Poll: Americans Overwhelming Opposed to Closing Gitmo

rockin'robin · 06-02-2009, 11:51 AM

Americans are strongly opposed to shutting the doors of the prison camp at Guantanamo Bay, or moving terrorism suspects to detention centers in the U.S., according to a recent poll.

Americans are strongly opposed to shutting the doors of the prison camp at Guantanamo Bay and moving terrorism suspects to detention centers in the U.S., according to a recent poll.

A USA TODAY/Gallup Poll released Tuesday found that those surveyed oppose the closing of Guantanamo by more than 2-1.

By more than 3-1, respondents oppose moving the detainees to prisons within the U.S., according to the poll.

President Obama signed an executive order in January to close within a year the prison at Guantanamo -- widely perceived by many as a symbol of U.S. abuse and torture around the world.

But critics charge that Obama has jeopardized U.S. national security by deciding to close Guantanamo by January 2010.

And former Vice President Dick Cheney has publicly defended harsh interrogation techniques practiced at Guantanamo, claiming they helped obtain useful information.

The poll surveyed 1,015 adults by phone from Friday through Sunday, and has a margin of error of +/- 3 percentage points.

Poll: Americans Overwhelmingly Opposed to Closing Gitmo - Political News - FOXNews.com

**Jiro** · 06-02-2009, 11:55 AM

so Bush was right for the whole time.......

Who in their right mind would bring and imprison these dangerous terrorists on American soil (the mainland)? To do so is a political suicide! As stated while back - I hope Obama reconsiders his decision to keep Gitmo Camp opened (along with improved oversight regulation and committee).

**KarissaMann05** · 06-02-2009, 12:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jiro

I hope Obama reconsiders his decision to keep Gitmo Camp opened (along with improved oversight regulation and committee).

I second that. Wait see... Hm...

**Foxrac** · 06-02-2009, 12:03 PM

Closing the Gitmo could affect democrats in congress in next 2010 election and we could end up in repeat of 1994 when republican tookover congress to put Obama's job in deeper hell.

Just call congresses and discuss about concern over Gitmo closing and status of democrats.

**Jiro** · 06-02-2009, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Foxrac

Closing the Gitmo could affect democrats in congress in next 2010 election and we could end up in repeat of 1994 when republican tookover congress to put Obama's job in deeper hell.

Just call congresses and discuss about concern over Gitmo closing and status of democrats.

exactly.... if you think Bush Administration bringing Republican Party down is that bad... the prison escape by terrorists on American soil is going to top that by miles and the Democratic Party will have no chance in hell to recover from it for the next election.

rockin'robin · 06-02-2009, 12:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KarissaMann05

I second that. Wait see... Hm...

And I third that....

**Foxrac** · 06-02-2009, 12:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jiro

exactly.... if you think Bush Administration bringing Republican Party down is that bad... the prison escape by terrorists on American soil is going to top that by miles and the Democratic Party will have no chance in hell to recover from it for the next election.

Of course, I'm very scary about what happen and I disagree with republican party by big mile because of gay rights and stem cell.

Did congresses made decision to close the Gitmo or just Obama's choice?

**Jiro** · 06-02-2009, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Foxrac

Of course, I'm very scary about what happen and I disagree with republican party by big mile because of gay rights and stem cell.

Did congresses made decision to close the Gitmo or just Obama's choice?

Obama issued an executive order to shut down Gitmo Camp within a year (end of this year).

link

Quote:

EXECUTIVE ORDER -- REVIEW AND DISPOSITION OF INDIVIDUALS DETAINED AT THE GUANTÁNAMO BAY NAVAL BASE AND CLOSURE OF DETENTION FACILITIES

By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, in order to effect the appropriate disposition of individuals currently detained by the Department of Defense at the Guantánamo Bay Naval Base (Guantánamo) and promptly to close detention facilities at Guantánamo, consistent with the national security and foreign policy interests of the United States and the interests of justice, I hereby order as follows:

**KarissaMann05** · 06-02-2009, 12:27 PM

Personally, I think we should thank him. Why? To ignore detractors at home and abroad, forsaking popularity and the easy road, you see, he made protecting our country is actually his first priority. Therefore, there is no terrorist attacks on our soil since September 11, 2001.

Just saying...

EDIT: Oh yes, I know a lot of anti-Bush people don't feel that way but just a thought... That's all.

**Jiro** · 06-04-2009, 09:49 PM

Dick Cheney - "You've heard endlessly about waterboarding. It happened to three terrorists."

link

Quote:

Dick Cheney says only three terror suspects were ever waterboarded
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President Barack Obama and former Vice President Dick Cheney squared off in dueling speeches on national security on May 21, 2009.

Not surprisingly, Cheney defended the controversial interrogation techniques used during the Bush administration on some terror suspects after the 9/11 attacks. And, he said, despite all the hand-wringing and public debate about waterboarding over the last couple years, the technique was used on only three detainees.

"You've heard endlessly about waterboarding," Cheney said in his address at the American Enterprise Institute. "It happened to three terrorists. One of them was Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, the mastermind of 9/11, who has also boasted about his beheading of Daniel Pearl.

"We had a lot of blind spots after the attacks on our country, things we didn't know about al-Qaida. We didn't know about al-Qaida's plans, but Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and a few others did know.

"And with many thousands of innocent lives potentially in the balance, we did not think it made sense to let the terrorists answer questions in their own good time, if they answered them at all."

Public records support his claim about the three detainees, who collectively were subjected to waterboarding at least 267 times.

The use of waterboarding — an interrogation technique that simulates drowning — was first publicly acknowledged by then-CIA director Michael Hayden during a Senate intelligence hearing on Feb. 5, 2008. He said it was used on three terror suspects in 2002 and 2003.

"Let me make it very clear and to state so officially in front of this committee that waterboarding has been used on only three detainees," Hayden said. "It was used on Khalid Sheikh Mohammed. It was used on Abu Zubaydah. And it was used on (Abd al-Rahim al-)Nashiri. The CIA has not used waterboarding for almost five years."

According to a memo released by the Attorney General's Office in April 2009, waterboarding was removed from CIA’s authorized list of techniques sometime after 2005.

Also in April 2009, the Justice Department released 2005 legal memos that detailed the use of the waterboarding technique in 2002 and 2003, including the revelation that it had been used 183 times against Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, the self-described planner of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Cheney is correct that during a military tribunal in 2007, Mohammed claimed responsibility for the murder of Wall Street Journal reporter Daniel Pearl in Pakistan in 2002.

The memos also noted that the CIA used waterboarding at least 83 times in August 2002 against Abu Zubaydah, described by the CIA as one of Osama bin Laden's key lieutenants.

And lastly, the technique was used on Abd al-Rahim al-Nashiri, the alleged mastermind of the 2000 USS Cole bombing.

In all three cases, Hayden said, "We used it against these three high-value detainees because of the circumstances of the time. Very critical to those circumstances was the belief that additional catastrophic attacks against the homeland were imminent."

There has been no information publicly released that any other terror suspects have been subjected to waterboarding.

"We only know of those three being waterboarded," said Joanne Mariner, a counterterrorism expert with Human Rights Watch. "That's all that's on the public record."

In short, Cheney is on solid ground with this statistic. We rate his statement True.

**Cheri** · 06-04-2009, 10:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rockin'robin

And I third that....

I fourth that. I totally disagree with Obama's decision to close the prison camp, He should really re-think the things he says.

**Maria** · 06-04-2009, 11:07 PM

I opposed against Obama's idea for closin' Gitmo down. It will make a scenario worse. He should think about our children's future and the children's children's future.

**Foxrac** · 06-05-2009, 12:45 AM

I don't support Gitmo closing until Obama would able to find place for detainee in outside of US mainland or keep Gitmo open until all court has issued for all detainee.

I'm concern about 2010 election, ugh.

Hear Again · 06-05-2009, 01:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Foxrac

I don't support Gitmo closing until Obama would able to find place for detainee in outside of US mainland or keep Gitmo open until all court has issued for all detainee.

I agree. Closing Gitmo without having a place to put detainees will only serve to further threaten our national security.

**Jiro** · 06-05-2009, 01:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hear Again

I agree. Closing Gitmo without having a place to put detainees will only serve to further threaten our national security.

they were planning to move them to American mainland - the supermax prisons. That's not what I want.

Hear Again · 06-05-2009, 04:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jiro

they were planning to move them to American mainland - the supermax prisons. That's not what I want.

I don't either.

Frisky Feline · 06-05-2009, 04:23 AM

i wonder why obama do that. :smh:

serena1986 · 06-05-2009, 11:18 AM

because he is the presdent of the country and he have the right to do whatever he want to do for this country and all he want is peace and americans people should feel the time way about this desions to open the posion back up.

Frisky Feline · 06-05-2009, 11:22 AM

i sure hope that obama isn't with the old friend of those peeps at the gitmo. =X

kokonut · 06-06-2009, 10:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by serena1986

because he is the presdent of the country and he have the right to do whatever he want to do for this country and all he want is peace and americans people should feel the time way about this desions to open the posion back up.

It is Congress that vote and pass laws that give the president the option to sign it or veto it. Which is the reason we have the Executive, Legslative, and Judicial branches which is a separation of powers. No one branch of have control over others in terms of powers given to them. Unless you are actually advocating that a president become a dictator and do whatever he/she wants? That would make America even more dangerous and unpredictable. Right now, we are seeing a variety of abuses take place in all three branches. A sad thing to watch when accountability goes completely out the window.

06-06-2009, 11:37 AM

I was personally at Gitmo during my service in the United States Navy. As I understand it this is a strategic location. It is also the location where many of the Navy go for what is called reftra (short for Refresher training). I have been out of the service for several decades and don't know if it is still used for that but the location I still believe is strategic and for that reason alone we should stay there.

Babyface · 06-14-2009, 07:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by serena1986

because he is the presdent of the country and he have the right to do whatever he want to do for this country and all he want is peace and americans people should feel the time way about this desions to open the posion back up.

by apologizing to everybody great prez, cant have peace without war

"the goddess of peace rest gently in the arms of the ready god of war"

**Reba** · 11-15-2009, 02:29 PM

Update:

Quote:

Official: White House Considering Illinois Prison to House Detainees

A White House official says the Obama administration is eyeing an Illinois prison to house some Gitmo detainees.

The Obama administration may buy a near-empty prison in rural northwestern Illinois to house detainees from Guantanamo Bay along with federal inmates, a White House official told Fox News.

The maximum-security Thomson Correctional Facility, about 150 miles west of Chicago, was one of several evaluated by the Federal Bureau of Prisons, and emerged as a leading option to house the detainees.

The administration official, who spoke to Fox News anonymously, noted that no decision has been made.

President Obama wants alleged terrorism suspects from the controversial military-run detention center in Cuba to be transferred to U.S. soil so they can be prosecuted for their suspected crimes.

Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn has been hinting at a possible new use for Thomson, and he issued a statement saying he would hold a news conference Sunday to outline those plans.

Quinn's spokeswoman Marlena Jentz did not return a phone message from the AP Saturday.

But the move has already met some resistance both in Illinois and Washington.

U.S. Rep. Mark Kirk, a Northbrook Republican running for Obama's old Senate seat, circulated a letter among elected officials asking them to write to Obama opposing the plan, saying bringing Guantanamo prisoners to the state would make it a target for terrorist attacks.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell told "Fox News Sunday" that he expects Illinois residents and lawmakers to object and that he and his colleagues will seek to block funding at the federal level.

"Hopefully the Senate and the House will speak on this issue," McConnell said.

Thomson was built by the state in 2001 with 1,600 cells, but budget problems prevented it from fully opening, and it now houses about 200 minimum-security inmates.

It is unclear how many Guantanamo detainees — many held without charges since the beginning of the war in Afghanistan — would be transferred to Illinois or when. Obama initially planned to close the Guantanamo Bay prison by Jan. 22, but the administration is no longer expected to meet that deadline.

If the Federal Bureau of Prisons buys the facility, it would be run primarily as a federal prison, but a portion would be leased to the Defense Department to house a limited number of Guantanamo detainees, the White House official said. Perimeter security at the site would be increased to surpass that at the nation's only Supermax prison, in Florence, Colo., the official said.

Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin, the Senate's second-highest-ranking Democrat, said in a statement Saturday he would support the plan. He said the prison would house fewer than 100 Guantanamo detainees and would have a "significant positive impact on the local economy" by generating more than 3,000 jobs.

Thomson Village President Jerry Hebeler said the move would generate desperately needed revenue for the town of about 500 residents near the Mississippi River.

"It's been sitting there for eight to nine years and our town is like a ghost town," Hebeler said of the prison, adding that a tavern recently closed and a planned housing development fell through. "Everybody moved or got different jobs."

But Kirk and other lawmakers opposed the idea of terrorism suspects being brought to Illinois.

U.S. Rep. Don Manzullo, whose district includes Thomson, said he adamantly opposed the proposal and that he has consistently joined with a majority of his colleagues "in fighting efforts to bring these terrorists onto our shores ... where they could one day be released into our communities."

Guantanamo Bay "is set up to house these dangerous terrorists, and they should stay there," said Manzullo, an Egan Republican who serves on the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Terrorism, Nonproliferation and Trade.

Illinois Rep. Jan Schakowsky, a Democrat, said Kirk and other Republicans were "pandering to irrational fears" and that closing the Guantanamo Bay facility would strengthen national security because al-Qaida used it as a recruiting tool.

Phone and e-mail messages left with Jim O'Connor, a spokesman for Illinois Sen. Roland Burris, were not immediately returned.

Thomson is not the only U.S. town that had hoped to lure Guantanamo detainees. Officials in Marion, Ill., Hardin, Mont., and Florence, Colo., also have said they would welcome the jobs that would be generated.

Official: White House Considering Illinois Prison to House Detainees - FOXNews.com

**sallylou** · 11-15-2009, 02:38 PM

I'm always amazed when self-proclaimed patriotic, religious people approve of torture.

Newly Released Detainee Statements Provide More Evidence Of CIA Torture Program | American Civil Liberties Union

kokonut · 11-15-2009, 02:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reba

Update:

Official: White House Considering Illinois Prison to House Detainees - FOXNews.com

You know what Reba? I think this will seriously backfire on Obama eventually.

**Reba** · 11-15-2009, 02:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sallylou

I'm always amazed when self-proclaimed patriotic, religious people approve of torture.

Newly Released Detainee Statements Provide More Evidence Of CIA Torture Program | American Civil Liberties Union

I read the link but it didn't say anything about "self-proclaimed patriotic, religious people" approving torture. It also didn't say anything about moving the detainees to a mainland USA facility.

kokonut · 11-15-2009, 02:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sallylou

I'm always amazed when self-proclaimed patriotic, religious people approve of torture.

Newly Released Detainee Statements Provide More Evidence Of CIA Torture Program | American Civil Liberties Union

And it potentially threatens our national security. Not only that it gives a green light to find a way to prosecute these CIA members. When it comes to our national security, creating discomfort to get the needed information isn't for the weak minded and emotionally laden people. I rather see that my family and the people around me be safe and secure. Information extraction is a necessary component to our security and survival. Asking pretty please won't work. Amazing how some are willing to dismantle our national security and make it more vulnerable than ever. tsk...

**Jiro** · 11-15-2009, 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kokonut

And it potentially threatens our national security. Not only that it gives a green light to find a way to prosecute these CIA members. When it comes to our national security, creating discomfort to get the needed information isn't for the weak minded and emotionally laden people. I rather see that my family and the people around me be safe and secure. Information extraction is a necessary component to our security and survival. Asking pretty please won't work. Amazing how some are willing to dismantle our national security and make it more vulnerable than ever. tsk...

whatever it takes, right?

**Beowulf** · 11-15-2009, 03:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sallylou

I'm always amazed when self-proclaimed patriotic, religious people approve of torture.

Newly Released Detainee Statements Provide More Evidence Of CIA Torture Program | American Civil Liberties Union

Or detaining someone indefinitely without charging him. Phooey.

kokonut · 11-15-2009, 03:27 PM

And those that we did release? Many of them continued with their terrorist activities or re-joined a known terrorist group. Maybe it would've been better to just shoot them while we had the chance instead of taking them in as prisoners after a raid or firefight.

06-02-2009, 11:51 AM	#1 (permalink)
rockin'robin Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Jacksonville, Florida Posts: 15,293	Poll: Americans Overwhelming Opposed to Closing Gitmo Americans are strongly opposed to shutting the doors of the prison camp at Guantanamo Bay, or moving terrorism suspects to detention centers in the U.S., according to a recent poll. Americans are strongly opposed to shutting the doors of the prison camp at Guantanamo Bay and moving terrorism suspects to detention centers in the U.S., according to a recent poll. A USA TODAY/Gallup Poll released Tuesday found that those surveyed oppose the closing of Guantanamo by more than 2-1. By more than 3-1, respondents oppose moving the detainees to prisons within the U.S., according to the poll. President Obama signed an executive order in January to close within a year the prison at Guantanamo -- widely perceived by many as a symbol of U.S. abuse and torture around the world. But critics charge that Obama has jeopardized U.S. national security by deciding to close Guantanamo by January 2010. And former Vice President Dick Cheney has publicly defended harsh interrogation techniques practiced at Guantanamo, claiming they helped obtain useful information. The poll surveyed 1,015 adults by phone from Friday through Sunday, and has a margin of error of +/- 3 percentage points. Poll: Americans Overwhelmingly Opposed to Closing Gitmo - Political News - FOXNews.com

06-02-2009, 11:55 AM	#2 (permalink)
Jiro Aparecium Deletrius Legil Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: The Soprano State Posts: 60,513	so Bush was right for the whole time....... Who in their right mind would bring and imprison these dangerous terrorists on American soil (the mainland)? To do so is a political suicide! As stated while back - I hope Obama reconsiders his decision to keep Gitmo Camp opened (along with improved oversight regulation and committee). __________________ - Don't forget to buy Jiro's Special Edition Sunglasses for $19.95

06-02-2009, 12:03 PM	#4 (permalink)
Foxrac Need Stormtroopers? Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Zaphias Posts: 32,538	Closing the Gitmo could affect democrats in congress in next 2010 election and we could end up in repeat of 1994 when republican tookover congress to put Obama's job in deeper hell. Just call congresses and discuss about concern over Gitmo closing and status of democrats. __________________ In Moto We Trust

06-02-2009, 12:27 PM	#9 (permalink)
KarissaMann05 Premium Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Salem, Oregon Posts: 6,381	Personally, I think we should thank him. Why? To ignore detractors at home and abroad, forsaking popularity and the easy road, you see, he made protecting our country is actually his first priority. Therefore, there is no terrorist attacks on our soil since September 11, 2001. Just saying... EDIT: Oh yes, I know a lot of anti-Bush people don't feel that way but just a thought... That's all. __________________ "Pragmatic language is a vital social skill that enables the school-aged child to navigate their way through demanding social situations." -- R. Owens

06-05-2009, 12:45 AM	#13 (permalink)
Foxrac Need Stormtroopers? Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Zaphias Posts: 32,538	I don't support Gitmo closing until Obama would able to find place for detainee in outside of US mainland or keep Gitmo open until all court has issued for all detainee. I'm concern about 2010 election, ugh. __________________ In Moto We Trust

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06-04-2009, 11:07 PM	#12 (permalink)
Maria Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: WISCONSIN Posts: 10,309	I opposed against Obama's idea for closin' Gitmo down. It will make a scenario worse. He should think about our children's future and the children's children's future.

06-05-2009, 04:23 AM	#17 (permalink)
Frisky Feline Registered User Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 20,239	i wonder why obama do that. :smh:

06-05-2009, 11:18 AM	#18 (permalink)
serena1986 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: brooklyn,new york where i was born and rasied here so that make me 100% a native newyorker for life and always. Posts: 202 Blog Entries: 5	because he is the presdent of the country and he have the right to do whatever he want to do for this country and all he want is peace and americans people should feel the time way about this desions to open the posion back up.

06-05-2009, 11:22 AM	#19 (permalink)
Frisky Feline Registered User Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 20,239	i sure hope that obama isn't with the old friend of those peeps at the gitmo. =X

06-06-2009, 11:37 AM	#21 (permalink)
rockdrummer Guest Posts: n/a	I was personally at Gitmo during my service in the United States Navy. As I understand it this is a strategic location. It is also the location where many of the Navy go for what is called reftra (short for Refresher training). I have been out of the service for several decades and don't know if it is still used for that but the location I still believe is strategic and for that reason alone we should stay there.

11-15-2009, 02:38 PM	#24 (permalink)
sallylou Potterhead and Janeite Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: My own private Idaho Posts: 6,653	I'm always amazed when self-proclaimed patriotic, religious people approve of torture. Newly Released Detainee Statements Provide More Evidence Of CIA Torture Program \| American Civil Liberties Union __________________

11-15-2009, 03:27 PM	#30 (permalink)
kokonut Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 15,348	And those that we did release? Many of them continued with their terrorist activities or re-joined a known terrorist group. Maybe it would've been better to just shoot them while we had the chance instead of taking them in as prisoners after a raid or firefight.

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