Reid Shifts On Gitmo After Obama Speech

[babylonsister]

Ryan Grim

Reid: Obama Speech Opens Way For Gitmo Closure Discussion


First Posted: 05-21-09 02:08 PM | Updated: 05-21-09 02:48 PM




Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) said Thursday he was open to discussing with President Obama the closure of the prison at Guantanamo Bay and the relocation of detainees.

That discussion will include the possible relocation of detainees to the United States to stand trial and, if convicted, be sent to prison. But Reid did not back off his previously stated opposition to such a transfer, stopping short at a willingness to talk about it.

First, said Reid, Congress needs to see a detailed plan.

"Many Americans have had concerns about terrorists coming into our communities. We received today a broad vision from President Obama and that's important that he did that. We're all awaiting the details of his plan. And he's going to come up with one," said Reid. "We're wanting and willing to work with him to come up with a responsible solution."

Pressed as to whether he'd allow the relocation of prisoners to the United States, he said, "I think I've answered the question." Reid is up for reelection in 2010.

more...

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/05/21/reid-obama-speech-opens-w_n_206418.html

[derby378]

1. Being imprisoned isn't the same as "coming into my community"

Reid has been drinking the Kool-Aid again. Sad.

What about that prison in rural Montana? They can't wait to take in some of the detainees, and it'll give them some much-needed income, too.

[Andy823]

2. I agree.

That town in Montana wants them, needs the jobs, and I think it's a great idea! The only ones who are worried about where to put them, seem to be the idiots in congress who are afraid they might not get re-elected if they allow those prisoners to come to the U.S. Reid needs to get a backbone and stop letting the likes of Cheney scare him!

[pinto]

4. I saw that mentioned here (Montana mayor). Heads up guy, smart move.

Whatever comes of it all.

I think Reid plays it waaay too close to the vest much of the time. This is a good statement for him, though. (I had read that some of the opposition to funding for the closure of Gitmo was tied to wanting a "plan" to support or oppose. If that's the case, I think Obama gave them enough to act on.)

[babylonsister]

5. Just read this at TPM:

http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/2009/05/maxed_out.php?ref=fpblg

Maxed Out

Setting aside the truly ludicrous idea that imprisoned terrorists are going to break out of prison like something out of an old Jimmy Cagney movie, I have heard from a number of readers who say we should be worried that these terrorist prisoners will spread their ideas within the prison system. If you imagine that these al Qaida dudes are going to be hanging around the prison yard, pumping iron and forming their own Islamist gang to go toe to toe with the Aryan Brotherhood and the Black Guerrilla Family that might make some sense. But I don't think these folks are really familiar with how the federal supermax facilities work these days -- particularly the premier one in Florence, Colorado, where all the high profile baddies are. All these guys are in solitary lockdown at least 23 hours a day, when they're allowed into a special exercise cage. Then there's the 78 cell "control unit" for prisoners who are not allowed any contact with anyone. This article from the Post from a few years ago has more details.

[gkhouston]

8. And the sad part is that being in solitary lockdown 23 hours a day will probably be a step UP

for a lot of those poor bastards.

[EFerrari]

3. The Senate has turned into America's crazy uncle.

I'm glad LBJ isn't here to see this mess.

[MzNov]

6. After 8 years of rubber stamping

NOW they all of a sudden need to see a plan?

[EFerrari]

7. Yes, they do! They have no clue how to be an opposition!

[rurallib]

9. Reid's only concern is getting re-elected

sure makes it hard for him to lead or sometimes even follow his party.