Notebook: Closing Gitmo

[hookalakah]

"Indeed, the failed effort to close Guantanamo was reflective of the aspects of Obama’s leadership style that continue to distress his liberal base — a willingness to allow room for compromise and a passivity that at times permits opponents to set the agenda." --Washington Post, April 23, 2011

[hookalakah]

"The Obama administration reversed itself and moved to begin military trials for Guantanamo detainees." --news headline, March 7, 2011

[robaugher]

if obama shuts down Gitmo...the USA security status will drop significantly and will open america to more attacks and will look at Obama as probably the dumbest president ever....if they do they should at least open Alcatraz or something back up...if we capture Osama bin Laden and they don't want to keep him in Afghan where are they going to take him? I think it's a huge security risk...

[sixletter]

Obama did sign a memo ordering that Gitmo be closed . . .within 120 days! Nothing has happened yet, OBAMA HAS NOT RELEASED ANYONE FROM GITMO AT THIS TIME. They are trying to figure out what to do with these people once they close Gitmo that way they don't have to worry about stuff like this. You DID see an article in the NY Times about someone being released and then going back to terrorism .

[ugha323a]

More of the ANTI CHRIST destroying AMERICA.

Good going HUSSEIN.. tell us NOW you dumbasses, AFTER we get it again just WHY THE FK YOU LIKED THIS BASTARD.

[signalssignalssignal]

I would rather see a terrorist choke on a little water than America or anyone else swallow a big nuclear turd.

[hemi02177]

with obama signing executive order to close gitmo. one terrorist operative is now a possible top al-qeada operative. well I say thank god for amendment 2 first motherfucking that tries something I'am shooting the fucker

[victor256in]

i like obama and I'm happy that he's president. but this closing GITMO is a BS idea. equal rights to non state terrorists whos only agenda is to kill. impale the bastards in GBAY before closing them.

[Bonecrkr]

Lol....Obama probably knows every inmate in Gitmo on a first name basis......they all trained together.

[Spectre16Spooky4]

Keep GITMO open...he's already making me mad.

[razorx71]

We're supposed to be spreading democracy and freedom. How can we be taken seriously when we won't give our enemies the same rights? Close it down, bring them to the US, and try them in a military setting. All men are created equal, except those who worship a different god, and those who don't like you, right?. This is very dangerous to pick and choose who gets rights. Next thing you know you don't deserve rights because you didn't vote for the current administration. Screw big government.

[Bonecrkr]

When it comes to war, the only concern is winning. Because the loser is exterminated. You may disagree but the punishment for that is death at the hands of enemies with no mercy, and no interest whatsoever in the ideals you think are important.

Every civilization that thought the way you do suffered the same fate....they were wiped from the face of the earth by barbarians.

[gismotech]

Dumbass liberals never ever learn that lesson until its too late

[ojmardueno]

That is why most countries signed the Geneva Convention, right after WW2, so that there are rules even in war. That is why countries and their politicians can now be tried as war criminals when they break those rules.

The U.S. was one of the countries that pushed for all the countries to sign the Geneva Convention.

Terrorists are not backed by any country, so they are tried as regular criminals. You want to take on the terrorists by yourself, go ahead, but don't involve the U.S. military.

[gismotech]

and what countries have we fought that followed the Geneva Conventions? and dumbass they were signed in 1929

and the terrorists can be tried by U.S Military as they did after WWII.

it just shows how little you know

[ojmardueno]

The Geneva Convention Treaties have existed since 1864, the last one being in 1949, after WW2.

I chose to reference the latter because it encompasses all of the previous treaties and any revisions done to it.

There have been a number of countries that have broken those rules including our own. Of those, some have been prosecuted some have not. Most countries do follow those rules, even if you don't believe me.

But hey, what do I know.

[gismotech]

most countries do follow the those rules? are you nuts none of the countries that the USA been to war with followed the rules none. not germany, japan, korea, vietnam, or china, and niether will the islamic terrorist.

[ojmardueno]

Show me proof.

I want to know where you are getting this information, seriously, I would like to know.

Give me the website that you are getting this information from, the tv channel or radio station you heard this from, or the books or any other kind of literature you are referencing this info from.

[gismotech]

Have you not read a history Book, Germany, shot prisoners for escaping Japan worked pows to death, North Korea, China tortured and killed many Pows. North Vietnam tortured and killed Pows these are facts,

as for Islamic terrorist give me a break they have tortured and killed anyone they have taken including Clivilians.

and you want to dispute any of that.

[ojmardueno]

I never disputed that those countries did commit war crimes, but in your words,

"none of the countries that the USA been to war with followed the rules".

to say none followed the rules is a false statement.

Most of those countries do follow the Geneva Convention Treaties, even though they do, from time to time, break them.

Even our own country has been found guilty of war crimes in different wars. Does that mean that the U.S. never followed the Treaties? No. Of course they follow them.

[gismotech]

you are wrong most of those countries Ignore geneva Convention Treaties, while for the most part the US has treated POW far far better than our forces have been treated. They are not starved They are not worked to death, They are not beaten to death as a rule. some abuse has occured such as Iraq, and the guards held to account. That does not happen in any other country.

[gismotech]

And how many North Vietnamise were tried as war criminals for the brutal treatment of American POW's? Zero How many did the UN attemp to try as war criminals? Zero

your the problem with liberals

you are blind and stupid

[razorx71]

lol really? cite some examples. Not everyone in Gitmo was shooting at Americans. Like the canadian boy who was just some guy's room mate, never did anything illegal yet is held for 5 years? There is a difference between liberals and people who just have common sense. U.S. citizens didn't stand up for these people then guess what? Next thing we hear about is the whole country is being wire tapped without warrants. Search NSA has massive database of Americans' phone calls. Soviet Russia anyone?

[hemi02177]

what?you mean the national softball assiociation

[majestic1070]

I can't believe how many ignorant people are out there. How can america call itself america If there holding detainees who haven't even been to trial yet, but our being water boarded and tortured to give out information. I think Obama made the right decision by closing gitmo because america was not founded on torturing and not having a fair trial.

[SteelerJeff2009]

Were you born stupid or did you have to work at it? What exact fate are the Jews facing? Your make believe rapture?

[gismotech]

Lets see FDR locked up 100,000 Japanese Americans without charges or trial, Wilson locked up 50,000 Americans for speaking against WWI, and you think thats the same as locking up 250 terrorist caught on the battle field the same?

go back to school and get your money back you were cheated.

[gismotech]

maybe you should get a education fool the only facist government in the usa was run by democrat WILSON who locked up 50,000 americans for speaking out against WWI YOU FUCKING FOOL

[h0peandchange]

Where's he going to put these people, many of whom are known killers and terrorists? I know I'd like to see them put in general population at a maximum security prison, preferably in a nice, red state. Since we're going to treat them the same as we do a citizen of this country, let's go all the way.

[DbzFanAlways]

Close gitmo and set all the prisoners free, because 911 was an inside job.

[Spectre16Spooky4]

Only a moron would think that.

[billionaireby16]

Good shit KID!!!

Give em' Hell O!!!

[redwhiteandblues]

My prediction and this is what happened in past with the liberals in charge. Clinton like Obama is dismantling the US security system - this is done again for so called good intentions to fund more gov social programs instead of protecting the US. Trust me as OBAMA like Clinton dismantles our security system we will be HIT - this will happen, the terrorist call US "Stupid Americans" - and as an American guess what I agree.

So hang on we have not been hit in 8 years it is coming.

[tornsaq]

redwhiteandblues: I hope you are the first one to die in a terrorist attack.

[gjsterp]

Two thumbs up!! Way UP!!!

Mr. President Obama delivers as expected.

[MissingGWdotcom]

So what are we now going to have now two sets of rights under the USA Justice system?

Some of the top AQ leaders in Gitmo were water boarded which is illegal under USA law. If these guys up for trial under USA law they will walk.

I bet few of these guys were read their memoranda rights and come up with a host of other reasons why their rights have been violated.

Most of these guys are going to go home where they will end up killing more Americans.

Shame on Obama.

[lifeline52002]

Gee , we are at War, but then a Libs, bleeding Heart like you my have forgot, that in War, you do pick up guys on the

battle field and hold them till the war is over. But than mybe back in WW2 you

would had us put the Germans and the

Japs on trial than either fine them guilty

or send them back so they could fight us

againe.

Plus some of these guys want to kill us and all you can say they have rights, well

they do, the Rights they have is either

lock up or Dead.

[NakedLadyMudFlap]

Bill Clinton allowed rendition when he was the President...let's try him too. BTW...Bush didn't kill hundreds of thousands of people in Iraq...that's just typical leftwing hateful alligations...thats what people like you have reduced political discourse to in this country. Trying Bush for War Crimes would be the absolute worst thing you could do for this country. Bush is gone now...find someone else to Hate...it's apparently what you do best.

[lifeline52002]

Your one Sick person that need to fine were your brains mybe at, try looking in the shit hole after you shit , you my fine them as they your brains seem to be in your Hate Full Asshole. Oh yes Terrorist is not protected by the Geneva Conventions either.

[NakedLadyMudFlap]

The Geneva Convention only addresses uniformed soldiers in service of a nation. There are no provisions addressing terrorism...except that it may allow for the execution of enemies captured out of uniform.

[leftwingwacko]

Someone give Obama a piece of burnt steel from the World Trade Center. Either he has forgotten 911 or does not care. I hope It will not take another attack on USA soil for Obama to realize we are at War with Al Qaeda. I do not recall them saying they want Peace.

[GeorgeGilbertMagic]

those polls are bullshit....

[NakedLadyMudFlap]

FDR imprisoned more than 100,000 Japanese Americans without charges or trial...American air bombed civilians "intentionally" all over the place...American soldiers roughly interogated prisoners and even shot some without trial...400,000 Germans were interred inside the US without trail...all on FDR's watch. There are 250 prisoners at Gitmo...most were captured on the battlefield. So how does Bush's "mess" compare with what FDR did? It doesn't...it is very minor by comparison.

[bragiborga]

People elected a black men because INSIDE their non-sense EMOTIONAL belief system, a black president who SEEMS intelligent = Compassion... Obama will bring something dim, but not black. Youll see what fascism feels like as it goes through your body, as it enslaves your mind, and the only part inside you that wants to feel trully fulfilled. Starting with the National Service... Stupid brainwashed americans! I will enjoy the scenario. Game Over!

[teddyhcraig]

If just one of those man, that he causes to be released on the general public, is a part of a terrorist attack; then, he (Obama) will be the one who deserves the blame. And we will hear a great many people refer to him as a criminal, if that happens, because he was the one who enabled it to take place; and, then comes the blowback!

I wouldn't want to be him, or related to him in any way, if and when that happens!

Psalm 17:8-15. The wicked is a weapon, God uses, to punish workers of iniquity.

[NakedLadyMudFlap]

Slightly more than 10% of the ones that were released by the Bush Admin have been killed or captured back on the battlefield...and that's just the ones killed or captured. We have tried to send others back to their country of origin and they won't take em...and a few have asked not to be released. What happens when a Judge orders one of them released and nobody will allow them entry...do they get released into this country?

[teddyhcraig]

Releasing them here on US soil would certainly make it a lot easier for them to commit terrorist acts, were they inclined to do so, so I just hope that the people in Washington D.C. are not that incompetent; that they are wise enough not to do that. Let Europe have them.

[NewsAndEvents4You]

i say send them to the general prison population.. let them rot and then die there.

[NakedLadyMudFlap]

They would probably get Killed in a general prison population...they would last maybe a month at Pelican Bay.

[ojmardueno]

It's about time they close it.

[arequipa1]

i guess you want all the inmates to go frolicking about and planting bombs all over america, don't you.

[ojmardueno]

They are not releasing the prisoners, they are just transferring them to jails in the U.S.

It is against the law to use torture as an interrogation tool for prisoners here in the U.S., since our politicians couldn't get the law changed, they decided to circumvent it by putting a prison on land that technically is not considered U.S. territory.

If we torture anybody, even if they were a part of 9/11, we become worse then they are.

Is that what you want?

[arequipa1]

lol@the idea of us being "worse than they are." are you really that embarrassed and ashamed of your country? if so, feel free to move elsewhere.

[ojmardueno]

Actually I am proud to be an american.

I'm ashamed at the people that voted for bush, twice.

On September 11, about 3000 innocent people lost their lives because of terrorism. Since we've invaded Iraq, hundreds of thousands of innocent people have lost their lives.

So yes, we are worse than they are.

[NakedLadyMudFlap]

I'm ashamed of politically jaded Americans that judge people by what party they favor or who they voted for. Their point of view is so shallow that their opinion is basically useless.

[ojmardueno]

If my point of view is so shallow that my opinion is basically useless, then why did you have the need to reply to my comment?

must of stung a little, huh? hehe

[gismotech]

no it just shows how stupid you are

[ojmardueno]

You know what I love about America? The people that defend Bush, or the people that defend any wrongdoing, keep showing me why they are not fit to make any decisions.

You write a simple sentence like, "no it just shows how stupid you are", and you can't even take the time to check your grammar. Is it that hard?

[lifeline52002]

Tell you want since we should not get

any information out of them if they know

were an attack my be about ready to go

off at, I hope that you will be their so you

can get Blowen Up, or mybe you would love to lose one of your Love one like

what happen on 9/11/01. What is it with you Bleeding Heart Libs

you would better see another attact happen on Americans , so Terrorist can

not suffer torture, well Keeping them up

72 hours is not all that long, and to me

is not torture.

[ojmardueno]

I don't have a problem with keeping a suspected terrorist longer than 72 hours, there are ways to do it legally, you know.

But there are accounts of torturing and abusing the prisoners to get info from them, which is against the Geneva convention, and it's also against the law here in the U.S.

I'm neither liberal nor conservative. You must be republican if your using "Bleeding Heart Libs" to try to insult someone.

btw, it's embarrassing to see an american that can't even spell.

[gismotech]

sure your not a liberal ONLY IN YOUR LOST LITTLE MIND

[ojmardueno]

Just because you capitalize a sentence or raise your voice doesn't make you right.

So you took the time to capitalize part of a sentence to prove your point and yet you don't take the time to capitalize the first letter of a sentence?

Wow! I must take you serious now! hehe

Yeah, right!

[jskinn81]

I agree with you that it is a bad decision to close Guantanamo and the other war prisons. You should probably take a grammar class or something though.

[gismotech]

so you consider waterboarding someone for 30 seconds, on the same level as using a blow torch, cutting someones head off with a dull knife.

get real fool

[ojmardueno]

With all due respect, torture is torture.

By the way, nice try on your grammar, but the first comma doesn't go there, and you need to capitalize the first letter of a sentence.

And since when does Mr. T post comments on a Youtube video?

[gismotech]

I see you are a member of the Grammar Nazi have to protect the blogs

fucking moron

[ojmardueno]

Grammar nazi? fucking moron? So instead of having a healthy argument were people agree to disagree, you decide to come out with insults?

The more a person uses profanity, the less educated that person is.

By the way, water boarding someone for 30 seconds is considered torture, cutting some ones head off with a dull knife is considered murder.

I don't understand how you can compare the two.

[gismotech]

That's right you are a Grammar Nazi

were was your Healthy argument? All you did was insult my grammar. And water boarding someone for 30 seconds is not any were near the same as what Islamic terrorist do to personners care to name one they have not killed? after cutting them to pieces

fucking moron

[ojmardueno]

I agree with you, water boarding is a mild form of torture compared to some of the atrocities done by others, yet it's still considered torture, and it doesn't make it right.

How can I have a healthy argument with you when the first reply you made towards my comments start with "no it just shows how stupid you are"?

I didn't insult your grammar, I just corrected you. You insulted yourself and showed your level of education when you didn't use proper grammar to insult me in the first place.

[gismotech]

Don't be stupid and I won't tell you your being stupid. As for Grammar this is a blog not a office letter. And if it will save lives I would water board any terrorist we catch. People that will crash planes, sucide bombing and such deserve no consideration or rights. They are not Americans. they do not give any rights or obey any treaties.

[ojmardueno]

So because I have a difference of opinion than yours, I'm stupid? Really? Is that really your defense for using profanity?

This is not a blog, this is the comment section of a youtube video. That still doesn't excuse anybody from having proper grammar.

If you were 18 or younger, I would understand why you are not using proper grammar, but your profile says you are 50, if that is truly your age.

So let me ask you, how in the world did you learn to use a computer in the first place?

[gismotech]

Lets see I have been fixing hi tech equipment for 30 years and if it were not for techs like me you would not even have the internet, as for computers I have forgot more than you will ever know about them.

[ojmardueno]

Well if this last comment is the truth, thank you.

And thank you for refraining from using any more profanity.

We can agree to disagree, and we can do it without throwing insults and offending each other.

Being civil is what takes us apart from those that wish to harm us, which has been my point all along.

I don't like those that terrorize us much as you do, but if we start doing what they do, we end up losing our civility.

Torture is an easy way to lose our civility.

[ojmardueno]

Continued...

If we do to them as they do to us, then we become barbarians.

Would you like to be told you were doing the same thing they do? I know I don't.

I'm not religious, yet I like this verse,

"Do onto others as you would want others to do onto you."

[gismotech]

You misunderstand the Islamic terrorist they just consider the west weak minded cowards. Maybe you should read what the KGB did in Lebonon in the 80's when thier people got kidnapped. they grabed one of the leaders cut off you know what and stuffed in in his mouth dropped him in front of thier offices and guess what no more russisan we kidnapped in Lebonon. And the ones they had were turn loose.

[ojmardueno]

By torturing those prisoners, we just keep giving them more excuses to keep terrorizing us.

Either way, they will always find an excuse to keep hating us.

That is still no reason for us to torture those prisoners.

The job of a terrorist is to disrupt our way of life, to create chaos, or in the simplest way, just to pick a fight, cause they can, or cause they are bored, or whatever.

If we lower ourselves to their level, they win, and that is exactly what they want.

[Tliberty91]

In June 2002, a report stated that Abu Zubayadah provided government officials with information that helped foil a plot to detonate a radioactive bomb in the United States. Is this not a reason for why the use of harsh interrogation methods should be employed if it is directed towards saving innocence, especially our own?

[ojmardueno]

have you ever heard of this saying?

"the end doesn't justify the mean"