Ron Radosh

June 28th, 2009 4:57 pm

How to Deal with Terrorists: Obama Channels George W. Bush

With the Obama administration promising to close Guantanamo, it has become apparent that the President and his advisors have suddenly realized that they have left themselves no wiggle room when it comes to figuring out what to do with dangerous terrorists who previously would have been confined there.

Hence, The Washington Post reports that the administration is preparing an executive order that would give it the authority to incarcerate suspects indefinitely. If this sounds to readers somewhat similar to the policy candidate Obama fiercely attacked as repressive Bush administration policy, that is because it is. As the Post column explains, “Such an order would embrace claims by former president George W. Bush that certain people can be detained without trial for long periods under the laws of war.” The article also claims that the administration has the approval of civil liberties group for the new strategy: ” ‘Civil liberties groups have encouraged the administration, that if a prolonged detention system were to be sought, to do it through executive order,’ the official said. Such an order could be rescinded and would not block later efforts to write legislation, but civil liberties groups generally oppose long-term detention, arguing that detainees should be prosecuted or released.”

The reason why the administration has moved in this direction is clear. It turns out that after reviewing the cases of those currently held at Guantanamo, authorities realized that half of the cases cannot be tried in either military commissions or prosecuted in federal court, because the evidence against them is highly classified and has been provided by foreign intelligence services. As the news report notes: “Three months into the Justice Department’s reviews, several officials involved said they have found themselves agreeing with conclusions reached years earlier by the Bush administration: As many as 90 detainees cannot be charged or released.” In other words, the Bush administration had good reason to adopt its policy on dangerous detainees. And the Obama administration is evidently worried that pending Congressional legislation could take control away from the White House, and result in putting the rights of suspected terrorists ahead of protecting national security.

This report, appearing in yesterday’s paper, enraged Obama supporters on the Left. Josh Marshall’s “Talking Points Memo” (TPM) accused the administration of “a tendency to mimic the Bushies on war on terror tactics.” And the website contradicted the administration claim that they have been encouraged by civil liberties groups. Reporter Zachary Roth went to find out what they thought to a group called The Center for Constitutional Rights. He was told by a CCR staff member that “prolonged imprisonment without trial is exactly the Guantanamo system that the President promised to shut down. Whatever form it takes – from Congress or the President’s pen – it is anathema to the basic principles of American law and the courts will find it unconstitutional.”

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21 Comments

1. David Thomson:

“…a welcome shot of wisdom as President Obama comes face to face with reality”

President Obama may cynically only be responding to the awful poll numbers on this issue. His motives, though, are of secondary importance. We should be minimally satisfied that Obama is doing the right thing regardless of the reason. This is something of a bright spot in his administration. Obama ceases listening to leftist ideologues if their wishes are substantially unpopular.

The Left refuses to believe that dark skinned individuals are truly a threat. They are perceived victims of Western society. Keeping these individuals incarcerated will therefore only guarantee to increase their anger.

Jun 28, 2009 - 6:51 pm 2. Pajamas Media » Barack Obama Channels George W. Bush on Terrorism:

[...] Read the entire piece here. [...]

Jun 30, 2009 - 12:33 am 3. PunditKix:

Ron Radosh » How to Deal with Terrorists: Obama Channels George W. Bush…

Trackback from PunditKix.com…

Jun 30, 2009 - 4:00 am 4. berto de los santos:

yeah. that is an example that former US presidents keep silent on their successors decisions. Easy to complain but hard to defend! Experience yourself Mr. Obama. Always respect your former president. He was elected democratic like you. So also respect him like you like to be treated yourself…

Jun 30, 2009 - 4:29 am 5. "progressive"watch:

With Obama there is always a cloud of red behind every silver linning.

Jun 30, 2009 - 4:29 am 6. Barbara:

Should someone apologize to George W.?

Jun 30, 2009 - 4:56 am 7. Eric Florack:

Nice piece, Ron.
As you will doubtless know, I posted a bit here last January that essentially predicted all this would happen. Nice to have such a well-written confirmation of that opinion.

My regards, sir.

Jun 30, 2009 - 6:10 am 8. Mr. M:

“The reason why the administration has moved in this direction is clear. It turns out that after reviewing the cases of those currently held at Guantanamo, authorities realized that half of the cases cannot be tried in either military commissions or prosecuted in federal court, because the evidence against them is highly classified and has been provided by foreign intelligence services. As the news report notes…”

Total BULL. And just who says this evidence is “highly classified”, and for what reason would it be?

Or are we just supposed to believe a government that has lied to us every step of the way? They lied us into this war and they lie as for our reasons to stay.

I don’t believe obama anymore than I did bush. They’re both war-criminals and should stand side by side with ropes around their necks.

Jun 30, 2009 - 6:36 am 9. antaine:

““…a welcome shot of wisdom as President Obama comes face to face with reality”

President Obama may cynically only be responding to the awful poll numbers on this issue.”

…or have decided being able to incarcerate people indefinitely without trial could be ‘useful’ to him.

Why is it I was comfortable with GWB having this policy but I’m scared to death that O does (expecially after seeing what qualifies as an “extremist” in his book (and what doesn’t))?

Jun 30, 2009 - 7:26 am 10. fear Obama:

The Rasmussen Reports daily Presidential Tracking Poll for Tuesday shows that 31% of the nation’s voters now Strongly Approve of the way that Barack Obama is performing his role as President. Thirty-three percent (33%) Strongly Disapprove giving Obama a Presidential Approval Index rating of -2. That matches the lowest level yet recorded.

Trolls-

Please explain to us why your Bro. is in a hole?

And it has only been 6 months.

Can’t wait until the Congressional mid term elections.

He will be lower that a well diggers A$$

Jun 30, 2009 - 7:47 am 11. Delia:

DUN DUN DUNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN!

Ain’t so ‘easy’ being an ‘American Idol’ when it comes down to actual ISSUES, is it meezter prezzydent?

Jun 30, 2009 - 8:08 am 12. Delia:

4. Ellen K:

“Ruh-Roh…Time to call Scooby Doo.”

lol! Scooby snack for everyone [name, number, mother's maiden name and social security required first though].

Scooby snack attack!

Ahem. *clears throat*

0bama’s teleprompter redaction on Gitmo is just another sign that d00fus is clueless and especially so with regards to terrorists.

When the first nuke hits U.S. soil [and mark my words, it WILL HAPPEN], 0bama will be dumbfounded. His ‘apology’ tour will be the mockery of all jokes. His ‘gallows’ humor will not bode well when nuclear fallout kills TAX-PAYERS.

Jun 30, 2009 - 8:14 am 13. Don:

So, after authorizing the procedure, for eight years democrats cried wolf about those “fascist” republicans jailing Islamic “freedom fighters” for the duration, and without access to the courts. Well, they now have access to the courts, but they can’t be tried; no chain of evidence and no Miranda warnings! Personally, I was always more worried about those “fascist” democrats suspending the constitution. It was the progressive democrats, after all, under FDR that ordered the American Japanese jailed in concentration camps during WW2. I suppose the Japanese had access to the courts too. Isn’t FDR and his policies President Obama’s stated role model and goals? Speaking of anti-fascist coups detats, the Honduran judiciary, congress, and the military, under their Supreme Court’s orders, just removed the leftist Honduran president for attempting to hold an illegal referendum to get another term in office. Rather than an illegitimate coups detat, President Obama’s complaint, it looks like a legitimate exorcise in judicial procedure, carried out by the military under judicial writ. The president’s replacement is a Honduran congressmen chosen by congress. Looks like an express impeachment to me, no wonder Obama’s nervous about a president getting the boot for violating the law. Isn’t providing humanitarian U.S. government funds to Hamas, the rulers of Gaza and a US listed terrorist organization, a violation of U.S law? Or, are we operating under the Nixon doctrine: it can’t be illegal because the President say’s it’s legal?

Jun 30, 2009 - 10:44 am 14. Marc Malone:

Ruh-roh, indeed! You mean Bush was right on foreign affairs? Gasp! This must be just infuriating Obama himself. Gtmo? Check. Iran? Obama’s policy officially dead? Check. Staying out of Pakistan? Check. The Surge worked? Check. Freedom in Iraq? And spreading to Iran? Check. Europe rejecting the kinder, gentler Obamerica and its new economic policies? Check. North Korea? Ugh! And check.

I predict that in another day or two, Obama will reverse himself on Honduras. He always comes out with the wrong first reaction. Then, his handlers pull him aside and ’splain things to him, after which he reverses himself.

Jun 30, 2009 - 11:58 am 15. David Thomson:

“Then, his handlers pull him aside and ’splain things to him, after which he reverses himself.”

Yup, that’s likely to happen. Once again, Barack Obama responds to polling data. Journalists are also traveling to Honduras—and learning that most citizens of the country support the ouster of the power grabbing, leftist president.

Jun 30, 2009 - 1:57 pm 16. Class Clown:

Yup, we have officially reached the age in which politics is all tactics, zero principles. The new rules are, attack a policy when it is expedient to do so, but copy it when it is.

So, does anyone feel safer now that the “constitution-shedders” are Democrats?

Jul 1, 2009 - 12:05 am 17. Peter0000:

I respectfully submit a vote of no confidence. The methods of deception, lies, devious political tactics, political favoritism, corruptive/questionable distribution of taxpayer monies and broken promises blatantly committed by this administration and congress reveal to this Independent that the American People are the least of this administrations worries. Consider flying the Flay of this Great Nation upside down on this fourth of July. If ever this Nation was in distress….

Jul 1, 2009 - 9:47 pm 18. Peter0000:

I respectfully submit a vote of no confidence. The methods of deception, lies, devious political tactics, political favoritism, corruptive/questionable distribution of taxpayer monies and broken promises blatantly committed by this administration and congress reveal to this Independent that the American People are the least of this administrations worries. Consider flying the Flag of this Great Nation upside down on this fourth of July. If ever this Nation was in distress….

Jul 1, 2009 - 9:48 pm 19. vivo:

4. berto de los santos:

“He was elected democratic like you.”

You have no idea what happened, don’t you?

Jul 2, 2009 - 4:55 am 20. Bloggers Rub Eyes And Wonder If They Are Seeing George W. Bush « Around The Sphere:

[...] Ron Radosh [...]

Jul 2, 2009 - 8:32 am 21. Meryl:

Col. obama is a certified, arrogant, ignorant fool and a liar to boot.

Under the best of conditions, it will be at least 25 years before the things he has already done to damage our country can be reversed.

Jul 2, 2009 - 6:10 pm