A confused President Obama’s Signing Of Executive Order To Close GITMO! He was unable to clearly describe the orders he was signing. ~ Wild Thing
Obama Issues Directives on Detainees, Interrogation, Guantanamo (Abortion too)
President Obama on Thursday issued at least three executive orders and one presidential directive relating to national security and one abortion policy order, all reversals of Bush administration policy.
Fox News
WASHINGTON
President Obama, putting his executive pen in his left hand to overrule eight years of Bush administration policy, signed “several” executive orders Thursday, including ones affecting national security and abortion policy.
The national security orders mandate that interrogation techniques in the Army Field Manual be used by all intelligence and law enforcement services; call for a task force to look at closing the detention center in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, within the year; and orders a strategy to be developed for handling detainees in the future. The presidential directive also orders a stay in the case of Ali Al-Marri, the only person being held by the military as an enemy combatant on U.S. soil.
“We intend to win this fight. We’re going to win it on our terms,” Obama said as he signed the orders and the directive in the Oval Office. Obama explained each order before he put his pen to them, in some cases reading them in full, and occasionally solicited input from White House counsel Greg Craig to make sure he was describing them correctly.
The executive order says everyone in custody should be questioned under the Army Field Manual, which is intended for honorable combatants, meaning POWs in a military conflict. The rule would prevent trained interrogators at the CIA from using lawful interrogation techniques against terrorists who have been trained to withstand Army Field Manual techniques.
“The message that we are sending the world is that the United States intends to prosecute the ongoing struggle against violence and terrorism and we are going to do so vigilantly and we are going to do so effectively and we are going to do so in a manner that is consistent with our values and our ideals,” the president said.
According to sources in the law enforcement community, the executive order on interrogation does not declare “enhanced interrogation techniques” to be torture; the order is silent on that.
While the administration has insisted on one interrogation standard, one source says they are thinking about assembling a group within the next 60 days to make recommendations on a set of separate techniques for the intelligence community to use.
Separately, according to a draft of the Guantanamo order, “the prompt disposition” of detainee cases should “precede” the closure of the Guantanamo Bay prison. Whether that means the detainees have to be tried if possible before the closure is still unclear.
The order directs all information regarding the remaining 245 detainees be consolidated in a central repository and will create a panel to review those cases and split the detainees up into three categories.
Category one is comprised of the 70 detainees that President Bush sought to repatriate but couldn’t because no country wants them, and they would likely be tortured at home. The Obama administration believes they can get foreign countries to take them.
Category two is the group of detainees that can be prosecuted under war crimes in Article III courts federal courts designed to address cases that involve citizens of other countries or tried in modified military commissions. This includes Sept. 11 planner Khalid Sheikh Mohammad. The administration would seek a stay on habeas petitions in Article III courts and continuances on the ongoing military commissions.
Category three is made up of detainees who can’t be released and can’t be tried. The thought is to create a panel, which could turn into a national security court, to handle these future highest-value detainees to determine prospective policy since terrorists like Al Qaeda chief Usama bin Laden will continue to be caught.
As for Al-Marri, whose case is before the Supreme Court, the intent is to try to make sure the detainee is tried according to the same rules as others who will be subject to the new orders.
Al-Marri was arrested in Peoria, Ill., a couple of months after the Sept. 11 attacks and is accused of being an al Qaeda operative sent to the United States on Sept. 10, 2001, to take part in another attack.
In 2003, President Bush signed an executive order labeling Al-Marri an “enemy combatant” and removing him from civilian custody. The order made the Defense Department responsible for Al-Marri who has been kept in isolation at the Navy brig in Charleston, S.C. His lawyers argue that the president has no “inherent authority” to hold him without charge for an unlimited time.
Separately, the administration in the afternoon issued a reversal of a ban on federal funding for non-governmental organizations working outside the U.S. that offer abortions or abortion counseling.
Abortion: Obama signed the executive order on the 36th anniversary of the landmark Roe v. Wade Supreme Court ruling that legalized abortion in all 50 states.
Wild Thing’s comment…….
Obama infers that the United States was committing war crimes, by his comments and actions. He states we will now use the military code of justice on matters like this. He grants them full Geneva Convention status by doing so.
This is sooooooo wrong and Obama has no clue how dangerous this is.
“Separately, the administration issued a reversal of a ban on federal funding for non-governmental organizations working outside the U.S. that offer abortions or abortion counseling.”
B.Husseion Obama thinks it is ok to torture and kill and unborn baby but not to torture a terrorist. Many people will die due to the actions of this guy. Obama’s CHANGE – Kill babies – nurture terrorists.
Plus what he has done is a slap in the face to our troops and all they have gone through to capture these terrorists.
OK troops here is your green light to take no prisoners.
B. Hussein is doing nothing less than giving legitimacy to evil, murderous Islamist organizations by recognizing rights in under the Geneva Convention. Terrorists have no rights, but according to this character they have more rights than an innocent unborn child.
Bob A.
The fool orders it closed but doesn’t have a clue on what he’s going to do with the prisoners.
One Shot. One Kill. Why take prisoners if they are only going to be treated like a common criminal? (We’ve seen how well that has worked – 3000 people vaporized)
It’s one thing to take the high ground when you understand the consequences but not when you are basing your actions in ignorance of the situation.
Obama doesn’t understand/comprehend our military or our enemy. This does not ease this Soldiers’ Mom’s worries.
Obamamoron here: Closing GITMO and escalating the war on islamofascism in Afghanistan? WTF? OMG, er, OMA “Oh My Allah?”
Also, did anyone else notice how Obama has a difficult time saying the words, “The Constitution”? He has repeatedly stumbled over them on more than a few occasions.
Well, Obama is off to a running start. I have a hunch he is going to set records for issuing Executive Orders and Directives. It gives him the feel of unfettered power, like a dictator.
American trial lawyers must be celebrating like mad now. These terrorist prisoners are going to have enough lawyers to man an Army Brigade. We American taxpayers, also known by the terrorists as targets, will be footing the bill for these legal eagles. I wonder if some law firm might not take up this isue as double jeopardy for us taxpayers.
Is this disgusting or what. They try to blow us up and we pay for their defense. We should pay for their bullet and thats it. The one between their beady eyes.
It’s about time for the American People to start winking at these Terrorists instead of coddling them.
There is a difference between being a candidate with a big mouth and being the one who has to make a decision and take responsibility for it. Let’s see how quickly Obama closes Gitmo and what he does with each and every current detainee there. Obama will also be responsible for any future terrorist acts that they do as well as any terrorist acts that could have been prevented with legal interrogation techniques that he prevented interrogators from using.
http://www.cartoonstock.com/newscartoons/cartoonists/gfo/lowres/gfon187l.jpg
Alright, here is my recommendation for interrogation. It’s four steps, and it would totally eliminate the need for a prison. Step 1: Capture On Battlefield. Step 2: Extract Info. Step 3: Put 2 Through Their Head. Step 4: Resume Firefight.
Bob A., your so right that is just what he has done.
“giving legitimacy to evil”
BobF., exactly. It is bad enough to close it but at least have a plan, be organized, know step by step how it will be done and where they will be taken etc.
It feels like all he wants to do is sign stuff he has been obsessed with and with no regard to being a leader with a plan while he is doing it. He is a total messs in every way. The absolute worst.
Yankeemom, I agree so much. He is clueless!! Not only about the enemy but has no understand about our military at all.
Darth, yes with that one stroke of the pen he just gave our enemy a pass.
Yankeemom, OH my gosh yesssss. I sure have noticed that. Every time he stumbles on the word Constitution. He hates it so much he can barely say it. hahahhaa
Tom, OMG those are the exact words I said to Nicholas last night.
“I have a hunch he is going to set records for issuing Executive Orders and Directives”
I agree, he is on a roll and he likes it. The power in it the not answering to anyone. Very scary.
Mark, when we are attacked the next time I am sending Obama an email and simply going to say…. why did you let us get attacked?
Yep I will and it would be an honest question. I won’t say anything else so I don’t get in trouble, just those few words and nothing more.
Les, this is very true and it will all fall on his shoulders.
“Obama will also be responsible for any future terrorist acts that they do as well as any terrorist acts that could have been prevented with legal interrogation techniques that he prevented interrogators from using.”
JohnE PFC U.S. Army, winner there yessss.
The economy is going down the toilet and this SOB wants to fund abortions around the world.