Posted on 05/05/2009 3:47:26 AM PDT by tobyhill
House Democrats told the president Monday he won't be getting money to close the military detention facility at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, until he has a "concrete program" for shutting it down and moving its prisoners.
The $80 million will be dropped from President Obama's supplemental request for the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, House Appropriations Committee Chairman Rep. David Obey told reporters.
"So far as we can tell, there is yet no concrete program for that," said Obey, D-Wisconsin. "And while I don't mind defending a concrete program, I'm not much interested in wasting my energy defending a theoretical program. So when they have a plan, they're welcome to come back and talk to us about it."
The administration requested $50 million for the Defense Department and $30 million for the Justice Department to close the prison, Democratic aides said.
Republicans have been pounding Obama and the Democrats over the proposed closure, saying that closing the facility could push detainees into facilities in the United States, making the country less safe.
Sen. John McCain, Obama's Republican rival for the presidency last year, supports closing the facility, and argued for moving the prisoners to the military prison at Fort Leavenworth in Kansas.
A Democratic leadership aide insisted there is "no distance" between Democrats and the White House on closing Guantanamo. Anticipating the loss of some Democratic votes on the supplemental request, Democratic leaders hoped to gain some Republican support by removing the Guantanamo funding, the aide said.
(Excerpt) Read more at cnn.com ...
They put their facade on before they look.
They never have a plan for anything. Just braying about the latest issue blowing in the political winds. None of them want the terrorists in their states or districts. Maybe put them in Wash DC since Barry is so hot on the idea of closing Gitmo.
And the best place for them to be housed is next door to Cindy Sheehan.
Bunches of Gitmo terrorists are to be tried in American federal courts such as the one in Alexandria, Virginia where Moussaouai and Johnny Jihad were previously tried. Alexandria is so close to DC that it was actually once part of the federal *District* Of Columbia.
The local neighborhoods near the courthouse are not happy (and by the way Alexandria voted 70 percent for Zer0).
Security Worries in the Suburbs
Possible Move of Terrorist Suspects To Alexandria for Trial Raises Outcry
By Jerry Markon
Washington Post Staff Writer
Wednesday, March 25, 2009; Page B01’
http://alexandriava.gov/sheriff/
A Message from the Sheriff
Dear Neighbors and Friends,
The closing of the Guantanamo Bay prison and the relocation of its high profile prisoners have once again thrust the City of Alexandria and this Sheriff’s Office before the eyes of our nation and the world.
[snip]
Alexandria citizens have expressed their desire that the trials not be held in our locality, and that these prisoners not be housed here. I am committed to doing what is best for the citizens of Alexandria. I respect their wishes, and will do all I can to protect their interests.
$80 million to move 240 jailbirds figures out to be one third of a million dollars per jailbird. JUST TO MOVE THEM! I can think of less expensive ways to get the job done.
They should be tried and housed in the bluest of cities - SF, NY, Chgo, Portland, Seattle, etc.
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