Obama orders Guantanamo Bay closed, bans torture

[Turborama]

Source: Boston Globe

Posted by Foon Rhee, deputy national political editor

January 22, 2009 11:15 AM

President Obama signed an executive order this morning to shut down the Guantanamo Bay terrorist detention center within a year.

The military-run prison camp at the US Navy base in Cuba, where about 245 terrorism suspects are being detained, has become a symbol of the Bush administration's war on terror and a magnet for critics who say it violates human rights.

Obama also signed an executive order banning harsh interrogations -- what critics say are tantamount to torture.

Retired Admiral Dennis Blair, Obama's incoming director of national intelligence, told Congress today that the detention center must be closed because it is "a damaging symbol to the world."

"It is a rallying cry for terrorist recruitment and harmful to our national security, so closing it is important for our national security," Blair said in prepared remarks.

To lay the groundwork for the closing, on Wednesday the ongoing military tribunals -- including one for five Al Qaeda members accused in the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks -- were suspended for 120 days.

Read more: http://www.boston.com/news/politics/politicalintelligence/2009/01/obama_orders_gu.html

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Obama Order to Shut Gitmo, CIA Detention Centers

The Mandate Also Requires U.S. Interrogators to Adhere Strictly to Army Rules

By JAKE TAPPER and HUMA KHAN

Jan. 22, 2009

In a meeting with retired military officers today, President Obama signed four new executive orders, one of which calls for shutting down the controversial Guantanamo Bay detention center in a year's time.

The orders will also shut down CIA detention centers around the world, establish an interagency task force and a process with Defense Secretary Robert Gates and the attorney general through which the Obama administration will decide what to do with the detainees going forward, and require all U.S. interrogators to adhere to rules in the Army Field Manual.

While signing the orders, Obama reaffirmed the commitment to the war on terror but added that the United States is going to win the war on its own terms.

The move comes upon the heels of Obama's promise to take a "practical, pragmatic approach to foreign policy."

"I was clear throughout this campaign and have been clear throughout this transition that under my administration, the states do not torture," Obama said at a press conference two weeks ago. "We will abide by the Geneva Conventions that we will uphold our highest values and ideals."

Full story: http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/LawPolitics/story?id=6707095&page=1

[myrna minx]

1. We are slowly regaining our dignity. K&R n/t

[FatDave]

16. Maybe slow to regain the dignity...

But President Obama has certainly been fast to action.

[TommyO]

37. I don't think there's anything slow about it.

President Obama (I can't stop smiling) is doing a complete 180 from Bush's policies, and he's doing it FAST.

[phantom power]

2. I like this guy.

[Sultana]

3. This is the change we can believe in

K&R :kick:

[NYC Liberal]

4. Already done more good for the country than Bush did in 8 years.

I'm glad he's not wasting time.

[happygoluckytoyou]

26. it will be tough to match DUBYA's finest action as president----

more for our country than can be measured....
HE LEFT WASHINGTON DC.... on his one man mission to lower the average IQ in TEXAS

-------------------mission accomplished ! ! !

[derby378]

5. Why an Executive Order to ban what the Bill of Rights has already outlawed?

I believe this is setting a dangerous precedent. Torture is illegal under the Fifth and Eighth Amendments. You cannot use torture either as an interrogration method or as a means of punishment. This is not "policy," it is who we are as a nation.

Someone please help me out here...

[shraby]

8. Because some idiots don't understand the word

torture when it isn't explicitly stated. They would then argue that torture isn't what Obama really really meant. Apparently he understands this mind-set and put the order in easy to understand (by all) terms.
Sorta like the difference between a computer technical manual and the book "computers for dummies".

[Karenina]

84. Excellent analogy!

:toast:

[BeFree]

9. It's been a long time coming.

Thank the Gawds it is finally here. For years now we have opposed the establishment of Gitmo, and now the end is near. Finally. Hallelujah!!

As to how this happened: the ruling was that these prisoners were not American citizens, so therefore bushco was not constitutionally bound to treat them as such. That the 5th and 8th did not apply.

Not excusing it, just laying out how it happened.

[Justitia]

14. No more room for ambiguity, "quaint" dismissals or "interpretation". -eom

[thereismore]

19. No. The Army field manual, etc., speaks of harsh interrogation methods, not torture. Essentially,

Obama is saying that these are torture and therefore illegal under Geneva IV, the Constitution, etc.

[tan guera]

72. Rachel

was opining tonight that the Army Field Manual may be added to but that it was ambiguous just what that means. I don't know the manual but apparently solitary confinement is in it. And then she said that that constitutes torture in international law. I need help with this too. Is there wiggle room?

[azul]

29. We need clarity where confusion and denial now stand.

'"It is a rallying cry for terrorist recruitment and harmful to our national security, so closing it is important for our national security," Blair said in prepared remarks.'



They knew this years ago, and yet got legislation passed to allow it to continue to be done -in secret.

An administration that fights and creates radical extremists? With us or against us? The statistics of recruitment and violent acts incited by these policies and actions tell the truth to it.

[winter999]

33. Constitution only applies to U.S. citizens or foriegners on U.S. soil

Now do you understand why these cats are at Gitmo and not in the States?

[Homer Wells]

82. As I understand it,

Any American installation that is placed in a foreign country is, de facto, American soil. This goes for any American embassy throughout the world, so it seems to me, that would also apply to our military installations. Please, do correct me if I am wrong.

[4lbs]

36. Because some people in the Bush Administration and various GOP'ers have maintained that

the US Constitution, and thusly, the Bill of Rights, don't apply when it comes to enemy foreign/military combatants.

They give several reasons for this:

1.) Because US residents/citizens aren't allowed to claim protection under the Bill of Rights if they are detained in other countries by their police force or military, foreigners or designated military combatants don't get US Bill of Rights protection if detained by the United States outside of the United States. You know, places like Gitmo and Abu Ghraib.

This is also why rendition has been practiced, to whisk people away to outside-the-US places. They can then maintain that since these people aren't being held inside the US, the Constitution doesn't apply.

It is also why so many have been detained for years without access to a lawyer or the ability to apply for bail, like civilians arrested in the United States.

2.) These people are being detained by the US military and are being held at a military facility. Thus, they aren't subject to the US Constitution, a mostly civilian document. For the same reason US military court martials and tribunals have their own set of laws and not necessarily subject to the Constitution, these people believe that interrogations done at a military base don't have to follow the 5th and 8th Amendments.

3.) The military field manuals have allowed "harsh interrogations". So, we (the Bush Administration and various GOP'ers) think that these methods some are calling torture, are really just harsh, or 'vigorous' interrogations. No crime here!


See the reasoning these people have given over the past 8 years? This is why President Obama had to SPECIFICALLY denounce all these interpretations and declare it that the United States will not be doing these in ANY circumstance. He also banned "harsh interrogations" so that in the future, various torture methods couldn't be thrown under that umbrella. No more "word games", creative re-defining, creative reasonings to allow torture.

[derby378]

67. A very thorough response

I appreciate all of the responses I've received from everyone, but yours probably went into the most detail. :hi:

[marshall]

42. I think we need a very clear definition of torture

If Clinton taught us nothing else, it is that words can mean different things to different people. This whole clusterbleep has hinged on the meaning of torture. To some anything goes as long as you don't flay the person alive, others would shirk at using harsh language and yelling as is so often displayed on television, and still to others just being locked up is torture. We need a very clear definition to our military, law enforcement, and the world as to where exactly this administration is going to draw the line between acceptable and unacceptable.

[defendandprotect]

61. Did we not notice that the right-wing/neo-cons have a need for "newspeak" . . .????

Have we somehow failed to understand the right-wing propaganda . . .

from "partial-truth abortion" to "Welfare Queens" . . . ??

Did we fail to understand their vile instincts with "Swiftboating" ---???

Or the truth of their "pro-life" instincts which led to pro-life Murders across

the nation -- death to hundreds of thousands of civilians in Iraq/Afghanistan --

torturous lives for Taliban women with no interference from the "believers" in

the administration who refused to sign the United Nations "CEDAR" agreement on women --

whose "bans" on abortion led to suffering for women all over the world????

It is only in the minds of the right-wing that we don't have a definiton of torture.

We prosecuted torture in Nuremberg. Our military knows what torture is . . . we've

trained them to resist it.

And, for those who are still in love with the word "terrorist" -- keep in mind that

it's intended to replace "Commie" -- it's intended now to define even peaceful protesters.

[marshall]

81. I think Obama will be very clear about the definition of torture

I don't think a lot of people really thought about it until the Gitmo stuff hit the headlines, as well as the Abu Ghraib event. There were some things going on that while shocking weren't considered torture by "the book", and other things like waterboarding that is widely considered to be torture but which I suppose TPTB talked theirselves into accepting or turning a blind eye to. Now that the cat is out of the bag and the world is watching we will have to be very clear and open about what is going to be allowed.

[Karenina]

85. Is her Name Susan Crawford? The credentialed party liner Honcho

responsible for deciding WHO got prosecuted REFUSED having determined that the prisoner was indeed TORTURED.

[Odin2005]

55. Laws don't enforce themselves. It's the job of the Executive branch to enforce the laws.

That is what many presidential orders are, they are the orders to the federal bureaucracy that lay out the procedures the various agencies must take to put the law into effect.

[defendandprotect]

63. Agree with you . . . and it should have been PROSECUTION which made clear

what the Bush/Cheney administration did over the past 8 years....!!!

Haven't seen the Executive Order, however, hopefully it refers to Bill of Rights --

5th and 8th. Otherwise, this will become like the "ban" on abortion-speak that is

overturned and returned with changes from Dems to Repugs.

[liberal N proud]

6. Outstanding

American can start getting back to treating people with respect.

[Sebass1271]

7. where will Obama be sending those in gitmo?

i was watching c-span this morning and all the right wingers crazy lunatics were freaking out saying that Obama will transfer the terrorists to our backyard..

they are shitting on their pants and were calling Obama a terrorist lover.. i am afraid the MSM will catch up to this and Obama will be in hhuuuge trouble if the american ppl become paranoid about this move..

[shraby]

15. They will be reviewed one by one, those

who have been tortured will be in one list to determine what to do with them, those who can't be put on trial because there is no evidence they did nothing wrong will be repatriated to their respective countries, those who haven't been tortured but there is evidence they were criminally inclined will be put on trial. The tortured and the criminals will be put in federal or military prisons in the continental United States until their case comes up and the court will decide where to put them...just like other people accused of crimes.

[defendandprotect]

64. It seems that the majority of the prisoners . . .

-- and I think there were a minimum of 80,000 of them, or more -- have been let go

with no charges. Very few -- less than a handful -- were charged with anything.

And I would guess that's going to be true of the balance of them.

Many of these people were simply rounded up for payment/bounty from US forces.

It's time for the US to start thinking about how we make amends for all of this ---

[Iggo]

27. Well, there's your first problem.

Don't be afraid.

Wait to see what actually happens with the transferral of detainees, then form an opinion as to how you feel about it.

[Jamastiene]

10. Finally! n/t

[emlev]

11. While it remains open, will torture be stopped and conditions improved?

Will the staff that has tortured prisoners be removed and replaced with humane staff who will help begin the healing process with those who are held?
Will Red Cross observers be allowed?

These are my first few questions. A year is a long time.

[ensho]

12. now I can stop including the following when I give my address:

name
street
city
country: "america, a country that tortures.

my last 3 pieces of mail were sent out with the above right before he banned torture.

I am so happy never to write that again.

sigh of relief.

[The Stranger]

13. These "critics" the MSM keeps referring to -- these basically constitute the entire civilized world.

You wouldn't know it from the bizarre Orwellian line that comes from the U.S. media.

[Wizard777]

17. Thank You President Obama!

[thereismore]

My President. nt

[Usrename]

18. Torture: it's not just a prank anymore.

:woohoo:

[Bette Noir]

20. President Obama. I still like how that sounds.

[Gregorian]

21. This is great. But where will we put those Republican criminals?

Damn. Every day keeps being good. I can't find anything to be angry about.


Three cheers for intelligence and common sense and caring and rule of law!

[Xenotime]

83. That's it! Put THEM in Gitmo and waterboard them. See how they like it.

[chill_wind]

22. We will abide by the Geneva Conventions that we will uphold our highest values and ideals."

Extremely important and welcome affirmation. Thank you, President Obama.

[Harry Monroe]

23. We've finally got a President who "gets it"

Woo hoo!!! I am proud of my country once again!!:toast: :toast: :toast: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :applause: :applause: :applause:

[barbtries]

24. seeing this headline

made me want to dance.

[Javaman]

Hot damn!!! :) sanity is returning! nt

[AllyCat]

25. Yes!!! We have some hope of regaining our dignity and doing the right thing

by our fellow human compatriots.

Way to go Obama! Now THIS is what I call a President!!!

[fascisthunter]

28. yes

[pasto76]

30. score one for the good guys

I did not wear this uniform to have my image sullied by BushCo and his tough talk cronies.

[Politicub]

31. Yes!! Go, President Obama, go!!! K&R

:kick:

[Azlady]

32. Yes Sir, ain't letting any grass grow under his feet! Thanks President Obama!

[azul]

34. Yes! Now direct FBI to give warning to MSM about what spin and propaganda

incites radical extremists. Such as terms like "war on terror" and "rendition" and "enhanced interrogation techniques" in authoritative settings that give them any moral or legal credibility.

Sort of like Britain learned to do.

We wouldn't want the media to make things worse by continued complicity in terrorism now, would we? Not at least while the undeclared "War" is still raging in so many American hearts and minds.

[AzDar]

35. Well played.

:thumbsup:

[cbc5g]

38. Okay now prison reform next

Because if those detainees go to American prisons, they'll have to deal with rape and torture just like the rest of us.

[Kajsa]

39. Yes! Our president,

banning torture and following the rules
set forth in the Geneva Convention.

At last!!

(Little wonder why that was the No.#1
song played at the inaugural festivities.)

:)

[Laelth]

40. My President. Finally, it feels good to say that. n/t

:dem:

-Laelth

[NeedleCast]

41. Two days in office, two excellent EOs

Dig it.

[olddad56]

43. wait, wait, don't close it yet....

We might need Gitmo to house the war criminals who just left office. Gitmo would be the perfect place to detain and 'interogate' the Bush crime family.

[4lbs]

44. Why not Abu Ghraib? I'm just saying, they should experience what they've wrought first hand.

n/t

[LibDemAlways]

52. I was sort of hoping that the plane with the chimp,

his father, Rove, and a bunch of other members of the Bush Crime family that left for Texas on Tuesday would have been diverted to Gitmo under orders from Pres. Obama. Cheney would have had to have been taken into custody separately, but it certainly could have been arranged. Anyhow, what a sweet sight it would have been to see the whole bunch of them frogmarched into the facility shackeled and wearing orange jumpsuits. Can you imagine the look on the chimp's face as he was being forced into his cage?

I hope and pray justice does finally catch up with these thugs sooner rather than later.

[tan guera]

73. Do you really think

they will be prosecuted? So far, mum's the word.

[Generator]

45. I can't get enough of this stuff

NO MINCED words! Take that you evildoers! (EX-Bush admin and all your sycophants)

[FiveGoodMen]

46. Starting to feel much more confidence in the new guy!

:bounce:

[newtothegame]

47. Sweet! n/t

[Deep13]

48. Isn't there already a statute that makes torture a crime?

Whatever happened to that?

[azul]

49. I guess he had to make it clear that he doesn't want to be a criminal too.

Justice would be worth serving, however.

[happygoluckytoyou]

50. AMERICA... internment camps...apology...steal land...apology...war crimes....apology---must be great

[cali]

78. Uh, hate to break this to you Candide, but

this is no different from dozens and dozens of other countries. At least there's an attempt to rectify the the sins of the past.

[varelse]

51. It's starting to feel like I can breathe again

A promise kept - and it's a big one :)

[Ken Burch]

53. My congratulations to the president on a great moral act.

N/t.

[smokey nj]

54. Thank you, Mr. President

[Odin2005]

56. About time!

[democrank]

57. Thank you, President Obama.

~PEACE~

[OnionPatch]

58. This is awesome!

It almost feels like I'm dreaming......a president who makes sense and has real insight! Pinch me!

[rrneck]

59. TCB n/t

[defendandprotect]

60. Thankful news --!! Wish it were immediate, but a happier day--!!!

I think we originally had something like 80,000 or more prisoners in various

locations.

I've no doubt the majority of them were tortured -- probably most of them --

after all we not only need to test ugly weapons, we also need to give brutal

ideas a chance to be learned and to flourish in the minds of those who will do it!

If there were such a thing as a "just god" what would be the consequences for our

superpower nation??!!!

Does the right-wing and their disgusting instincts fail to make anyone here ill?

[dcindian]

62. This is great news and the President is correct.

Now we need to hold those responsible for this travesty responsible.

[Jester Messiah]

65. HUZZAH!!

Within his first week, he's done more to restore our nation's honor than 1000 patriotic speeches could do. Deeds instead of words... truly this is a rare breed of politician!

[Carrie15]

66. Is the Bush War On Tourism finally over?

This is great. I'm almost ready to consider a shopping holiday in the US again, after all these years.

[jeff30997]

74. I know what you mean.

I've been avoiding any trip to the U.S (Which is about a 4 hours drive from where I live) for the

last 8 years.I heard to many horror stories about Canadian tourists living a nightmare for

ridiculous pretexts.:scared:

[pleah]

68. Great start!

:applause: :applause: :woohoo: :applause: :applause: :patriot:

[usregimechange]

69. That is why I kocked on doors for him

[trickyguy]

70. Obama is incredible in doing this so quickly but it needs to be done.

:kick:

[MadMaddie]

71. The Geneva Convention

Have you heard sweeter words...The US will abide by the Geneva Convention.

[jeff30997]

75. That's great news !

It's like FDR signing an executive order to shut down the Gulags in Siberia.

[GOPBasher]

76. Democracy lives. n/t

[Optical.Catalyst]

77. It is about time

long over due

[tclambert]

79. He's really ticking stuff off the to-do list.

Get new curtains for oval office. Check.
Get new puppy. Check.
Repeal ban on stem cell research. Check.
Close Gitmo. Check.
Arrest George Bush. Hmm, still needs work.

[Chovexani]

80. Now THERE is a headline.

:patriot: