GOP Sen: Obama’s Counterterrorism Speech A Victory For Terrorists

[DonViejo]

Source: TPM

Sen. Saxby Chambliss (R-GA) strongly criticized President Barack Obama's speech on counterterrorism on Thursday, in which he announced he will again seek to close down the detention facility in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba by requesting the Department of Defense designate a new site to hold military commissions in the United States.

“The President’s speech today will be viewed by terrorists as a victory," said Chambliss, who recently golfed with the president, in a statement. "Rather than continuing successful counterterrorism activities, we are changing course with no clear operational benefit. We knew five years ago that closing Guantanamo was a bad idea and would not work. Yet, today’s speech sends the message to Guantanamo detainees that if they harass the dedicated military personnel there enough, we will give in and send them home, even to Yemen. With the recidivism rate now at 28% and the increased threat from al Qaeda and its affiliates, including in Yemen, GITMO must stay open for business."

In a historic speech at National Defense University in Washington, Obama said he would seek to bring the era of global war on terror to an end by calling on limited drone warfare and the lifting of restrictions on detainee transfers from Guantanamo Bay.

"I am lifting the moratorium on detainee transfers to Yemen, so we can review them on a case by case basis," Obama said. "To the greatest extent possible, we will transfer detainees who have been cleared to go to other countries."

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Read more: http://livewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/entry/gop-sen-obamas-counterterrorism-speech-victory-for-terrorists

[Tarheel_Dem]

1. Quick! Someone forward this article to Medea Benjamin. Current events aren't her forte.

[Glorfindel]

2. Chambliss is filth. He occupies a uniquely loathsome position as the most despicable politician

in the history of the USA. Georgia, my native state, has covered itself with shame in many, many ways lately, but electing this scum was the worst act of all.

[gademocrat7]

6. I feel the same way.

[beerandjesus]

11. And the craziest thing is that by their new standards, he's now a relative moderate.

But more to the point: Has it never occurred to any of these RWNJs that if a small-scale embassy attack can, with the aid and support of the RWNJs, bring down an American president, that that might embolden the terrorists? Maybe a wee bit more than some random speech that the terrorist leaders, frankly, are way too smart to take at face value in any case?

[dballance]

3. Big Yawn for Chambliss. Did he have that released & released before or after Obama's speech?

I wouldn't be surprised if the whole press release was practically written in draft form before the speech and just tweaked a bit afterwards. Actually, I'd be shocked if this was not the case.

[DCKit]

4. What an unAmerican P.O.S.. nt

[TRoN33]

5. Uh um uhh er...

I don't think Saxby are in his right mind.

[GoneFishin]

7. He's a slimy worm for smearing Max Cleland

a triple amputee vietnam war veteran.

[red dog 1]

8. During His Campaign against Max Cleland, he released an ad

that included Osama Bin Laden and Saddam Hussein, highlighting Cleland's record on the war and terrorism..(Chambliss ad [Cleland] YouTube August 6, 2006)

Chambliss received criticism from both Republicans and Democrats for this ad,
poining out that he, who hadn't served in the Vietnam War due to receiving military deferments,
had attacked a Vietnam War veteran who lost three limbs during his service for not being tough enough on issues of war and Homeland Security.
Republican Senator John McCain said of one ad, "It's worse than disgraceful, it's reprehensible."
McCain, along with Republican Senator Chuck Hagel of Nebraska, made significant complaints to the Republican National Committee, until the ads were taken down.
(The Orlando Sentinel.."Ex-Senator boosts Kerry, battles critics, June 13, 2004)

[bigdarryl]

9. Obama has KILLED more terrorist than Bush did so what is he talking about

[muntrv]

10. Hey Saxby Chickenhawk! Ask Osama Bin Laden if that's so!

[madrchsod]

12. " with the recidivism rate now at 28%......"

the recidivism rate in the usa is worse than gitmo...
http://cnsnews.com/news/article/pew-study-prison-recidivism-rates-remain-high