Congress letter to Bush: Close Guantanamo

[RiverStone]

Source: McClatchey Newspapers

WASHINGTON — A group of 145 members of the House of Representatives sent a letter to President Bush on Friday urging him to close the prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and move the detainees there to military prisons in the United States.

"The closure of the detention facilities at Guantanamo Bay would represent a positive first step toward restoring our international reputation as the leader of democracy and individual rights," the letter said.

The House members, all but one Democrats, also called for restoring Guantanamo prisoners' right to challenge their detention in court. "This will allow for the implementation of fair and transparent trials to bring enemies of our country to justice," they wrote. The lone Republican was Rep. Walter B. Jones of North Carolina.

The Supreme Court on Friday agreed to review whether the detainees should be able to go to federal court to challenge their confinement.



Read more: http://www.mcclatchydc.com/homepage/story/17486.html

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144 Democrats and 1 Republican signed the letter.

I can't fathom how so many rethugs still feel they must march in lock-step with an Executive Branch who has abused it's power more than any other Presidency in United States history.

It will take more than one generation to repair the damage Shrub and Shooter have done to our democracy and world reputation; closing Gitmo is at least a start. History will remember those who had the courage to try and do so, and those who lacked the courage as well.

per the letter:

Holding prisoners for an indefinite period of time, without charging them with a crime goes against our values, ideals and principles as a nation governed by the rule of law.

Tell me rethugs, what laws do you want to live by? :shrug:

[Spazito]

1. I suspect the bush cabal will respond this way....

The issue of the Guantanamo detainees is now before the Supreme Court, we must wait for their decision before making any decision regarding Guantanamo.

Hmmm, maybe I should ask on what date they will make this response as opposed to simply suspecting they will respond this way, lol.

[soothsayer]

2. Or "Go F_ck yourself! Love, Dick Cheney"

[Spazito]

3. ROFL! Ahhhh, the shorthand response!

:rofl:

Edited to add to clarify, the shorthand refers to the cheney branch response not yours!

[Rebellious Republican]

7. Eventually they will close it.................

Just to move it somewhere else like say, Panama!

:banghead:

[Kagemusha]

4. Republicans march lockstep with Busb BECAUSE he abuses exec. power.

They support Strong Leaders, and Bush abusing executive power as much as he can makes him a prima facia Strong Leader. See? It's simple - for simple minds, anyway.

[Sherman A1]

5. Just a question on this

Would it not be possible to introduce a bill to defund Gitmo? Who holds the purse strings?

[Disturbed]

6. Busholini wants to close GITMO, as well.

He is waiting for space to open up in an undisclosed location out of the US to open up. No way will these Detainees be housed on American soil & be awarded any rights.