I don't believe GW made any such claim. For instance, I don't think he ever claimed he could hold US citizens under such conditions.
However, if the claims about the conditions under which he was held are accurate, shame on the prison.
If Obama is smart, he'll kick the whole issue right back to Congress, as GW should have done.
These guys are engaged in war against us, so they aren't criminals in the traditional sense. Yet they also aren't honorable POWs, as they are not legal combatants. We need a third category, and the president should leave it up to Congress to decide what that category is and how these guys should be handled.
One thing that is essential. We need a fair way to determine whether an individual falls into this new category. Not a full-blown trial with all the protections awarded a US citizen accused of a crime, but a fair way of sifting the sheep from the goats.
“If Obama is smart, he’ll kick the whole issue right back to Congress, as GW should have done.”
Doesn’t the Constitution hold the president responsible for national defense? Obama has been presented with a great opportunity to demonstrate his willingness to take the terrorist threat seriously.
If Obama is smart he’ll take this one on himself. Come on, Barry, show the citizenry that your not an empty suit.