Closing Guantanamo lockup looks increasingly unlikely

[babylonsister]

Closing Guantanamo lockup looks increasingly unlikely
As the 2008 elections approach, many in the GOP are seizing on the detention unit as a get-tough issue.
By Noam N. Levey, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer
September 24, 2007

WASHINGTON — A lightning rod for international criticism, the U.S. detention facility at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, not long ago appeared headed for closure. President Bush and his top advisors said they wanted to shutter the controversial lockup.

But the latest attempt to shut it down is facing collapse: The detention facility has been embraced by many Republicans as a potent political symbol in their quest to seize the terrorism issue ahead of next year's elections.

"The Republican Party has won two elections on the issue of fear and terrorism. (It's) going to try again."
— Sen. Chuck Hagel, R-Neb.

GOP presidential candidates have jockeyed to demonstrate their support for the prison. One candidate has called for doubling its use. Another praised the menu and health plan offered to detainees.

The Senate Republican leader has accused Democrats of wanting to move terrorists "into American communities."

And the president, who last year told German television that he "would like to end Guantanamo," is now threatening to veto any move to "micromanage the detention of enemy combatants."

"It's a Republican litmus test this year," complained Nebraska Sen. Chuck Hagel, one of the few GOP lawmakers calling for the swift closure of Guantanamo.

more...

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-gitmo24sep24,0,3276008.story?coll=la-home-center

[Inuca]

1. I just saw that

DIsgusting! Are these people insane?!?! "I'd like to double it" - Romney :puke:

[babylonsister]

2. I'm just shaking my head in disbelief. I'm stunned. nt

[Ezlivin]

3. Needed: A Second American Revolution

We'll need to revolt to regain the liberties we've lost. Our ancestors had to fight and die to secure the civil liberties we now so callously discard. Some of us will have to fight and die to regain those liberties.

Oh, wait a second! There's some more OJ news....

[babylonsister]

4. Surprise! Here's the reason why the change of tone about Gitmo:

I guess they want Mukasey confirmed badly.

http://thinkprogress.org/2007/09/24/mukasey-signals-support-for-torture/

Mukasey signals support for torture.

Newsweek reports that in recent private meetings with “hard-liners,” Attorney General nominee Michael Mukasey reassured conservatives that he was committed to the Bush administration’s right-wing ideology:

According to three sources, who asked not to be named discussing the private meetings, Mukasey said that he saw “significant problems” with shutting down Guantánamo Bay and that he understood the need for the CIA to use some “enhanced” interrogation techniques against Qaeda suspects. Mukasey also signaled reluctance with naming a special prosecutor to investigate Bush-administration misconduct, according to one participant.

One “well-connected” conservative who attended the meeting later observed, “Gosh, I’m a little worried that the Democrats might have problems with him.”

[Solly Mack]

5. I never bought Bush saying he would close it

he also claimed "we don't torture"

He's nothing but a liar and has never been anything but a liar.

I'm so ashamed of America.