Administration Won't Seek New Detention System

[rmp yellow]

Source: Washington Post

Thursday, September 24, 2009

The Obama administration has decided not to seek legislation to establish a new system of preventive detention to hold terrorism suspects and will instead rely on a 2001 congressional resolution authorizing military force against al-Qaeda and the Taliban to continue to detain people indefinitely and without charge, according to administration officials.

Leading congressional Democrats and members of the civil rights community had signaled opposition to any new indefinite-detention regime, fearing that it would expand government powers and undermine the rule of law and U.S. legal traditions.

The administration's decision avoids a potentially rancorous debate that could alienate key allies at a time when President Obama needs congressional and public support to transfer detainees held at the military prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, to the United States for trial or continued incarceration.

The administration has concluded that its detention powers, as currently accepted by the federal courts, are adequate to the task of holding some Guantanamo Bay detainees indefinitely. And although legal advocacy groups, such as the American Civil Liberties Union, are unhappy with the existing system, they acknowledge that it has enabled some detainees to win their release and limited government power in ways that any new law might not.

Read more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/09/23/AR2009092304427.html?hpid=moreheadlines

[ixion]

1. Once again, Obama leverages Bush-era fascism

:argh: :grr: :puke:

It sucked then, and it sucks even worse now, because I voted for him. :(

[Psephos]

2. One of his strongest campaign promises now converted into Bush's third term. n/t

[Jim Sagle]

3. Oh, stop it, you silly PUMA!

;)

[Psephos]

8. Aww c'mon, you're blowing my cover... lol

[BunkerHill24]

4. Why is Guantanamo Bay still open?

...and why many prisoners been force-fed by feeding tube?

[Solly Mack]

5. K&R

[Mari333]

6. same old bullshit. knr

[november3rd]

7. Dealbreaker

This is an issue that should unite all Americans against the forces of oppression and tyranny in the past and current Administrations.

As Democrats we are obliged to put our safety and comfort on the line to protect the liberties we have been given, entrusted with, and charged with defending from DOMESTIC as well as foreign enemies.

Obama doesn't get a pass on this one.