Why Do The Republicans Keep Blocking The Closure of Guantanamo?
CaptainPicard
2011/12/24 03:32:42
Today President Obama signed the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2012. The bill contains a provision added by Republicans which prohibits the use of any Federal funds to transfer Guantanamo prisoners either to the United States or in some circumstances to foreign countries. On January 22, 2009, President Obama fulfilled one of his campaign promises when he signed an Executive Order directing the closure of the Guantanamo prison facility. Since then the Republicans have blocked every attempt to fund the process of closing it. At the same time, the conservatives have consistently claimed that the President failed, or some even call it lied, about his promise to close the base.
In his signing statement, the President said in part:
In this bill, the Congress has once again included provisions that would bar the use of appropriated funds for transfers of Guantanamo detainees into the United States (section 8119 of Division A), as well as transfers to the custody or effective control of foreign countries unless specified conditions are met (section 8120 of Division A). These provisions are similar to others found in the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012. My Administration has repeatedly communicated my objections to these provisions, including my view that they could, under certain circumstances, violate constitutional separation of powers principles. In approving this bill, I reiterate the objections my Administration has raised regarding these provisions, my intent to interpret and apply them in a manner that avoids constitutional conflicts, and the promise that my Administration will continue to work towards their repeal.
In his signing statement, the President said in part:
In this bill, the Congress has once again included provisions that would bar the use of appropriated funds for transfers of Guantanamo detainees into the United States (section 8119 of Division A), as well as transfers to the custody or effective control of foreign countries unless specified conditions are met (section 8120 of Division A). These provisions are similar to others found in the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012. My Administration has repeatedly communicated my objections to these provisions, including my view that they could, under certain circumstances, violate constitutional separation of powers principles. In approving this bill, I reiterate the objections my Administration has raised regarding these provisions, my intent to interpret and apply them in a manner that avoids constitutional conflicts, and the promise that my Administration will continue to work towards their repeal.
Read More: http://www.politicususa.com/en/obama-ndaa-signing-...
If you don't think Gitmo should be closed you're entitled to your opinion. I just think the conservatives should be honest about it.
For another thing, a prison is a prison. The necessity and the mechanics of imprisoning someone are no different regardless of what crime they're accused of.
And if that's the line you want to draw, then why didn't they send the underwear bomber, the Times Square bomber, the guy who tried to blow up the Tides Foundation, Jared Loughner, Scott Roeder, James van Brunn and others who have committed acts of terrorism to Guantanamo? Is bin Laden's driver really that much more of a threat than Jared Loughner?
Second, war criminals are not criminals as the left classifies them.
Acts committed on US soil are handled differently.
And besides, why wouldn't they at least want the ones who can be shipped to other countries to be moved out. It would lower the cost of maintaining the facility, and Republicans love to cut spending, don't they?