Guantanamo may have to stay open until 2011

[Fleshdancer]

http://www.usatoday.com/news/usaedition/2009-12-23-guantanamo-gitmo-prison_N.htm

WASHINGTON (AP) — The prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, may not close until 2011 because of anticipated appropriation struggles in Congress, the need to change federal law and construction time to upgrade an Illinois facility to hold detainees.

The Thomson Correctional Center may not be purchased from the state until March and will need up to 10 months of construction said Joe Shoemaker, spokesman for Sen. Dick Durbin, who represents Illinois in the Senate.

Congress must appropriate the money for the takeover and construction, and lawmakers wary of moving detainees to the United States could balk at approving the funds. In the Senate, there always is a chance of delaying tactics by senators that could hold up the money for months.

President Obama originally said Guantanamo would close next Jan. 22. While that date proved unrealistic, the president has directed administration officials to move quickly to acquire the maximum security Thomson facility.


:banghead:

[Irreverend IX]

1. The prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, may not close until 2011 because of

opportune timing for the 2012 Presidential campaign.

[FrenchieCat]

2. Because the Scardy Cat Congress wouldn't fund its closing.......

But go ahead and spin.
We don't have enough spinners as it is,
so we need some more, like I need shit in my drawers!

[galileoreloaded]

7. Interesting... Link?? n/t

[FrenchieCat]

14. It's in the 1st sentence of the article posted........

may not close until 2011 because of anticipated appropriation struggles in Congress.

As well,

Senate Democrats reject funding for Guantánamo closure
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/may/20/close-guantanamo-funding-senate-obama

[tekisui]

16. Is it safe to assume, then, that any pledge from Obama should be

paired with an analysis of what Congress will do. He is so powerless in the halls of Congress it seems.

Can't close Gitmo like he wanted-Congress' fault.

Can't get the Health Care Reform with the PO, like he wanted-Congress' fault.

Can't repeal DADT or DOMA-It is up to Congress.

When he lays out his objectives, we would be wise to just ignore them and listen to Congress, right?

[Don Caballero]

3. Out come those who hate the President

They know nothing except to hate President Obama. Why call yourself a Democrat if you hate the Democratic President?

[mullard12ax7]

5. The post is about T O R T U R E

Why don't you learn how to read?

[Don Caballero]

8. I know how to read.

I am merely pointing out that those on DU who blindly hate our President will spin this into the President not coming through on a promise. If it were up to the President Guantanamo would be closed already, but he must contend with the hateful Congress who wish to derail his plans.

[mullard12ax7]

4. Torture is wonderful in a war-mongering country full of war criminals

with "more important" things to do, BARF.

[Don Caballero]

10. Torture is no longer

in America's repertoire. The President came out strong against enhanced interrogations and promised swift justice of those who continued the practice.

[FLAprogressive]

6. Change We Can Believe In

[cali]

9. Actually, this is change I can believe in

I want Gitmo closed.

[fascisthunter]

11. its really getting to be ridiculous

and what is it with folks here trying to bs us... "no, no... you didn't just read, hear or see what you did, it's all a big plan... just trust them".

[FLAprogressive]

12. and you'd think they'd learn....if the date's pushed back once they'll push it back again.

2010 will roll around and they'll push it back to 2013. 2012 rolls around and it'll be pushed back to 2015.

[fascisthunter]

13. Yup... that's what it is looking like

I guess the next election is in the bag, or they'd be a bit more worried about their own base!

[FrenchieCat]

15. yep...you didn't fucking read.

but then, what's fucking new?

Senate Democrats reject funding for Guantánamo closure
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/may/20/close-guantanamo-funding-senate-obama

[Xicano]

17. Campaign Flashback: Obama on Guantanamo

"These folks made a terrific point. We have to stand for human rights and that should be part of the trade equation. It is harder for us to do it when we have situations like Guantanamo where we've suspended habeas corpus to the extent that we are not being true to our values and our ideals. That sends a negative message to the world and it gives us less leverage then when we want to deal with countries that are abusing human rights. So I think its part and partial with a larger program of us restoring the traditions that made this country great and made us admired around the world."

-- Candidate Obama

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dtubc0kFReI#t=1m29s