Guest American Woman Posted July 4, 2012 Report Posted July 4, 2012 Yes Obama has the power to close Gitmo. Stop making excuses for him. No he doesn't. People can criticize him for not being committed enough to trying to make it happen, but he alone does not have that ability - it's not that simple, and he has been met with opposition. Quote
Shakeyhands Posted July 4, 2012 Report Posted July 4, 2012 Yes Obama has the power to close Gitmo. Stop making excuses for him. Ruh Roh Shady... Rong ragain! Quote "They muddy the water, to make it seem deep." - Friedrich Nietzsche
Shady Posted July 4, 2012 Report Posted July 4, 2012 No he doesn't. People can criticize him for not being committed enough to trying to make it happen, but he alone does not have that ability - it's not that simple, and he has been met with opposition. Of course he's been met with opposition. It's a stupid idea. He said he didn't have the authority regarding the Dream Act. But that didn't stop him from issuing an executive order circumventing congress. Quote
GostHacked Posted July 4, 2012 Report Posted July 4, 2012 Are you saying Obama as POTUS has the legal power to close Gitmo? Some of us were not fooled when he said he was going to close GITMO. We knew it was going to fail. Policy is what drives GITMO to remain open. Obama did not have a snowball's chance in hell of closing that place. From what I understand, after election Obama made several steps to begin its closure, but has been blocked by Congress, including stipulations in the "2011 [and 2012] Defense Authorization Bill which contains provisions that place restrictions on the transfer of Guantánamo prisoners to the [uS] mainland or to other foreign countries, thus impeding the closure of the detention facility". Obama signed those bills into law (did he have much of a choice?), but made statements rejecting those stipulations. Obama is simply a puppet, like Bush before. Policy remains and dictates actions of the government on the whole. Quote
Guest American Woman Posted July 4, 2012 Report Posted July 4, 2012 Obama is simply a puppet, like Bush before. Policy remains and dictates actions of the government on the whole. No, he's not "simply a puppet." He's part of our government, which consists of three branches. In other words, he doesn't have the power of a dictator or a monarch back in the days. That doesn't make him a puppet. It simply makes him not totally and solely in control - which is a good thing. And fyi, policies are set by the government, not the other way around. Quote
GostHacked Posted July 4, 2012 Report Posted July 4, 2012 No, he's not "simply a puppet." He's part of our government, which consists of three branches. If he was not a puppet, he would have been able to close a facility like GITMO. But it's the policy of previous administrations and congress to get it going in the first place. And GITMO was an integral part of the War on Terror policy of the US government. Driven heavily by the US military and the NEO-Cons of the Bush Administration. Pull back that curtain. In other words, he doesn't have the power of a dictator or a monarch back in the days. He can detain and kill American citizens without warrant or justification, based on the NDAA. That doesn't make him a puppet. It simply makes him not totally and solely in control - which is a good thing. And fyi, policies are set by the government, not the other way around. He is a puppet. Harper is a puppet. They all bow to the higher power that is the UN. Quote
Guest American Woman Posted July 4, 2012 Report Posted July 4, 2012 If he was not a puppet, he would have been able to close a facility like GITMO. That statement shows a lack of understanding of how our government works. Again. The POTUS is just one of three branches of government. He does not have absolute power. He is a puppet. Harper is a puppet. They all bow to the higher power that is the UN. Quote
bush_cheney2004 Posted July 4, 2012 Report Posted July 4, 2012 That statement shows a lack of understanding of how our government works. Again. The POTUS is just one of three branches of government. He does not have absolute power. Agreed...President Obama has directed policy changes for 'Gitmo through executive order, but he cannot violate legislation passed by the Congress. US presidents just don't have the unchecked power of say....a Canadian prime minister with majority rule. Hundreds of 'Gitmo prisoners have been released and repatriated going back to the Bush administration. Quote Economics trumps Virtue.
Shady Posted July 4, 2012 Report Posted July 4, 2012 No, he's not "simply a puppet." He's part of our government, which consists of three branches. In other words, he doesn't have the power of a dictator or a monarch back in the days. That doesn't make him a puppet. It simply makes him not totally and solely in control - which is a good thing. And fyi, policies are set by the government, not the other way around. He can't close Gitmo for a couple of reasons. One, none of the home countries of the detainees wants them back. Two, part of his plan to close Gitmo involved bringing detainees on to U.S. soil for civilian trials. A highly unpopular idea. He might have been wise as to think things through a little better before announcing such a policy. Regarding dictatorial powers, he's already announced that he's instructed his government not to enforce part of the law as it pertains to illegal immigrants. Last I checked, presdients don't have the power to pick and choose what federal laws are enforced, and they certainly don't have the power to change or re-write law. Quote
PIK Posted July 4, 2012 Report Posted July 4, 2012 (edited) i donated to obama in 08 and i will do so again for this election. we cant let romney win. america has come too far in 4 years of obama. the usa has never been stronger or more respected abroad. i wish obama could be president for another 20 years. maybe they can change that stupid 8 year rule and give obama more time. i am just amazed at how he treats all people equally. LOL America is ready to go bankrupt. The reason america is in real trouble, obama acts like a european leader, no balls to do what has to get done, just playing games to try and get enough votes. Where harper did what he had to ,even if it meant pissing people off. That is why we are #1 and america is done. But you know that and are just trying to be funny. Edited July 4, 2012 by PIK Quote Toronto, like a roach motel in the middle of a pretty living room.
Moonlight Graham Posted July 4, 2012 Report Posted July 4, 2012 (edited) He is a puppet. Harper is a puppet. They all bow to the higher power that is the UN. How do they bow to the UN, in it being a higher power to them? Did Bush bow to thew UN when he spearheaded the invasion of Iraq without UNSC authorization? As AW said, the Prez has power, he is just constrained by the other branches of gov and by the rule of law (yes even UN/international law). He is a puppet in some regards to political forces that helped put him and keep him power, among other considerations, but he isn't 100% completely controlled. Edited July 4, 2012 by Moonlight Graham Quote "All generalizations are false, including this one." - Mark Twain Partisanship is a disease of the intellect.
bush_cheney2004 Posted July 4, 2012 Report Posted July 4, 2012 .... That is why we are #1 and america is done. But you know that and are just trying to be funny. Canada was #1 at indefinite detention via security certificates...long before 'Gitmo or Bush. Quote Economics trumps Virtue.
(Phone).thumb.jpg.165c8315c6251d31b87efa29fe65361b.jpg)
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.