Republicans embrace Guantanamo lockup

[Lone_Star_Dem]

Source: UPI

WASHINGTON, 24 (UPI) -- The U.S. lockup at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, is unlikely to be closed in 2008 now that many Republicans are praising its use.

Earlier this year, even President George W. Bush and his top advisers spoke of closing the facility, which has been a target of international criticism.

But the latest attempt in Congress to shutter it faces defeat as many Republicans embrace Guantanamo as a symbol of the fight against terrorism, the Los Angeles Times reported Monday.

"It's a Republican litmus test this year," said Sen. Chuck Hagel, of Nebraska, one of the few Republican lawmakers calling for Guantanamo to be closed.

Read more: http://www.upi.com/NewsTrack/Top_News/2007/09/24/republicans_embrace_guantanamo_lockup/2477/

[TwilightGardener]

1. The only people still excited about Gitmo are the Repub candidates--

even the ChimpCo administration isn't all that fond of it. Hagel's right--it's a litmus test for the primary, same as torture is. This helps us, though--I think America is coming to realize what a big black eye these issues are on our international image. Let the GOPers take the low ground, and call for "doubling Gitmo", and waterboarding. It will backfire on them.

[Lone_Star_Dem]

2. I agree

Only the most extreme of their base are for this. The rest are beginning to understand this isn't working out the way they were told it would.

In the end this will cost them votes.

[DrDan]

3. but the freepers still love the idea of a bit of torture . . .

they must have had a very sad childhood . . .

[DBoon]

4. If you don't eat your brussel spouts like a good boy...

Daddy will have to waterboard you

[DrDan]

6. it certainly had to be that kind of punishment-based chidhood

for them to be so absolutely cruel as adults.

"If they are locked up - they must be guilty. The U.S. would never put an innocent behind bars."

[patrioticintellect]

5. It could be shut down

But why do that? It's a facility that can be used for so much that could "benefit" this country and help "assist" foreign policy.

If we really could or should shut it down, Democrats would incessantly be calling for it to be shut down with no fear of how their calls would be handled by Republicans. However, Guantanamo still fits our foreign policy strategy.

[TwilightGardener]

9. Dems are introducing a bill to shut it down.

[Torn_Scorned_Ignored]

7. Wondering if the republicans will like this symbol

But the latest attempt in Congress to shutter it faces defeat as many Republicans embrace Guantanamo as a symbol of the fight against terrorism

[cstanleytech]

8. What the heck

Am I reading it right and Hagel actually admitted the truth?
"The Republican Party has won two elections on the issue of fear and terrorism" and its going to try again, Hagel said."

[patrioticintellect]

10. Hagel should have run for the Republican nomination

But seven years of fear and terrorism have screwed him mentally and physically. That's too bad.

[Jeffersons Ghost]

11. K&R

[annabanana]

12. k&r. . . n/t