning a study of more aggressive interrogation methods that could be added to the Army manual — which would create a significant loophole to Obama's action Thursday.

"We believe that the Army Field Manual reflects the best judgment of our military, that we can abide by a rule that says we don't torture, but that we can still effectively obtain the intelligence that we need," Obama said. He said his action reflects an understanding that "we are willing to observe core standards of conduct, not just when it's easy, but also when it's hard."

A task force will study whether other interrogation guidelines — beyond what's spelled out in the Army manual — are necessary for intelligence professionals in dealing with terror suspects.

But an Obama administration official said that provision should not be considered a loophole that will allow controversial "enhanced interrogation techniques" to be re-introduced. The official spoke on condition of anonymity to speak candidly about the administration's thinking.

The order also orders the CIA to close all its existing detention facilities abroad for terror suspects — and prohibits those prisons from being used in the future. The agency has used those secret "black site" prisons around the world to question terror suspects.

_Directed the Justice Department to review the case of Qatar native Ali al-Marri, who is the only enemy combatant currently being held on U.S. soil. The directive will ask the high court for a stay in al-Marri's appeals case while the review is ongoing. The government says al-Marri is an al-Qaida sleeper agent.

An estimated 245 men are being held at the U.S. naval base in Cuba, most of whom have been detained for years without being charged with a crime. Among the sticky issues the Obama administration has to resolve are where to put those detainees — whether back in their home countries or at other federal detention centers — and how to prosecute some of them for war crimes.

"We intend to win this fight. We're going to win it on our terms," Obama said as he signed three executive orders and a presidential directive.

The administration official said Obama's government will not transfer detainees to countries that will mistreat them, including their own home country.

In his first Oval Office signing ceremony, Obama was surrounded by retired senior military leaders. He described them as outstanding Americans who have defended the country — and its ideals.


I thought this place was a BAD idea from the start and was against the illegal and immoral tactics used so THANK YOU President Obama for having the balls to stand up and do something about it!

Life Long Dem - Should the prisoners in Gitmo be given citizen status here in the states? Where should they go?

Thanks.

 

[Truthmatters]

none of them are terrorists,, We Americans are the terrorists,, don't ferget yer talking points sis. stay on yer game.

Do you have any idea how stupid this kind of shit makes you sound?

Why dont you just tattoo "idiotic partisan" on your forehead.

 

[KMAN]

What a cop out. No one said none of them are terrorists. You have a problem dealing with reality?

Funny thing, however, that so many have already been released with no charges against them.

If China locked you up for 5 years, tortured you and then released you, I guess that would be okay?

Yet some are released and join right back up to kill us...

 

[WillowTree]

Do you have any idea how stupid this kind of shit makes you sound?

Why dont you just tattoo "idiotic partisan" on your forehead.

I'm glad you recognize it as stupid, too bad you didn't when you were the parrott.

 

[Truthmatters]

Life Long Dem - Should the prisoners in Gitmo be given citizen status here in the states? Where should they go?

Thanks.

How about trying them fairly and then giving them sentances or freeing them if they are found innocent.

I think we can do that here in the US dont you?

 

[Truthmatters]

I'm glad you recognize it as stupid, too bad you didn't when you were the parrott.

only in your mind you zombie

 

[WillowTree]

How about trying them fairly and then giving them sentances or freeing them if they are found innocent.

I think we can do that here in the US dont you?

who gathered the evidence? doyathink?

 

[WillowTree]

only in your mind you zombie

ohhhh stop you hurt my wittle feewings

 

[sitarro]

Put them in the general population at some real prisons, they can find out what the real meaning of torture is. Gitmo has been a resort compared to any other prison.

 

[Truthmatters]

The same people who then tortured them and made some of them impossible to leagaly try.


Thats for that one BTW.

 

[WillowTree]

only a moronic liberal would think that on the battlefield the soldiers are gonna stop and collect shell casings and do forensics..