President Obama admitted on Wednesday that he will not be able to follow through on his promise to close Guantanamo Bay by the time he leaves office. But, he did not go so far to admit it was his fault. In a parting letter to Congress, Obama put the blame on Republicans for the failure to shutter the prison.
In his accusatory letter, Obama told House Speaker
The restrictions imposed by the Congress that prevent us from imprisoning detainees — even to prosecute and secure a life sentence — in the United States make no sense. No person has ever escaped one of our super-max or military prisons here, ever. There is simply no justification beyond politics for the Congress’ insistence on keeping the facility open. Members of Congress who obstruct efforts to close the facility, given the stakes involved for our security, have abdicated their responsibility to the American people. They have placed politics above the ongoing costs to taxpayers, our relationships with our allies, and the threat posed to U.S. national security by leaving open a facility that governments around the world condemn and which hinders rather than helps our fight against terrorism.
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As Justin pointed out, several released Guantanamo prisoners have returned to the battlefield.
This is probably just one reason the majority of Americans want the prison to stay open. The next president plans to listen.
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