Posted on 03/07/2011 4:02:24 PM PST by jazusamo
Washington (CNSNews.com) – President Barack Obama has ended a two-year ban on military trials for terrorism suspects at the Guantanamo Bay detention center, signing an executive order Monday, reversing a policy put in place shortly after he took office.
“From the beginning of my Administration, the United States has worked to bring terrorists to justice consistent with our commitment to protect the American people and uphold our values,” Obama said in a statement Monday. “Today, I am announcing several steps that broaden our ability to bring terrorists to justice, provide oversight for our actions, and ensure the humane treatment of detainees.”
Obama stressed the administration would still consider trying terror suspects in civilian courts, a point of major controversy, as Attorney General Eric Holder initially announced that 9/11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed would be tried in the United States, a trial that still has not happened.
“I strongly believe that the American system of justice is a key part of our arsenal in the war against al Qaeda and its affiliates, and we will continue to draw on all aspects of our justice system – including Article III Courts – to ensure that our security and our values are strengthened,” Obama’s statement on Monday said. “Going forward, all branches of government have a responsibility to come together to forge a strong and durable approach to defend our nation and the values that define who we are as a nation.”
Defense Secretary Robert Gates issued an order rescinding his January 2009 suspension on swearing and referring new charges in the military commissions, according to the White House. New charges in military commissions have been suspended since Obama announced his review of detainee policy shortly after taking office in 2009.
A White House fact sheet issued Monday said, “In recent months, some in Congress have sought to undermine this process. In December, Congress enacted restrictions on the prosecution of Guantanamo detainees in Federal courts. The Administration opposes these restrictions as a dangerous and unprecedented challenge to Executive authority to select the most effective means available to bring terrorists to justice and safeguard our security.
“The Executive Branch possesses the information and expertise necessary to make the best judgment about where a particular prosecution should proceed, and Congress’s intrusion upon this function is inconsistent with the long-standing and appropriate allocation of authority between the Executive and Legislative branches,” the fact sheet said.
“Reverses Position”- seems to me 0’s been doing a lot of position reversing. Call him what he is: a lightweight flip-flopper TV star.
Hey, he had to first make sure there would be a kinder, gentler, gayer Marines
Now we know where Bradley Manning’s flip flops ended up.
Yep, I don’t even like to think about him and his two lapdogs Gates and Mullen on that issue.
LLS
You said it better than me.
The pirates should be tried by military tribunal as well..while still at sea on a USN vessel. Then executed. Simple.
I thought the new gay Navy would proposition them. Naw, that would be rude to Moose.
Everything, and I mean every thing, obama says seems to have an "expiration date." Beyond that, who knows, he can, has, and probably will reverse himself.
If I was Michelle, I'd be worried about the expiration date on the wedding vows...
I'm with you there. The only thing I'd add is do it all on the same day. Why waste food/quarters on dead men?
A big “See! I Told You So!” moment from Rush tomorrow!
Obama here is making a direct challenge to the
other legs of our constitutional system, funny
he didn’t feel this way when someone else was
President.
Yeah! ..and son of a Harvard-educated drunken multi-wife goat-herder.
LMAO........thanks. I haven’t laughed this hard in awhile.
Thank you, Jesus!
When Obama does something right, it should be acknowledged.
He still reserves the right to try Gitmo detainees in civilian courts. That may be a face-saving move. Hopefully, that will not happen.
This is all about 2012.
Wow who saw that coming??? /s
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