General Discussion

bhikkhu

(10,789 posts)

30. Technically, he closed it the day after inauguration

Sun Mar 24, 2013, 11:18 PM

Mar 2013

inasmuch as executive orders can be seen as having any weight of authority:

"By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, in order to effect the appropriate disposition of individuals currently detained by the Department of Defense at the Guantánamo Bay Naval Base (Guantánamo) and promptly to close detention facilities at Guantánamo, consistent with the national security and foreign policy interests of the United States and the interests of justice, I hereby order as follows:...

http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/ClosureOfGuantanamoDetentionFacilities

Both parties joined in the senate overwhelmingly to prevent the carrying out of the order. It was a rotten thing to do, but it does at least illustrate and set precedent for the limits of the power of the executive order.

On taxes, either all the bush tax cuts all expired together and then Obama reinstated the cuts for the middle and lower income brackets, or Obama made sure they stayed in place for the middle and lower income brackets, and let taxes go up on the wealthy. Either way is fine with me, and if it seems like "doing nothing to you", I don't even know what would seem like something.

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Four years after Obama promised to close Guantanamo Bay, $195.7 million renovation in works [View all] dixiegrrrrl Mar 2013 OP

What Changed? n/t Wilms Mar 2013 #1

Congress. cstanleytech Mar 2013 #23

Yes let's blame Congress. It's like the president didnt know when he made the promise rhett o rick Mar 2013 #69

The commander in chief cannot do squat if one of branches of government cstanleytech Mar 2013 #71

Unless he would like to kill a wedding party somewhere, then he does so on a whim Dragonfli Mar 2013 #81

The Constitution gives absolute power in spending to Congress jeff47 Mar 2013 #86

Might wanna save your breath as at this point its clear some people cstanleytech Mar 2013 #110

I really don't mind pointing out to them that they're wrong. Over and over again. (nt) jeff47 Mar 2013 #118

prisoners of war fall within the "absolute power" you claim he has when he dons his war king persona Dragonfli Mar 2013 #112

No, they don't. jeff47 Mar 2013 #117

If he is "GOD OF WAR" with such awesome war power, just how are prisoners of war not part of war? Dragonfli Mar 2013 #122

Because, again, military and financial power are different things. jeff47 Mar 2013 #124

From your link rhett o rick Mar 2013 #82

Its called the power of the purse for a reason rhett as they could do the same cstanleytech Mar 2013 #128

There is nothing stopping the president from moving the prisoners to another prison other than rhett o rick Mar 2013 #134

Incorrect rhett. As I have pointed out congress can repeat what they cstanleytech Mar 2013 #137

That's nuts. UnrepentantLiberal Mar 2013 #2

He tried, He really tried. jazzimov Mar 2013 #3

The vote did go down in flames 96-4, but throwing $200Million at it is absurd. JaneyVee Mar 2013 #4

He promised to TRY, not knowing the Repugs would obstruct larkrake Mar 2013 #5

there is a naval base there dsc Mar 2013 #6

Some people will believe anything, I never fell for that campaign lie, but I did fall for others Dragonfli Mar 2013 #7

Sorry, your post reeks of low information. Cha Mar 2013 #9

Like I said some people will believe anything, like Obama "never mentioned chained CPI" Dragonfli Mar 2013 #18

Keep digging and Cha Mar 2013 #37

You didn't deny any of that, you know. Occulus Mar 2013 #56

Bingo. 99Forever Mar 2013 #70

The lie is that it's Obama keeping it open jeff47 Mar 2013 #10

I missed the veto attempt, silly me, I thought his party was providing him cover Dragonfli Mar 2013 #20

It passed by a veto-proof majority. jeff47 Mar 2013 #62

I blame congress with providing him the cover he wanted to look like "he tried" Dragonfli Mar 2013 #73

We don't live in a monarchy, as much as you'd like to. jeff47 Mar 2013 #87

You completely ignored the part where he does claim such power Dragonfli Mar 2013 #111

No, you are still conflating two different powers jeff47 Mar 2013 #116

Sure thing, whatever you need to tell yourself to be able to look at yourself in the mirror Dragonfli Mar 2013 #119

I'm not asking you to believe a lie. I'm asking you to accept reality. jeff47 Mar 2013 #121

"There you go again", in my best Reagan voice, catapulting the propaganda. Dragonfli Mar 2013 #135

Thank you Dragonfli MoclipsHumptulips Mar 2013 #126

Thank you, jeff. Some people just can't face Cha Mar 2013 #38

This is about doing exactly the opposite of spending money to close it. progressoid Mar 2013 #41

You haven't heard, he can't because the Republicans are making Democrats make him go along Dragonfli Mar 2013 #46

Yeah progressoid Mar 2013 #47

If you can't move the people out of the place it would be better to make it more habitable. jeff47 Mar 2013 #63

So now suddenly we're concerned about their well being? progressoid Mar 2013 #65

So not improving the place would do what, exactly? jeff47 Mar 2013 #85

OFFS, improving the prisoners' shithole isn't the main reason for this. progressoid Mar 2013 #93

And leaving in a shithole moves them towards release by.........? (nt) jeff47 Mar 2013 #100

Yeah, you're right. Building a bigger prison will ensure their liberty. progressoid Mar 2013 #109

And not building a bigger prison will ensure their liberty by..........? (nt) jeff47 Mar 2013 #115

It won't make a difference either way. progressoid Mar 2013 #120

Little problem with your theory jeff47 Mar 2013 #123

"We haven't added anyone to Gitmo for quite a while now." dixiegrrrrl Mar 2013 #144

Mmm good question dixiegrrrrl but then again the otherside of it is cstanleytech Mar 2013 #155

So you are saying that he has no power to stop this new expenditure? rhett o rick Mar 2013 #49

Stopping the new spending isn't gonna help jeff47 Mar 2013 #64

Is Congress keeping the prisoners there or just not funding the closing? rhett o rick Mar 2013 #67

Congress says you can not spend any money on moving the prisoners jeff47 Mar 2013 #72

He can always order a drone strike agasinst the terrorists that are forcing him to keep an Dragonfli Mar 2013 #76

Different powers. jeff47 Mar 2013 #88

I bet the CIC can move prisoners in war-time w/o asking Congress. rhett o rick Mar 2013 #80

Doesn't matter if there's a budget item for "moving prisoners" in general jeff47 Mar 2013 #89

Then move them to prisons else where in the world. I bet we have prisons in Afghanistan. rhett o rick Mar 2013 #92

And that solves what, exactly? jeff47 Mar 2013 #98

The discussion was about spending money on Gitmo. Send the prisoners elsewhere rhett o rick Mar 2013 #101

The location is utterly irrelevant. jeff47 Mar 2013 #107

They're not all Afghans. And we did move some to Afghanistan's prisons. TwilightGardener Mar 2013 #99

What does being Afghans have to do with it. They are not Cubans either. rhett o rick Mar 2013 #102

Gitmo is under US control. Officially as of today, no Afghan prison is under US control. TwilightGardener Mar 2013 #104

If Pres. Obama does not have the power to close Gitmo dixiegrrrrl Mar 2013 #145

He has the power to close it. But that's immaterial when you need to actually TwilightGardener Mar 2013 #149

100 of those detainees are cleared to leave..BUT..obama has enacted a law which does not allow them xiamiam Mar 2013 #74

"terrified Democrats voted with them?" WHAT? KoKo Mar 2013 #142

They must've been terrified they would be placed in our torture and rendition center in Cuba Dragonfli Mar 2013 #147

Technically, he closed it the day after inauguration bhikkhu Mar 2013 #30

Of course, I forgot, all the Democrats hated him as well, no way were they providing cover Dragonfli Mar 2013 #35

They didn't hate him, but they did join with the repugs and quashed the executive order bhikkhu Mar 2013 #36

Well, what he did was make 85% of breaks to the wealthiest permanent Dragonfli Mar 2013 #48

Obama asked for 1.2 Trillion in Revenue Boner offered 800 Billion, Obama settled for 600. bahrbearian Mar 2013 #78

Well said. nt woo me with science Mar 2013 #66

But we can't afford $40 million Rosa Luxemburg Mar 2013 #8

congressional prostitutes funneling money to their corporate sponsors? nt msongs Mar 2013 #11

I will not blame Obama for this. His power is limited by states that will not cooperate. SleeplessinSoCal Mar 2013 #12

Dems sided with GOPpers in defeating Iliyah Mar 2013 #13

The executive branch can prosecute people for federal crimes. Vattel Mar 2013 #21

Not when Congress refuses to pay for those prosecutions. (nt) jeff47 Mar 2013 #90

Congress refused to find the closure and the transfer of prisoners NYC Liberal Mar 2013 #14

He's only THE HEAD OF THE MILITARY, lol. just1voice Mar 2013 #15

He's like the Queen of England you know, no power, just there to lead parades. Dragonfli Mar 2013 #22

I can't decide if your post is sarcasm or not. Heywood J Mar 2013 #59

It is. n/t Egalitarian Thug Mar 2013 #60

"...spend $195.7 million renovating it ...". Who has ties to the corporation that submitted the bid? mia Mar 2013 #16

We knew we liked Hagel. Maybe he will have a special "waterboarding" room dedicated it to Cheney. rhett o rick Mar 2013 #17

I think on this one they will keep "the Democrats made him do it" Dragonfli Mar 2013 #26

According to above post... our Democratic Reps were "Terrified." KoKo Mar 2013 #143

yes of course I remember now, the carpets in the halls of congress were covered in urine Dragonfli Mar 2013 #148

What a waste of $$$. PufPuf23 Mar 2013 #19

Wait...aren't we broke? Marrah_G Mar 2013 #24

And apparently $40 million of that was just for the new logo (nt) Nye Bevan Mar 2013 #25

They already spent $188,000 for a new sign Mnpaul Mar 2013 #52

You Just Hope For Change. blkmusclmachine Mar 2013 #27

"Suckers" backatcha. Cha Mar 2013 #39

W had power. Reagan had power. delrem Mar 2013 #28

As soon as W got out of the starting gate, Art_from_Ark Mar 2013 #58

Conservatives were completely drunk with power during those administrations. Initech Mar 2013 #150

FOX news has more power than the President of the USA? delrem Mar 2013 #152

They sure do act like it though. Initech Mar 2013 #153

That made me laugh out loud. Beacool Mar 2013 #156

Not the investment in infrastructure I had hoped for. JEB Mar 2013 #29

Thank the republican'ts.They are still blocking 107 Obama apointees.Only 4 during Bushco.Wake up judesedit Mar 2013 #31

I really thought this crap would change Az_lefty Mar 2013 #32

You're not supposed to notice things like this, let alone point them out. Egalitarian Thug Mar 2013 #33

GITMO needs updating! OnyxCollie Mar 2013 #34

Oh come on sylvi Mar 2013 #40

Congress doesn't want the detainees on US soil. These prisoners are in permanent limbo. TwilightGardener Mar 2013 #42

Be sure you read the part that says how LONG they have been approved for release. dixiegrrrrl Mar 2013 #44

The only hope I have is that perhaps this ridiculous price tag will force Congress TwilightGardener Mar 2013 #43

Just give it back to Cuba and throw in the prisoners as a bonus. Tierra_y_Libertad Mar 2013 #45

Now there's a thought.... dixiegrrrrl Mar 2013 #50

And Castro will put them on a boat and send them to the US!! LeftInTX Mar 2013 #132

Karma is a bitch. Tierra_y_Libertad Mar 2013 #133

Military ain't going to shutdown a prison. Rex Mar 2013 #51

"The new construction would include $49 to house high-value targets like Khalid Sheikh Mohammed" ... DreamGypsy Mar 2013 #53

When I saw that, I thought they were buying from Wal-Mart dixiegrrrrl Mar 2013 #54

For $49 spent at Walmart.. DreamGypsy Mar 2013 #55

We need you on the economic Council, for sure! dixiegrrrrl Mar 2013 #75

In all fairness to President Obama, he did try to close Gitmo, but a few akbacchus_BC Mar 2013 #57

Is the politics forum shut down or something? n/t Egalitarian Thug Mar 2013 #61

We're only broke when they want us to be broke. nt woo me with science Mar 2013 #68

The more it costs, Turbineguy Mar 2013 #77

I tend to wonder Newest Reality Mar 2013 #79

I agree...they are going to great lengths to keep the prisoners dixiegrrrrl Mar 2013 #84

To be fair, some of these prisoners may well be risky to release. TwilightGardener Mar 2013 #97

Perhaps..but about half have met criteria for release, yet still are prisoners. dixiegrrrrl Mar 2013 #105

True, Newest Reality Mar 2013 #108

And you can bet your ass that he'd close it today if he could madokie Mar 2013 #83

Who's the Commander in Chief of the entire U.S. military? just1voice Mar 2013 #91

Ordering it closed means nothing without the procedures and funds to deal TwilightGardener Mar 2013 #94

You have a lot to learn is all I can say to you in answer to this nonsense madokie Mar 2013 #96

there is an old saying from wwII "you can kill em, but ya can't eat em" now the trendy phrase is Dragonfli Mar 2013 #113

Puzzledtraveller Mar 2013 #95

Promises shmomises ...who cares. Obama rah rah rah. n/t L0oniX Mar 2013 #103

What's the answer, then? TwilightGardener Mar 2013 #106

Make excuses for not keeping promises apparently Dragonfli Mar 2013 #114

Well the first step is to do away with cstanleytech Mar 2013 #129

See, thank you for making excuses, Obama must expand Gitmo, only a king could not!!!! Dragonfli Mar 2013 #131

No, its not excuses it called "reality" and "facts". cstanleytech Mar 2013 #138

They just finished re-writing the entire constitution, to allow a president Dragonfli Mar 2013 #140

Attemting to label me or anyone who disagrees with you as a Bush supporter will not change the facts cstanleytech Mar 2013 #141

You read nothing other than the last sentence, did you, facts are facts, he already claims powers Dragonfli Mar 2013 #146

You win, bury your head in the sand regarding how our government is setup cstanleytech Mar 2013 #154

America's infamous Concentration Camp. Movies will be made, not here of course, and books written, sabrina 1 Mar 2013 #125

Since money for GITMO can not likely be found in the national defense budget, bet pols will gladly indepat Mar 2013 #127

Okay...how do we Explain This? KoKo Mar 2013 #130

Don't blame me, I voted for Kucinich. n/t flvegan Mar 2013 #136

Ok, I'll bite. cstanleytech Mar 2013 #139

ANSWER: STOP ELECTING REPUBLICANS and elect more LIBERAL DEMOCRATS. emulatorloo Mar 2013 #151