For all of the genius and grace of the Obama administration after one year in office, there is one issue that is quite troubling for myself. That is the position of the said administration on the trying of terrorist on American soil and the closing of Guantanamo Bay.
While I agree with many of the progressive positions President Obama and his administration have undertaken such as the stimulus package, the jobs bill, and health care reform; this is one area in which I break fervently with our President. On this issue, President Obama has fulfilled the contemporary stereotype that Democrats are weak on defense issues (Mind you, Woodrow Wilson- World War I, Franklin Delano Roosevelt- World War II, Harry Truman- Korean War, Lyndon Johnson-Vietnam. That assessment of being weak on defense is clearly misguided). However, our current President has taken a softer image on this issue, much to the chagrin of many Americans. The GOP has hit him pretty hard on this as well, and I believe rightfully. This is why.
Now I can agree with the President with wanted to spread human rights to all the marginalized persons of the world. However, terrorists (known or suspected) should not be afforded the same rights that we Americans have fought so vehemently for over the course of 230 years. These terrorist are NOT protected under the umbrella of our constitution and cannot basque in the blessings of our liberties. They are orchestrators of pain, destruction and draconian ideas and practices. Now, the Obama administration wants to try these people in American courts to say that they were given a "fair" hearing. This is absolutely absurd in every sense. This is one area where I can agree with many Republicans.
Guantanamo Bay should be kept open to hold these terrorist (suspected and unsuspected), not permanently however, but until a military tribunal can deal with this military matter. Closing Gitmo and moving these persons to the United States leads to many problems that could be detrimental to major American cities. Let us consider that one of the people escapes from the grasp of our United States government. That leaves us open to a major attack that can be planned from within the country and puts millions of Americans at harm.
This policy is not sound! This policy is not smart! The President and his administration should re-think how they are approaching the issue of National Security, especially when it comes to dealing with the terrorist that they are considering to try and detain on continental American soil.
Just some thoughts....
Bashir Ali
