I guess all the partying, campaining, and running around the world apologizing has been counter-productive to Obama’s pledge to close the Guantanamo Bay detention facility within one year of him taking office. Signing legislation to close G’itmo was one of his first acts, done on his second day in office. He even said that Americans would be safer when G’itmo was closed
Mr Obama believed Americans will be safer with the prison closed, White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said in his first media briefing.
But, ah, how times change
An Obama administration task force set up to develop a plan for the closure of the U.S. detention facility at Guantánamo Bay will miss its first deadline this week—and put off a key report—amid continued divisions over how to resolve one of the president’s thorniest policy dilemmas.     Â
The task force, set up on Obama’s second day in office, was charged with preparing a report to the president by Tuesday, July 21, outlining a long-term detention plan for detainees captured in counterterrorism operations after Sept. 11. But continued debate within the task force over the legal basis for holding detainees who are not charged with any crimes—and where to house them once they are moved from Guantánamo—has forced the task force to postpone its report by a “few months,” a senior administration official told NEWSWEEK. Â
From what I am hearing, the “few months” might be as long as six. So, it appears as if, going by Obama’s own words, that Obama wants to make Americans less safe. Hoist on his own petard.
And the ACLU is having their Typical Hissy Fit
The following can be attributed to Anthony D. Romero, Executive Director of the American Civil Liberties Union:
“The Obama administration must not slip into the same legal swamp that engulfed the Bush administration with its failed Guantánamo policies. Any effort to revamp the failed Guantánamo military commissions or enact a law to give any president the power to hold individuals indefinitely and without charge or trial is sure to be challenged in court and it will take years before justice is served. The only way to make good on President Obama’s promise to shut down Guantánamo and end the military commissions is to charge and try the detainees in established federal criminal courts. Any effort to do otherwise will doom the Obama administration to lengthy litigation. A promise deferred could soon become a promise broken.”Â
Hmm, no mention from Tony about the ACLU being against moving the G’itmo jihadis to the Florence, Colorado Supermax prison. So far, just like Obama and the rest of the Democrats, they offer no ideas on where exactly to move the jihadis. Just lots of complaints and whines.
Almost no other countries are willing to take any of the detainees. We had to pay Bermuda to take the Uighurs, and keep it secret from the British till it was fait accompli. Pelosi doesn’t want them at Alcatraz. Democrat Governors and Senators have said no way to hosting the detainees in their states. Democrats have even blocked funding for the closure of G’itmo.
So, I guess that Obama wants Americans to be less safe.
