2016 Postmortem
Related: About this forumRetired generals urge Obama to keep Gitmo promise
In a letter to the president, 27 former military leaders call for renewed efforts to close the facility
BY NATASHA LENNARD
27 retired military generals and admirals signed their names to a letter Tuesday, urging President Obama to follow through on his four year-old promise to close the U.S. detention facility in Guantanamo.
Last week the White House threatened to veto a new version of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which in its current form could impose prisoner transfer restrictions that may compromise plans to close the facility. Last year, Obama threatened a veto over similar objections but backed down and signed the act into law. As such, retired top military brass are urging a redoubling of efforts to close the camp. The letter, organized by Human Rights First, noted:
Human Rights First has put forward an updated Blueprint on how to close Guantanamo in President Obamas second-term.
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http://www.salon.com/2012/12/04/retired_generals_urge_obama_to_keep_gitmo_promise/
Link the Human Rights First updated Blueprint:
http://www.humanrightsfirst.org/wp-content/uploads/pdf/blueprints2012/HRF_Guantanamo_blueprint.pdf
1StrongBlackMan
(31,849 posts)Didn't the House refuse funding for the closure of GITMO, arguing they didn't want dangerous terrorist jailed in the U.S., where they would be afforded the rule and protects under the law?
AnotherMcIntosh
(11,064 posts)At a minimum, as the President and commander-in-chief, he could start making noise about closing the Kentucky portion of Fort Campbell (located in both Tennessee and Kentucky) in the interest of greater efficiency.
If Mitch McConnell and others did not get the message, he could take action to start doing so.
This is not the only action that he could take.
1StrongBlackMan
(31,849 posts)Just, stop it! Yes ... In our system of government, a President can be stopped from doing what he wants because of an opposition party.
...
But in the face of fierce opposition in Congress from Republicans, Obama backed away from his attempts to close the facility and move the terrorism trials from military commissions into federal courts.
...
House Armed Services Chairman Buck McKeon (R-Calif.) said that bipartisan opposition prevented the administration from closing the prison when Democrats held majorities in both chambers of Congress.
If he wants to try again, that is his choice, McKeon, who has helped lead GOP efforts to block transfers of Gitmo detainees in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), said in a statement to The Hill.
http://thehill.com/blogs/defcon-hill/policy-and-strategy/263125-obama-faces-long-odds-to-close-gitmo-if-he-tries-again-
AnotherMcIntosh
(11,064 posts)Is that why he doesn't do so?
1StrongBlackMan
(31,849 posts)because the rest of us, DEMOCRATS, remember the discussion.
AnotherMcIntosh
(11,064 posts)Joe McCarthy was this guy, a Republican:
Falsely accusing those with whom you disagree of being disloyal is not a tactic that you adopt.
Cha
(297,272 posts)the Senate Flaked Out.
"Dont Blame Obama: Only 6 Democratic Senators Voted To Fund Closing GITMO"
Far left progressives constantly bash Obama for not closing GITMO, but a closer look at the facts reveals that their blame has been misplaced.
http://www.politicususa.com/don%E2%80%99t-blame-obama-only-6-democratic-senators-voted-to-fund-closing-gitmo.html
1StrongBlackMan
(31,849 posts)Well ... If I wrote want I'm starting to think, I'd probably get TSed for calling someone out.
Cha
(297,272 posts)but, have learned to just ignore.
1StrongBlackMan
(31,849 posts)I'll tell ya ... I'm done!
Cha
(297,272 posts)1StrongBlackMan
(31,849 posts)Cha
(297,272 posts)know what you were thinking that time.
treestar
(82,383 posts)Why do they not go to the House? And being generals, that could shame the Republicans into doing the right thing.
Cha
(297,272 posts)Government works?