Senate votes to block funds for Guantanamo closure

Senate votes to block funds for Guantanamo closure

Senate votes to block funds for Guantanamo closure

WASHINGTON (AP) - In a major rebuke to President Barack Obama, the Senate voted overwhelmingly on Wednesday to block the transfer of Guantanamo detainees to the United States and denied the administration the millions it sought to close the prison.


The 90-6 Senate vote—paired with similar House action last week—was a clear sign to Obama that he faces a tough fight getting the Democratic-controlled Congress to agree with his plans to shut down the detention center and move the 240 detainees.

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Two words, EPIC FAIL for Obama and good for America. I am shocked personally at the 90-6 vote against closing GITMO, Given the attacks on the last admin during the war by many of these senators on GITMO.

What made them take this stand? Did they see a light? Political seat stability reasons?


One thing we can say for sure. Is Obama failed here. And I for one am glad that this did not pass. Yes I wished for Obama to fail here.

Reverend_Hellh0und said:

Two words, EPIC FAIL for Obama and good for America. I am shocked personally at the 90-6 vote against closing GITMO, Given the attacks on the last admin during the war by many of these senators on GITMO.

What made them take this stand? Did they see a light? Political seat stability reasons?

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I would say yes. This is a political knee jerk to a "not in my backyard" mentality. The GOP has done a good job of getting people to believe the military is actually going to just release detainees who still pose a threat into society. (please do not rebut this with a link to some guy's blog)

One thing we can say for sure. Is Obama failed here. And I for one am glad that this did not pass. Yes I wished for Obama to fail here.

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Um...Obama is not in the Senate anymore. How is this a failure? I'm not even sure it's really that bad for Obama.

Gitmo will be closed, the question is how do we pay for it and where do they go?

Edit: Oh, and look up the word 'Epic'.

hazlnut said:

I would say yes. This is a political knee jerk to a "not in my backyard" mentality. The GOP has done a good job of getting people to believe the military is actually going to just release detainees who still pose a threat into society. (please do not rebut this with a link to some guy's blog)

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Uhm.... The GOP is not in power in any branches of the government. This is dems right down the line. Sorry. this is all on the left.


I applaud them though for voting the right way.

Um...Obama is not in the Senate anymore. How is this a failure? I'm not even sure it's really that bad for Obama.

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Obama campaigned on, an attempted to find a way to close GITMO. His attempts were rejected, by his own party no less. :lol:

Gitmo will be closed, the question is how do we pay for it and where do they go?

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You can keep saying that, but it seems it won't be anytime soon. :rofl

Edit: Oh, and look up the word 'Epic'.

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No thank you. When describing the Greatness that is the Good Reverend, "epic" comes up often. I know the word very well.

hazlnut said:

Gitmo will be closed, the question is how do we pay for it and where do they go?

Edit: Oh, and look up the word 'Epic'.

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How can it be closed unless you answer the last two. And there is no where "else" for them to go but here if they close Gitmo. So yes, Obama (and Soros and company) have egg on their face here. There's no way to get it done now. Gitmo will remain open.

No..The funds were not granted at the moment because the Senate wants to see more of a concrete plan as to the exact way the detainees are going to be handled in the future. When that exact plan is put forward the I'm sure the funding will also go forward.

There is no way Gitmo is going to remain open.

Although I'm sure the Republicans will attempt to block every single step of the process every step of the way.

In all of our prisons as the stand today are there not people who wish ill will upon America?

So from the Republicans standpoint the only option is Gitmo?

There are many high security prisions here in the US that are close to towns that are economically depressed and are perfectly capable of holding such prisioners securely as they do with murderers and rapists and other people who certainly want to do bad things to our country.

Good, they should keep Gitmo open.

goldendog said:

No..The funds were not granted at the moment because the Senate wants to see more of a concrete plan as to the exact way the detainees are going to be handled in the future. When that exact plan is put forward the I'm sure the funding will also go forward.

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Can you show me where any of them stated this?

There is no way Gitmo is going to remain open.

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Sure eventually it will close... :lol:

Although I'm sure the Republicans will attempt to block every single step of the process every step of the way.

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Dems control all three branches, filibuster proof majority. You can't keep blaming the right for the actions of the left... :lol:

In all of our prisons as the stand today are there not people who wish ill will upon America?

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No they are full of savages that do harm to one another.

So from the Republicans standpoint the only option is Gitmo?

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It makes little sense to play shuffle the haji for no reason what so ever.

There are many high security prisions here in the US that are close to towns that are economically depressed and are perfectly capable of holding such prisioners securely as they do with murderers and rapists and other people who certainly want to do bad things to our country.

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You do know there are only about what 350 prisoners there? What economic impact do you think that would ACTUALLY have? :lol:

goldendog said:

No..The funds were not granted at the moment because the Senate wants to see more of a concrete plan as to the exact way the detainees are going to be handled in the future. When that exact plan is put forward the I'm sure the funding will also go forward.

There is no way Gitmo is going to remain open.

Although I'm sure the Republicans will attempt to block every single step of the process every step of the way.

In all of our prisons as the stand today are there not people who wish ill will upon America?

So from the Republicans standpoint the only option is Gitmo?

There are many high security prisions here in the US that are close to towns that are economically depressed and are perfectly capable of holding such prisioners securely as they do with murderers and rapists and other people who certainly want to do bad things to our country.

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The most vicious gang in the United States is MS 13, and it is using our prison system as its recruiting grounds. It's unspeakable what these gangs do. They make crips and bloods look like the boy scouts.

If you allow captured terrorists to intermingle within our prison system, they will organize and recruit from within our borders more effectively. God forbid they get organized with MS 13 or another group like that.

No, they need to be kept far away, amidst only themselves.

To me, this is success. It's called the balancing of powers.

Reverend_Hellh0und said:

Can you show me where any of them stated this?





Sure eventually it will close... :lol:





Dems control all three branches, filibuster proof majority. You can't keep blaming the right for the actions of the left... :lol:





No they are full of savages that do harm to one another.





It makes little sense to play shuffle the haji for no reason what so ever.






You do know there are only about what 350 prisoners there? What economic impact do you think that would ACTUALLY have? :lol:

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Democrats Plan to Block Gitmo Closing - WSJ.com

WASHINGTON -- Bowing to political pressure, Senate Democrats said Tuesday that they planned to withhold funding to close the prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, until President Barack Obama presents a plan for handling its 241 detainees.

Democrats also plan to prevent the administration from spending any money to transfer Guantanamo detainees to the U.S. during the current fiscal year, which ends Sept. 30. Both restrictions are contained in an amendment to a $91.3 billion measure funding the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan; the amendment is expected to be approved in the Senate as early as Wednesda

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said he would withhold judgment on the transfer of inmates until the White House came up with a plan.
The issue of Guantanamo's closure has been a distraction for the Democrats since Mr. Obama several weeks ago requested $80 million to wind down operations at the prison for terrorism suspects by next January. Republicans have seized on the issue, conjuring images of terrorists being released onto America's streets, something the administration says it will never do. (Please see related article on page A6.)

A White House task force is scheduled to report by July on how to close Guantanamo and what to do with the detainees. Some could be tried by military commissions, others could be sent to civilian U.S. courts, and still others could be transferred to foreign countries.

White House press secretary Robert Gibbs said Tuesday that he agrees Congress should receive a more detailed plan and that the president will provide more specifics in a speech Thursday.

"The president still believes it's in our national interest to close Guantanamo Bay," Mr. Gibbs said


Please read this article.

Gitmo will close.....and you are right the Republicans are not relevant anymore and they made sure of that.

hazlnut said:

I would say yes. This is a political knee jerk to a "not in my backyard" mentality. The GOP has done a good job of getting people to believe the military is actually going to just release detainees who still pose a threat into society.

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The GOP could not have stopped this bill if they wanted to -- the Dems have a fillibuster-proof majority.
No, no -- you can only blame the Dems for denying The Obama what He wants.

I think they should just send them back from whence they came. If they are killed by their own, so what. If they are not guilty, there should be nothing to fear. If they are, have the tribunals and execute them. Because, you know rehabilitation works so well, and we cannot even afford to keep domestic prisoners in prison. It is ridiculous.

Erod said:

The most vicious gang in the United States is MS 13, and it is using our prison system as its recruiting grounds. It's unspeakable what these gangs do. They make crips and bloods look like the boy scouts.

If you allow captured terrorists to intermingle within our prison system, they will organize and recruit from within our borders more effectively. God forbid they get organized with MS 13 or another group like that.

No, they need to be kept far away, amidst only themselves.

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Please provide a link that shows that the intent is to throw these detainees in with prison gangs such as MS-13?

Question. I have always wondered this.

If they are found innocent, and was tortured or abused [either physically or mentally] by US. Would they get compensation and/or be able to sue US?
And who would they sue? US Government or a specific person? Or the person doing the torturing?

which of those "plans" are acceptable.


Not in America, europe said "no" already, military tribunals, sure, ok. civillian courts? That's just dumb.....


So what's left.


Perhaps hold the beligerent parties for the duration of the war, then try or release them back to thier home countries?


Yeah, that's the right answer....



As for the democrat **** walk..... Remember you all will reap what you sew. When the **** hits the fan as it always does, there won't be anyone to blame it on... Cept yourselves. :lol:

tlmorg02 said:

I think they should just send them back from whence they came. If they are killed by their own, so what. If they are not guilty, there should be nothing to fear. If they are, have the tribunals and execute them. Because, you know rehabilitation works so well, and we cannot even afford to keep domestic prisoners in prison. It is ridiculous.

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I agree. drop them off in thier home countries. The ones that we want to release anyway. F em.

goldendog said:

Please provide a link that shows that the intent is to throw these detainees in with prison gangs such as MS-13?

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So where are we going to put them? By themselves? Then why not just keep Gitmo open? Same difference.

Obama campaigns on closing gitmo. Obama announces presidential orders to close Gitmo. Obama requests funds to close gitmo and is denied by congress.

It doesn't get anymore obvious than that folks. The excuses and contorting is simple denial.

+1 campaign promise unfullfilled.

Reverend_Hellh0und said:

which of those "plans" are acceptable.


Not in America, europe said "no" already, military tribunals, sure, ok. civillian courts? That's just dumb.....


So what's left.


Perhaps hold the beligerent parties for the duration of the war, then try or release them back to thier home countries?


Yeah, that's the right answer....



As for the democrat **** walk..... Remember you all will reap what you sew. When the **** hits the fan as it always does, there won't be anyone to blame it on... Cept yourselves. :lol:

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So? does this rule work for failed Republican policy?

"Remember you all will reap what you sew. When the **** hits the fan as it always does, there won't be anyone to blame it on... Cept yourselves."

goldendog said:

So? does this rule work for failed Republican policy?

"Remember you all will reap what you sew. When the **** hits the fan as it always does, there won't be anyone to blame it on... Cept yourselves."

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You mean the policy that stopped numerous attacks and kept you safe the past seven years?

goldendog said:

So? does this rule work for failed Republican policy?

"Remember you all will reap what you sew. When the **** hits the fan as it always does, there won't be anyone to blame it on... Cept yourselves."

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You missed the point. When there were 2 relevant parties, they could pass blame on each other, to which the sappy "centrists" could latch onto the way they lean based on said blame.


This time, as the **** hits te fan, those sappy "centrists" won't have any other choice to go the other way...


You have a filibuster proof majority. Who else will be to blame? We are getting off topic, but I am calling it now.... This country will shift right again over the next 4-8 years. All because you won it all.... :lol:

scourge99 said:

Obama campaigns on closing gitmo. Obama announces presidential orders to close Gitmo. Obama requests funds to close gitmo and is denied by congress.

It doesn't get anymore obvious than that folks. The excuses and contorting is simple denial.

+1 campaign promise unfullfilled.

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I disagree, he will issue a plan for what to do with the prisoners in the next week, and Congress will issue the money. He will succeed in this, but I think it is ridiculous we have to hold on to them even if they are innocent. Why should their homes countries kill them? What evidence do we have that this would happen? SHIP THEM BACK and save us the tax money.

Reverend_Hellh0und said:

Uhm.... The GOP is not in power in any branches of the government. This is dems right down the line. Sorry. this is all on the left.

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Again, the thread goes haywire when people forget what they said.

You pondered if the vote was motivated by political seat stability:

Reverend_Hellh0und said:

What made them take this stand? Did they see a light? Political seat stability reasons?

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I agreed. IMO, they voted that way as a reaction to the fear-mongering that the far-right has been able to inject into the media echo chamber. "Gimto's most dangerous detainees released into society...blah, blah, blah..."

Reasonable people know 1) that Sean Hannity is an ass and 2)that would never happen. Nevertheless, a good number of Senators have to run for re-election in 2010 and some of the votes could be a "Not in my backyard" to save my seat vote.

IMO, it was really just a vote telling the President to make sure the public is clear on how the closing is going to work. And come up with a better plan to pay for it. No big failure.

The Executive order means it will be closed, this is just a political hurdle.:yawn:

Erod said:

So where are we going to put them? By themselves? Then why not just keep Gitmo open? Same difference.

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Yes keep them all by themselves..as 241 of them and no Gitmo is not and was never the answer. Gitmo is a blackeye on my country It was a Bush/Cheney tool to keep from doing the right thing..again...always.
Used in desperated attempt to distort truth.

These people will be tried and if found guilty convicted and then held in a Supermax Prison as it should have been from the get go.

Gitmo, The Iraq war, The new and improved Bush Taliban and Al Quaeda are all Bush's albatrosses which he and his administration burdened our country with.

Erod said:

You mean the policy that stopped numerous attacks and kept you safe the past seven years?

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Name one attack within the US that was stopped since the second attack on our country on 9-11? Remember the first attack on our nation was the WTC attack in 93?

Do you think torturing people to desperately find Cheney's dream link that Saddam was tied to 9-11 is good sound policy?

Was it good policy for Bush and Cheney to allow this second attack to happened after being warned repeatedly?

Remember Clinton caught and put the bombers and planners of the first WTC attack in prison?
AN AMERICAN PRISON??? Not one in Cuba.