Obama signs order to close Guantanamo (detention) in a year - The Orange Mane

Garcia Bronco · 01-23-2009, 07:25 AM

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090122/...ted_terrorists

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.

ak1971 · 01-23-2009, 07:27 AM

Looks like we will see some new residents in this fine state of ours.

Garcia Bronco · 01-23-2009, 07:28 AM

I can agree with interrogation techniques being in question, but here's the problem thus far: He's got no plan on where these terrorists are going to go, other than to bring them here, to Colorado. Specifically Florence. Now we already have what-his-nuts from 9/11 hold up here and the unibomber.

alkemical · 01-23-2009, 07:29 AM

A rep from PA wants the detainees as well.

Garcia Bronco · 01-23-2009, 07:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by amesj523

A rep from PA wants the detainees as well.

It must come with cash then if that's the case.

alkemical · 01-23-2009, 07:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Garcia Bronco

It must come with cash then if that's the case.

yep

barryr · 01-23-2009, 08:48 AM

Yeah, the terrorists will like us now, woo hoo!

Dudeskey · 01-23-2009, 09:44 AM

Palin was right... He is palling around with terrorists!!!™

SonOfLe-loLang · 01-23-2009, 10:20 AM

Good. The world will actually look at us with a kind eye again. It's not like he's gonna set these guys free, ya know. Guantanamo was a complete scar on America. Glad to see it go even if its mostly symbolic

bronco militia · 01-23-2009, 10:28 AM

Guantánamo detainee resurfaces in terrorist group

The militant, Said Ali al-Shihri, is suspected of involvement in a deadly bombing of the U.S. Embassy in Yemen's capital, Sana, in September. He was released to Saudi Arabia in 2007 and passed through a Saudi rehabilitation program for former jihadists before resurfacing with Al Qaeda in Yemen.

http://www.iht.com/articles/2009/01/...e.1-414168.php

alkemical · 01-23-2009, 11:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bronco militia

Guantánamo detainee resurfaces in terrorist group

The militant, Said Ali al-Shihri, is suspected of involvement in a deadly bombing of the U.S. Embassy in Yemen's capital, Sana, in September. He was released to Saudi Arabia in 2007 and passed through a Saudi rehabilitation program for former jihadists before resurfacing with Al Qaeda in Yemen.

http://www.iht.com/articles/2009/01/...e.1-414168.php

I've followed some of the UK stories that came out on where they were sorta "deprogramming" "jihadists".

SonOfLe-loLang · 01-23-2009, 12:40 PM

I love how right wingers are taking this severely underreported story as proof that Obama's intentions towards guantanamo should be reconsidered. So ass backwards

Crushaholic · 01-23-2009, 01:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SonOfLe-loLang

I love how right wingers are taking this severely underreported story as proof that Obama's intentions towards guantanamo should be reconsidered. So ass backwards

How should we take it? If a person is detained for trying to do harm to the United States, a reasonable person wouldn't expect that they would change their minds after they are released...

SonOfLe-loLang · 01-23-2009, 02:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crushaholic

How should we take it? If a person is detained for trying to do harm to the United States, a reasonable person wouldn't expect that they would change their minds after they are released...

Because, first of all, these people were released under BUSH'S WATCH, not Obama's.

It wasn't Obama's policy that led to this. The BUSH administration created the Guantanamo nightmare, which was supposed to protect us from the "evildoers". And what's to show? A bunch of bad guys who went free, and a bunch of others we'll struggle to prosecute because the Bush administration broke the law and tortured them.

To quote John Cole, "The moral of this story is not the danger for Obama going forward with his Gitmo decommissioning, the moral is that when venal, shallow, small men are given unfettered power and authority, they do incompetent, stupid, and evil things."

Obama isn't closing Guantanamo and letting them free. He's changing up the trial process.

orinjkrush · 01-23-2009, 02:46 PM

if you don't want one living in your neighborhood, then rethink your "moral high ground".

SonOfLe-loLang · 01-23-2009, 03:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by orinjkrush

if you don't want one living in your neighborhood, then rethink your "moral high ground".

Clueless

baja · 01-23-2009, 03:37 PM

Quote:

To quote John Cole, "The moral of this story is not the danger for Obama going forward with his Gitmo decommissioning, the moral is that when venal, shallow, small men are given unfettered power and authority, they do incompetent, stupid, and evil things."

Bad time to have sigs turned off.

spdirty · 01-23-2009, 03:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SonOfLe-loLang

Good. The world will actually look at us with a kind eye again. It's not like he's gonna set these guys free, ya know. Guantanamo was a complete scar on America. Glad to see it go even if its mostly symbolic

Do you live your life based on what others think of you? Must be a terrible existence if true because that mindset is pathetic.

spdirty · 01-23-2009, 03:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by amesj523

A rep from PA wants the detainees as well.

Murtha. And his district would be the perfect place to put em, even better than Gitmo. Those morons deserve to have the detainees put there for constantly reelecting that piece of shlt.

SonOfLe-loLang · 01-23-2009, 03:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spdirty

Do you live your life based on what others think of you? Must be a terrible existence if true because that mindset is pathetic.

How are you comparing this to a personal thing? YES ITS IMPORTANT HOW THE REST OF THE WORLD LOOKS AT US IF WE ARE THE APPARENT 'LEADERS OF THE FREE WORLD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" We can ill-afford to be alienated by the global community and said community as a whole cannot function optimily if they don't trust us. And Bush created a culture of distrust. How can you be so nearsighted?

spdirty · 01-23-2009, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SonOfLe-loLang

How are you comparing this to a personal thing? YES ITS IMPORTANT HOW THE REST OF THE WORLD LOOKS AT US IF WE ARE THE APPARENT 'LEADERS OF THE FREE WORLD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" We can ill-afford to be alienated by the global community and said community as a whole cannot function optimily if they don't trust us. And Bush created a culture of distrust. How can you be so nearsighted?

If I had it my way, it would be We are the leaders and they need to follow. If they want to continue to receive our goodies. Not the other way around.

SonOfLe-loLang · 01-23-2009, 03:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spdirty

If I had it my way, it would be We are the leaders and they need to follow. If they want to continue to receive our goodies. Not the other way around.

Well, all i can say is I'm very glad you weren't elected president.

spdirty · 01-23-2009, 03:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SonOfLe-loLang

Well, all i can say is I'm very glad you weren't elected president.

let me be dictator and Ill get this country straightened out in less than 2 years.

SonOfLe-loLang · 01-23-2009, 04:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spdirty

let me be dictator and Ill get this country straightened out in less than 2 years.

The world would explode, we'd all be dead, and wouldnt have to worry about such petty things any longer

spdirty · 01-23-2009, 04:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SonOfLe-loLang

The world would explode, we'd all be dead, and wouldnt have to worry about such petty things any longer

there ya go.

01-23-2009, 07:25 AM	#1
Garcia Bronco Hokie since 1993 Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 46,001 Adopt-a-Bronco: Tom Jackson	Obama signs order to close Guantanamo (detention) in a year http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090122/...ted_terrorists 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.

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01-23-2009, 07:27 AM	#2
ak1971 uhhhh Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 5,549	Looks like we will see some new residents in this fine state of ours.

01-23-2009, 07:28 AM	#3
Garcia Bronco Hokie since 1993 Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 46,001 Adopt-a-Bronco: Tom Jackson	I can agree with interrogation techniques being in question, but here's the problem thus far: He's got no plan on where these terrorists are going to go, other than to bring them here, to Colorado. Specifically Florence. Now we already have what-his-nuts from 9/11 hold up here and the unibomber.

01-23-2009, 07:29 AM	#4
alkemical Guerrilla Ontologist rorrim\|mirror Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Future Posts: 42,723 Adopt-a-Bronco: Prima Materia	A rep from PA wants the detainees as well.

01-23-2009, 08:48 AM	#7
barryr Ring of Famer New to the Forum Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 8,278 Adopt-a-Bronco: None	Yeah, the terrorists will like us now, woo hoo!

01-23-2009, 09:44 AM	#8
Dudeskey Ring of Famer This space for rent Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Colorado Springs, CO Posts: 4,314	Palin was right... He is palling around with terrorists!!!™

01-23-2009, 10:20 AM	#9
SonOfLe-loLang Young Buck Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 13,402 Adopt-a-Bronco: Thunder (RIP)	Good. The world will actually look at us with a kind eye again. It's not like he's gonna set these guys free, ya know. Guantanamo was a complete scar on America. Glad to see it go even if its mostly symbolic

01-23-2009, 10:28 AM	#10
bronco militia Ring of Famer THE GREATEST Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: colorado springs, co Posts: 22,703	*Guantánamo detainee resurfaces in terrorist group* The militant, Said Ali al-Shihri, is suspected of involvement in a deadly bombing of the U.S. Embassy in Yemen's capital, Sana, in September. He was released to Saudi Arabia in 2007 and passed through a Saudi rehabilitation program for former jihadists before resurfacing with Al Qaeda in Yemen. http://www.iht.com/articles/2009/01/...e.1-414168.php

01-23-2009, 12:40 PM	#12
SonOfLe-loLang Young Buck Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 13,402 Adopt-a-Bronco: Thunder (RIP)	I love how right wingers are taking this severely underreported story as proof that Obama's intentions towards guantanamo should be reconsidered. So ass backwards

01-23-2009, 02:46 PM	#15
orinjkrush ... Prospects for the future... Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: DistrictOfCorruption Posts: 4,918 Adopt-a-Bronco: Ben Garland	if you don't want one living in your neighborhood, then rethink your "moral high ground".