Democrats balk on closing Gitmo. Refuse to provide money to do so.

[ProfJohn]

Seems that the Democrats are becoming more and more like Bush every day when it comes to the war on terror.

Can anyone name a major difference between Bush's policies at the END of his term compared to what Obama and the Democrats are now doing?

We're not going to close Gitmo, not going to release the picture, not going to end the tribunals, not going to leave Iraq, not going to leave Afghanistan. Am I missing some stuff?

Democrats concede on Guantanamo Bay
In a clear setback for President Barack Obama, Senate Democrats moved Tuesday to both wipe out $80 million in new funding for the closing the Guantanamo detention facility and bar the administration from moving prisoners to U.S. soil until there is a more detailed plan provided to lawmakers.

Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Daniel Inouye (D-Hawaii) confirmed the decision, which follows intense pressure from Republicans going into debate over a $91.3 billion wartime spending bill expected to come to the floor late Tuesday.

?We?ll wipe out all the money,? Inouye said, ?And I?ll put in a provision that says none of the funds in this bill or any other bill can be used to pay for the transfer of detainees from Guantanamo to the United States.?

Inouye held out the option that Obama could still seek funding as part of the regular Defense and Justice Department appropriations bills for the new fiscal year that begins Oct. 1. But at this stage, securing the money now?without an approved plan?was a ?non-starter,? he said.

Following House debate last week on the same bill, Obama is left with no money and less flexibility than when he first made his funding request this spring.

The wholesale retreat heightens the importance of a Thursday speech by Obama when he is expected to address the Guantanamo issue. At a time when new polls actually show the president riding high on national security issues, Guantanamo has proved especially nettlesome.

This was well illustrated by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid?s seemingly contradictory comments following a Democratic caucus luncheon Tuesday. Reid said that closing Guantanamo was the right decision but ?We will never allow terrorists to be released in the United States.? Asked next, if he could see a day when Guantanamo detainees might be transferred to prisons on American soil, Reid refused to clarify his remarks. ?We don?t want them around,? he said.

In recent days, Obama has sent mixed signals himself as he sorts through the complexities of how to bring to trial the remaining prisoners. Republicans have used this confusion to play on the localized fears and emotions of voters about prisoners being transferred to prisons in their states.

?Obama hasn?t done us any favors on this,? said one Democratic leadership aide. ?He?s a little of this, a little of that. The Republicans have one compelling message.?


Read more: "Democrats concede on Guantanamo Bay - David Rogers - POLITICO.com" - http://www.politico.com/news/s...7.html#ixzz0G1fqgeSd&A

edit-fixed the quoting.

 

[OCGuy]

Dont you get it? Obama's gitmo is nothing like Bu$h's.


Neither are his tribunals.


Neither are his wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.


Neither are his bailouts to insolvent corporations.


Neither are his strikes on sovereign beloved patriot soil.


Neither are his expelled homosexuals from the Armed Services as CIC.


Neither are his FISA votes.


Neither are his torture evidence coverups.

 

[First]

Well, since they're already withdrawing troops from Iraq, doing a far better and broader job on economic bailouts, energy, education, stem cell research, and will of course close Guantanamo despite a temporary setback, yeah I'd say he's nowhere near as bad as Bush. Then again, the OP got the war, 06/08 elections, and the recession all wrong. I guess this will be yet another feather in the cap?

 

[jpeyton]

I didn't realize Prof was so adamant about Gitmo being closed.

In fact I thought he wanted it to stay open.

 

[Whoozyerdaddy]

I see the lib apologists chiming in...

Funny how you all thought this guy was running on Hope (TM) and Change (TM) and yet, all we seem to be getting is more of the same. A crippling amount more...

Of the same.

Obama is like all the worst parts of Bush x10 but with a buttery soft way of giving a tele-prompted speech.

Yay.

This is why I don't read the news anymore. This is why I don't follow politics anymore. At this point I'm convinced that Obama was sent to us directly from a very frustrated God. First he gave us Clinton in the hopes that we'd wake up and make our elected officials responsible for their actions.

Then he gave us a Republican controlled congress.

Then he gave us a Republican controlled congress AND Bush! Surely that would wake up the populace and make them realize that they need to take responsibility for who they put in charge... but nooooo... we elected him again. *face palm*

So in a last ditch desperate attempt to make us all wake up and smell the coffee and realize that when it comes to our public leaders, choosing someone with substance is actually more important than falling for slogans... he put Dems in charge of everything and a good looking empty suit in the oval office.

I'm guessing God's next move is full-on super nova. Grab that etch-a-sketch and give it a great big shake. 'Cause we obviously don't get it.

 

[Rangoric]

Wait, Obama is being blamed for people other than Obama not wanting to do something?

Really? Did I miss something?

 

[seemingly random]

Originally posted by: Rangoric
Wait, Obama is being blamed for people other than Obama not wanting to do something?

Really? Did I miss something?

I think repugs are lamenting not having caribou barbie waiting in the wings. They miss the spineless bush so much that they wish barbie could have the chance to trump his failures. It's ok for a repug leader to fail if he spouts acceptable values.

And, there's the fact that they are just a bunch of crybabies in disbelief that their leaders have been exposed and kicked out.

Obama could end world hunger and eliminate all known diseases on the planet and they would still try to find a way to describe him as a failure. Something I predict that he will fail at is curing repug stupidity and avariciousness - I'm afraid that's inbred.

 

[teclis1023]

Unfortunately, I've been quite disappointed so far with Obama's unwillingness to execute the change that he promised.

I voted for him because I wanted a change from the Bush administration. I hope he'll sack up sometime soon and bring that change.

 

[theflyingpig]

Originally posted by: Whoozyerdaddy
I see the lib apologists chiming in...

Funny how you all thought this guy was running on Hope (TM) and Change (TM) and yet, all we seem to be getting is more of the same. A crippling amount more...

Of the same.

Obama is like all the worst parts of Bush x10 but with a buttery soft way of giving a tele-prompted speech.

Yay.

This is why I don't read the news anymore. This is why I don't follow politics anymore. At this point I'm convinced that Obama was sent to us directly from a very frustrated God. First he gave us Clinton in the hopes that we'd wake up and make our elected officials responsible for their actions.

Then he gave us a Republican controlled congress.

Then he gave us a Republican controlled congress AND Bush! Surely that would wake up the populace and make them realize that they need to take responsibility for who they put in charge... but nooooo... we elected him again. *face palm*

So in a last ditch desperate attempt to make us all wake up and smell the coffee and realize that when it comes to our public leaders, choosing someone with substance is actually more important than falling for slogans... he put Dems in charge of everything and a good looking empty suit in the oval office.

I'm guessing God's next move is full-on super nova. Grab that etch-a-sketch and give it a great big shake. 'Cause we obviously don't get it.

I agree completely with your post. Everyone should read it, and keep a copy beside their bed to recite before and after sleeping. The part I bolded is especially important, as it highlights the true nature of Obama. I have been saying these things from the start, but few listen. It seems to me that many are blinded by their own foolishness. I can only hope that they will read and understand what you and I have written. We have written the truth. Everyone knows this.

 

[First]

It's really not hard to look up exactly how starkly different this administration has been from the previous one. The bailouts are larger and exponentially more far-reaching (common stock purchases, warrants, etc.). The mandate for fuel standards and energy independence is much more aggressive (2020 Bush standard moved up to 2016) and his Energy Secretary, Cho, is exponentially more aware and concerned with climate change than any cabinet member Bush ever appointed. He released torture memos Bush simply wouldn't. He set a timetable to withdraw from Iraq and there's no indication it will change substantially. Guantanamo will inevitably be closed making this another bumpable thread. This doesn't include his litany of differences on social issues, including abortion, stem cell research, etc. About the only thing Obama has in common with Bush is that they agree somewhat closely on illegal immigration.

Really now, how hard is it to visit the Library of Congress online or Google a few news stories regarding the policy changes? That's the only explanation, or perhaps mental impairment of some sort? Blind partisanship? Boredom? :laugh:

EDIT: Obama has sucked horribly on civil liberties though, adopting part of the Bush admin's stance. Repubs predictably quiet when Bush instituted them, at least libs are tearing him a new one over this. Hopefully he reassesses.

 

[Robor]

Another foolish and dishonest thread by PJ? That's shocking.

 

[Bateluer]

They balked because they tried to close Gitmo without any plans to move the prisoners. They had no idea what to do with them, some of which are seriously dangerous and shouldn't be allowed to roam free to plan the murders of more innocent people.

 

[RKDaley]

I saw a Rep being interview regarding this. The explanation was that Congress Dems want a seat at the table concerning the plans to close Gitmo. They felt shut out the last 8 years because of all the signing statements and executive orders Bush employed. They wanted a say in how this would be handled, and the way to do so was to withhold the money. Apparently, the plan is still on for Gitmo to be closed, after all the details are worked out.

I don't get how Pres. Obama is getting the 'OMGNOHOPECHANGEEEEEEK!' blame here. Many claim he's some dictator, yet when his party votes against his plans by withholding money, it's his fault for not being a dictator?
:roll:

 

[charrison]

Originally posted by: Bateluer
They balked because they tried to close Gitmo without any plans to move the prisoners. They had no idea what to do with them, some of which are seriously dangerous and shouldn't be allowed to roam free to plan the murders of more innocent people.

Reality is a bitch.

 

[Red Dawn]

Originally posted by: Robor
Another foolish and dishonest thread by PJ? That's shocking.

He's the "Phokus" of the Right.

 

[SecPro]

Originally posted by: charrison

Originally posted by: Bateluer
They balked because they tried to close Gitmo without any plans to move the prisoners. They had no idea what to do with them, some of which are seriously dangerous and shouldn't be allowed to roam free to plan the murders of more innocent people.

Reality is a bitch.

It is isn't it. Nothing like it to make a someone who's only skill is giving a good speech look like a total idiot..

 

[kage69]

I saw a Rep being interview regarding this. The explanation was that Congress Dems want a seat at the table concerning the plans to close Gitmo. They felt shut out the last 8 years because of all the signing statements and executive orders Bush employed. They wanted a say in how this would be handled, and the way to do so was to withhold the money. Apparently, the plan is still on for Gitmo to be closed, after all the details are worked out. I don't get how Pres. Obama is getting the 'OMGNOHOPECHANGEEEEEEK!' blame here. Many claim he's some dictator, yet when his party votes against his plans by withholding money, it's his fault for not being a dictator?

More GOP hypocrisy FTW!

 

[kage69]

It is isn't it. Nothing like it to make a someone who's only skill is giving a good speech look like a total idiot..

Hey c'mon, this thread isn't about Bush, or his undeserved plaudits.

 

[boomerang]

Originally posted by: seemingly random

Originally posted by: Rangoric
Wait, Obama is being blamed for people other than Obama not wanting to do something?

Really? Did I miss something?

I think repugs are lamenting not having caribou barbie waiting in the wings. They miss the spineless bush so much that they wish barbie could have the chance to trump his failures. It's ok for a repug leader to fail if he spouts acceptable values.

And, there's the fact that they are just a bunch of crybabies in disbelief that their leaders have been exposed and kicked out.

Obama could end world hunger and eliminate all known diseases on the planet and they would still try to find a way to describe him as a failure. Something I predict that he will fail at is curing repug stupidity and avariciousness - I'm afraid that's inbred.

Are you guys still afraid of Palin? I'd have thought you'd have gotten over that by now. But hey, I shouldn't say much because when I think of the succession of power at the top, I don't know whether to laugh, cry or cower in fear.

Biden - what a horses ass this guy is. Can't keep his mouth shut and is continually stepping on his dick. I hope they've decided they need to lock him in his office every day with a guard outside the door to keep him from learning something and then running his mouth off about it. It would probably be better to put him on an indefinite vacation.

Pelosi - if her lips are moving she's lying. Third from the top and she can't remember what she says from one day to the next. I've nicknamed her Albatross. Because she's hanging around Obama's neck pulling him further down with each passing day.

The whole administration is like a bizzarro version of Barnum and Bailey's three ringed circus. Lots of smoke and mirrors. The U.S. taxpayers walking the high-wire but with no net. A myriad of clowns but the miniature clown cars haven't arrived yet. Some magic acts with the main one being "The Amazing Disappearing Money". Running the ticket office is a guy who can't count. Let's not forget the ringmaster himself - able to juggle as many balls as China is willing to pay for!

If you want to throw your full support behind these guys you can, but I'm reminded of the adage that you're judged by the company you keep.

 

[PokerGuy]

Originally posted by: Red Dawn

Originally posted by: Robor
Another foolish and dishonest thread by PJ? That's shocking.

He's the "Phokus" of the Right.

LOL. Ouch.

 

[Doc Savage Fan]

Originally posted by: Red Dawn

Originally posted by: Robor
Another foolish and dishonest thread by PJ? That's shocking.

He's the "Phokus" of the Right.

Nope...Winnar was the "Phokus" of the right. The only difference being that Phokus is still allowed to post.

 

[Red Dawn]

Originally posted by: Doc Savage Fan

Originally posted by: Red Dawn

Originally posted by: Robor
Another foolish and dishonest thread by PJ? That's shocking.

He's the "Phokus" of the Right.

Nope...Winnar was the "Phokus" of the right. The only difference being that Phokus is still allowed to post.

If winnar wasn't the returning banned member zendari he'd still be posting his drivel.

 

[Stuxnet]

Originally posted by: teclis1023
Unfortunately, I've been quite disappointed so far with Obama's unwillingness to execute the change that he promised.

I voted for him because I wanted a change from the Bush administration. I hope he'll sack up sometime soon and bring that change.

:thumbsup:

I (reluctantly) voted for Obama, as well. I couldn't figure McCain out. I tried to vote for him, but I just couldn't.

So I convinced myself that Obama was the right way to go. A new face with a splash of novelty and convincing mantra of change. That sure wore off fast.

 

[mugs]

Originally posted by: PokerGuy

Originally posted by: Red Dawn

Originally posted by: Robor
Another foolish and dishonest thread by PJ? That's shocking.

He's the "Phokus" of the Right.

LOL. Ouch.

Used to be that being compared to dmcowen was the biggest insult here... pretty sad for Phokus that he's replaced dmcowen.

 

[seemingly random]

Originally posted by: boomerang

Originally posted by: seemingly random

Originally posted by: Rangoric
Wait, Obama is being blamed for people other than Obama not wanting to do something?

Really? Did I miss something?

I think repugs are lamenting not having caribou barbie waiting in the wings. They miss the spineless bush so much that they wish barbie could have the chance to trump his failures. It's ok for a repug leader to fail if he spouts acceptable values.

And, there's the fact that they are just a bunch of crybabies in disbelief that their leaders have been exposed and kicked out.

Obama could end world hunger and eliminate all known diseases on the planet and they would still try to find a way to describe him as a failure. Something I predict that he will fail at is curing repug stupidity and avariciousness - I'm afraid that's inbred.

Are you guys still afraid of Palin? I'd have thought you'd have gotten over that by now. But hey, I shouldn't say much because when I think of the succession of power at the top, I don't know whether to laugh, cry or cower in fear.
...

No, I'm not afraid of palin. What I am afraid of is that repugs will nominate someone who is wholly unqualified again. This I see happening easily. I think they're the ones who hate america. I saw the palin nomination as an "up yours, and you'll like it if we say so" to america.