Obama Issues Signing Statement Panning Gitmo Transfer Ban

[Tx4obama]

Source: TPM


After signing the defense authorization act this afternoon, President Obama issued a signing statement calling provisions banning the transfer of Guantanamo Bay detainees "a dangerous and unprecedented challenge to critical executive branch authority."

The provisions ban the use of Defense Department funds to transfer Gitmo detainees to certain other countries or to the United States, including for trial.

"The prosecution of terrorists in Federal court is a powerful tool in our efforts to protect the Nation and must be among the options available to us," Obama wrote. "Any attempt to deprive the executive branch of that tool undermines our Nation's counterterrorism efforts and has the potential to harm our national security."

Obama also said that he would work to repeal the provisions and "mitigate their effects."

Read more: http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/01/obama_issues_signing_statement_panning_gitmo_trans.php?ref=fpblg

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Be sure to read the second to the last paragraph of the full article on the link above.

[Tx4obama]

1. And more info on the link below

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/07/obama-objects-to-gitmo-li_n_806080.html

[pacalo]

2. I like that Madison quote...

Ackerman wants to set up an institutional solution to such conflicts in the future. "While we should praise Obama for his self-restraint in the face of Congressional provocation," he explained, "we should recall Madison's warning that 'enlightened statesmen will not always be at the helm.'"

[pnorman]

3. I'm baffled how someone from DU, could in clean conscience unrecommend this thread!

But those freaked out on their own omniscience, will always come up with a plausible pretext.

But hang in there, Tx4obama! This is just a temporary madness that DU is going through, and it'll soon pass!

[Tx4obama]

6. I've been waiting quite awhile ;) n/t

[DeSwiss]

4. Some more of that "change" we can believe in.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=seAR1S1Mjkc">Obama on Presidential Signing Statements

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1UzQqvJ4dPk&NR=1&feature=fvwp">Obama Makes Mistake with Signing Statements

- I know, I know. They were just campaign promises, but still.....

K&R

[rug]

5. So, use the US Marshals to transfer them to a Federal Detention Center to await trial.

Use DoJ funds instead of DoD funds.

[Tx4obama]

7. Yep, the second paragraph from the end of the article on link in the OP says....

In applauding Obama's condemnation of the ban, the ACLU suggests that the President could still use funds from other departments -- such as the Justice Department or the Department of Homeland Security -- to transfer prisoners.

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