President Obama has decided that he can hold detainees for as long as he wants and that Congress granted him that authority when they give Bush the authority to go to war.
This really has to hurt if you are one of those bleeding heart liberals who voted for “change”:
Justice Department spokesman Dean Boyd said that when Congress on Sept. 18, 2001 gave President George W. Bush the authorization to use force against those behind the 9/11 attacks, lawmakers gave President Obama the power to indefinitely detain prisoners captured in that effort.
“Congress has already provided authorization through the 2001 Authorization for the Use of Military Force to detain persons who the president determines planned, authorized, committed or aided the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, persons who harbored those responsible for those attacks, and persons who were part of, or substantially supported, Taliban or al Qaeda forces or associated forces that are engaged in hostilities against the United States or its coalition partners,” Boyd said.
The problem is if you are going to keep these guys indefinitely, where are you going to put them. I guess we could just keep them in Gitmo, since it’s not going to be closed in January…or anytime soon:
They cited legal complications for the delay, but said they were still optimistic about shutting the detention facility for terrorism suspects soon.
The announcement represents a blow to the president, who signed an executive order and set the deadline with great fanfare during his first week in office.
During a signing ceremony at the White House on January 22, Obama reaffirmed his inauguration pledge that the United States does not have “to continue with a false choice between our safety and our ideals.”
Just for the record, Obama has continued renditions, says he can keep detainees for as long as he wants and isn’t closing Gitmo.
That’s some good change you elected there, lefties. Feel dirty yet?
