Obama Gives Go-Ahead for Guantanamo Military Trials to Resume

2 years ago

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President Obama on Monday lifted his ban on the filing of new charges against prisoners at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, giving the green light for military trials, with revised procedures, to resume, the New York Times reported.

The executive order signed by the president also creates a system of indefinite detention for detainees who pose a significant threat to national security, the Washington Post said.

The move, two years after Obama pledged to close the prison camp, represents a policy defeat for the president.

Obama has wanted to hold a civilian trial for Khalid Shaikh Mohammed, the self-proclaimed chief plotter of the Sept. 11 attacks, and others accused of terrorism, but Congress has blocked their transfer to the United States.

The president said in a statement that from the beginning of his administration, "the United States has worked to bring terrorists to justice consistent with our commitment to protect the American people and uphold our values."

Administration officials declined to discuss individual cases, but one senior official said he expected new charges to be brought against some detainees within days or weeks.

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truthforfreedom

How sad that this is all our President can do. Something we knew was inevitible. This man is beyond his capabiltiy and our country has suffered for it. Like an inept parent trying the best they can, but raise disfunctional kids none the same. How pathetic. Keep the status quo and never improve upon it. This poor soul is beyond help. I can only pray that we are not.

March 08 2011 at 10:11 PM Report abuse Permalink +4 rate up rate down Reply

joe

Obama is learning that unwritten rule. If It ain't broke don't fix it .

March 08 2011 at 7:20 PM Report abuse Permalink +4 rate up rate down Reply

klovepr

I think it's great, too. I'm just wondering where the liberal outrage is that was displayed toward Gitmo when Bush was president...

March 08 2011 at 12:42 PM Report abuse Permalink +9 rate up rate down Reply

Rob

Good..great! Since these alleged terrorists claim to be at war & acting as warriors for Allah, then it's nothing but right that they be tried by a military court. Civilian courts are easily swayed by slick defense attorney's who are adept at twisting, and manipulating a jury's mind about 'reasonable doubt', or what degree of guilt a defendant carries, BS 'plea bargains', and then there's always the publicity which sways public opinions. A good example would be a reminder of the OJ Simpson fiasco.
Using a slightly distorted phrase from the 'Nam era, "Kill 'em all, and let Allah sort them out."
We sure don't want them set free on some stupid technicality, and later get a visa to return to OUR American soil, do we?

March 08 2011 at 10:04 AM Report abuse Permalink +11 rate up rate down Reply

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