President Obama has pledged to close down the U.S. Naval Base in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba (Gitmo) within a year. This decision was made in an effort to boost US goodwill throughout the world, and it has succeeded in that regard. Lacking, though, is the careful planning and supporting logistical analysis.
Fort Sill near Lawton has been considered as a possible relocation site for Gitmo detainees. This could raise numerous problems in Oklahoma. The potential relocation of detainees would cause dissent among many Oklahomans, and also endanger the communities in the event of escape. Most likely, though, this move would cause the perception of weakening national security, because the transport and lodging of terrorists on American soil could pose potential dangers.
Oklahoma lawmakers have expressed their concerns over such a decision. Rep Mary Fallin, R-Dist. 5, in a press release said she “will do all [she] can to make sure…that none of the terrorists will be housed in our state, even for one night.”
These detainees, if they are confirmed as terrorists, should be held in foreign countries, because they collectively represent an inherent threat to the US. However, if we are to use rendition to export these terrorists to foreign countries, President Obama’s executive order must be amended to ban the use of torture in the context of extraordinary rendition.
Currently, the executive order only applies to detainees “in the custody or under the effective control of an officer, employee or other agent of the U. S. Government, or detained within a facility owned, operated, or controlled by a department or agency of the United States, in any armed conflict.” If these detainees were sent to foreign prisons, the ban on torture would not apply.
This loophole allows the US intelligence to use torture as it had in Gitmo, only under a different country’s jurisdiction. This clause does not end torture for Gitmo detainees – it merely tries to soothe our American conscience.
If we are to foster international goodwill toward America, it may be important to end the practice of extraordinary rendition as well as banning torture under American authority.
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I wish everyone would settle the down and think about this one.
We had Timothy McVeigh locked up for years, and no one raised a stink.
Oklahoma has child molesters and serial killers by the dozens locked up -- with the potential to escape -- and no one bats an eyelash.
Why? Because we have been told that's where they belong.
Gitmo detainees aren't the worst of the worst... they are the ones that we don't know how to deal with. Our laws don't currently permit us to put them in our jails.
It's a modern-day Chateau D'lf, and it must be shut down.
The plebs, who have been made to be frightened by these mysterious terrorists, need to face them head on and want to have them in their backyard. What better place to keep an eye on them?
I'm from Lawton. Ft. Sill is perfect -- much better than the embarrassing Gitmo.
Whiners need to stop raising fear about the potential dangers.
Close Gitmo Now! Git 'er done!
-Bubba
It think closing Guantanamo is fine. Why keep prisioners in another country and have moral issues on hoe you treat them under another administration. Bush knew what was going on and knew it was illegal (I think he likes Jack Bauer style). This is America and everyone is going to grip (well those that think they have a reason too.) That means I am not going to worry about it and just let those who whine, whine.
JWade,
A. With the majority of Oklahoma legislators fervently opposing the transfer of Guantanamo detainees to Oklahoma, and the US in general, bringing any of these detainees to OK now is merely a pipe dream. I do think you bring up an interesting point though; "The plebs, who have been made to be frightened by these mysterious terrorists, need to face them head on and want to have them in their backyard." Indeed, it is true that we as American citizens and residents shouldn't let terrorist tactics scare us from our daily lives, but (and forgive me here if I am assuming too much) I don't think most Americans want terrorists living in their communities.
B. If housing these terrorists brings potential dangers and possible legal complications, its definitely better to house these people somewhere else to nullify the aforementioned problems.
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