Military Leaders Push Congress To Close Gitmo, Stop Fear-Mongering

[babylonsister]

http://tpmlivewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/2009/11/military-leaders-push-congress-to-close-gitmo-stop-fear-mongering.php?ref=fpa

Military Leaders Push Congress To Close Gitmo, Stop Fear-Mongering
Jillian Rayfield | November 18, 2009, 8:52AM


A group of 32 retired military leaders released a letter to Congress today, calling for lawmakers to continue plans to close the detention center at Guantanamo Bay, and to stop fear-mongering about bringing detainees to the U.S. for trial.

The military leaders, some of whom stood behind President Obama when he signed the initial Executive Orders to close Guantanamo Bay and stop the use of torture, said they have "watched with disappointment efforts to engender fear among the American people about the prospect of bringing suspected terrorists to the United States for trial. Our federal justice system has a proven track record of successfully prosecuting terrorists and incarcerating them safely in our prisons."

The American people can have confidence that our judicial and penal institutions are strong and that our military, law enforcement and corrections professionals are second to none. Closing the Guantanamo prison facility will make Americans more secure, both on our own soil and on the battlefields where our service members fight valiantly on our behalf."

The group also pointed out that over 150 convicted terrorists are currently housed in prisons in the U.S. -- and none have ever escaped. "Continued detention of prisoners at Guantanamo provides our enemies with a powerful propaganda weapon which they are using to recruit forces against us, undermining vital counterinsurgency efforts in Afghanistan and Iraq," they said.

The letter comes on the same day that Attorney General Eric Holder is appearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee to discuss the decision to move the detainees, and on the heels of President Obama's admission that Guantanamo will likely not be closed by the intended deadline.

[BOSSHOG]

1. I'm confused

"Patriotic" "Conservative" "Americans." You know, the macho ass kicking rugged individualists are SCARDY CATS when it comes to terrorists and the implementation of Justice. If bush and cheney had done their freaking jobs, this matter would be in the history books.

[sarge43]

2. If those two creatures had been true to their oath of office,

this matter wouldn't have happened, let alone made it to the history books. They did not provide for the common defense nor the general welfare.

And yes they're both poltroons.

[BOSSHOG]

4. I stand corrected

As usual you are right Sarge. If they and their party had been honest there would not have been a bush/cheney administration.

[Echo In Light]

3. Perhaps the first pro-military (sorta) thread I've rec'd

:P