Obama creates indefinite detention system for prisoners at Guantanamo Bay

[zuperxtreme]

President Obama signed an executive order Monday that will create a formal system of indefinite detention for those held at the U.S. military prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, who continue to pose a significant threat to national security. The administration also said it will start new military commission trials for detainees there.

The announcements, coming more than two years after Obama vowed in another executive order to close the detention center, all but cements Guantanamo Bay's continuing role in U.S. counterterrorism policy.

Administration officials said the president is still committed to closing the prison, although he made no mention of that goal in a short statement Monday. The administration's original plans to create a detention center in the United States and prosecute some detainees in federal court have all but collapsed in the face of bipartisan congressional opposition.

The executive order recognizes the reality that some Guantanamo Bay detainees will remain in U.S. custody for many years, if not for life. The new system allows them the prospect of successfully arguing in the future that they should be released because they do not pose a threat.

"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 said in statement. "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 [federal] Article III Courts - to ensure that our security and our values are strengthened."

But activists on either end of the debate over closing the prison cast the announcement as a reversal.

"It is virtually impossible to imagine how one closes Guantanamo in light of this executive order," said Anthony Romero, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union. "In a little over two years, the Obama administration has done a complete about-face."

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...l?hpid=topnews

I'm pretty split on this. On one side he vowed to close the place, but on the other, some people should be in jail. It depends if they had a fair trial or not, I suppose. If they didn't then where's the Justice? What's stopping the Government from putting anyone on "the list" and holding you indefinitely at Guantanamo?

[Trix Are For Kids]

This reeks of Jeffersonian politics. Really. Think he's pulling a fast swap, or does he have no fucking clue what he's doing?

I think it's got to be some kind of trick. A man doesn't go against his word unless something motivates him to do so.

[Captain Politik]

You guys are all idiots, this mans from Harvard and he understands these ragheads in gitmo should be shot and dumped in the ocean.

He finally understands that even if 50% are innocent inside gitmo, the other 50% could seriously kill thousands of innocents and theres no reason to take the chance. If they bring them in america the court systems woudl cause problems up the ass ( which is why there located in cuba essentially)

[Nero]

You even capitalize Justice, now? End your life. You've made a mess of yourself and forfeited your dignity.

"juliann assage wikileaks freedom democracy amerikkka fuck yeh my political opinions are as slogan based as a rage against the machine album"