Posted on 10/20/2008 7:34:23 PM PDT by reaganaut1
WASHINGTON — Despite his stated desire to close the American prison at Guantánamo Bay, Cuba, President Bush has decided not to do so, and never considered proposals drafted in the State Department and the Pentagon that outlined options for transferring the detainees elsewhere, according to senior administration officials.
Mr. Bush’s top advisers held a series of meetings at the White House this summer after a Supreme Court ruling in June cast doubt on the future of the American detention center. But Mr. Bush adopted the view of his most hawkish advisers that closing Guantánamo would involve too many legal and political risks to be acceptable, now or any time soon, the officials said.
The administration is proceeding on the assumption that Guantánamo will remain open not only for the rest of Mr. Bush’s presidency but also well beyond, the officials said, as the site for military tribunals of those facing terrorism-related charges and for the long prison sentences that could follow convictions.
The effect of Mr. Bush’s stance is to leave in place a prison that has become a reviled symbol of the administration’s fight against terrorism, and to leave another contentious foreign policy decision for the next president.
Both presidential candidates, Senators John McCain and Barack Obama, have called for closing Guantánamo and could reverse Mr. Bush’s policy, though probably not quickly since neither has spelled out precisely how to deal with some of the thorniest legal consequences of shutting the prison.
(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...
Just watch, the Moonbats will say that it’s for all the political prisoners he wants to send there after Republicans “steal” the election. /sarcasm
Make Osama “That One” cut those suckers loose! Good move.
Good! Obama and Axelrod are going to need a place to stay when the Sun rises on November 5th, 2008!
This is an “in your face” from Bush to all the whiners. They can’t stand their boys being caught and locked up for our national defense, so let’s tear it down as a symbolic gesture. Bush says shut up!
“a prison that has become a reviled symbol of the administration’s fight against terrorism”
Reviled the most by terrorists!
I celebrate the place!
well done mr President
THANK YOU MR. PRESIDENT! [Keeping us safe for 7 1/2 years and counting!]
Well done indeed. Sadly, if “that one” gets in, the enemies of America around the world will be chomping at the bit to put into place plans of destruction.
They will be rejoicing that a spineless fool resides in the Oval Office.
And we will rue the day.
Thank you Mr. President and all the tireless people who have been working and sacrificing their lives and their family life to protect our nation.
Just another of the untold stories the media will never tell.
What’s with the “Mr.” Bush usage throughout the article. Shouldn’t he be reffered to as President Bush?
It is reassuring that for SOME people sanity strikes occasionally. Would that it struck, at least occasionally, at 620 Eighth Avenue, New York.
Post for the day!
Why the sarcasm indicator on you post? You speak a truism … go with it. ;-)
Are you kidding?
First of all they have never referred to him as President. I would say it's because they have no respect for him, but I think they just have no respect for the office no matter who holds it, after all they endorsed Carter, Clinton and now nObama.
Imprisoning the worst of the worst in America would be beyond absurd. Just too dangerous.
I suppose if Guantanamo wasn’t available, an island in the south seas or the Aleutians could be prepared for these individuals. But the Navy is already at Guatanamo, its a place that the jailors are comfortable with and its secure.
President Bush’s decision is a no-brainer.
It’ll take a lot of room to store all those ACORNS.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.