Obama-Guantanamo 01-22-09

Moving quickly to reverse his predecessor's policies on the treatment of terror suspects, President Barack Obama on Thursday signed an executive order to shut down the Guantanamo Bay prison within a year. He also signed an executive order to require that all U.S. interrogations of terror suspects must now conform to the U.S. Army Field Manual, a move meant to restrict what the CIA can do. The president created an inter-agency task force to advise him on detainee policy. In addition, the man tapped to oversee U.S. intelligence is promising Congress there will be no torture, harsh interrogations and warrantless wiretapping on his watch.

The direct quote from Obama: Any interrogations taking place are going to have to abide by the Army Field Manual. We feel 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. This is me following through on not just a commitment I made during the campaign, I think, but an understanding that dates to our founding fathers. That we are willing to observe core standards of conduct, not just when it's easy but when it's hard.

Be sure to read Glenn Greenwald's fine post today on what Americans really think about the need to torture.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• Barack Obama
• Gitmo Closure
• Guantanamo Bay

[Quandary121]

How people change .... is this what America Voted for ...Obama-Guantanamo he has Lied again it will not close

[borcer]

Yes! All Hail To Our Glorious New World Order Leader!

[Grandus11]

This man is so full of it he lies and then fights in court to keep the place open just using some different rules, you have to love democrats they make sweet sounds but it all turns to lies. This guy is just like George W Bush when it comes to lying .

[Strange0ne]

The first 20 seconds are lies! THE FIRST STATEMENT WHAT THE FUCK!!

[hookalakah]

"The Obama administration reverses itself and moves to try Guantanamo detainees." --news headline of March 7, 2011

[johnnyharpe]

No, but he's been doing blow like it's going out of style.

[Synconize]

Question ? has Obama been smoking alot of weed lately

[Talk875]

obama is retarded

[Gyro911]

Its a moot point now. The senate voted against it 90-6 which surprised the hell out of me. It seems democrats lost confidence in him believing his policies will get them beaten in general elections

[Gyro911]

His failure to get senate backing for this proves he's just a token black president who's nothing more then window dressing to the United States. Clearly he's not running the country. Congress and corporate america have decided to be the defacto leaders due to this stupidity.. All his plans are premature and i dont care how well he articulates them, they lack substance and proper research and development to succeed

[Gyro911]

Thats what typical negro does, they speak before they think

[vietnameravet]

President Obama, you failed to mention what you intended to do with the prisoners. How could you not have a plan before you did this?