Friday, June 13, 2008

Obama Responds

Reported on Talkleft and from Obama's site, his response to today's Gitmo ruling...

"Today's Supreme Court decision ensures that we can protect our nation and bring terrorists to justice, while also protecting our core values. The Court's decision is a rejection of the Bush Administration's attempt to create a legal black hole at Guantanamo - yet another failed policy supported by John McCain. This is an important step toward reestablishing our credibility as a nation committed to the rule of law, and rejecting a false choice between fighting terrorism and respecting habeas corpus. Our courts have employed habeas corpus with rigor and fairness for more than two centuries, and we must continue to do so as we defend the freedom that violent extremists seek to destroy. We cannot afford to lose any more valuable time in the fight against terrorism to a dangerously flawed legal approach. I voted against the Military Commissions Act because its sloppiness would inevitably lead to the Court, once again, rejecting the Administration's extreme legal position. The fact is, this Administration's position is not tough on terrorism, and it undermines the very values that we are fighting to defend. Bringing these detainees to justice is too important for us to rely on a flawed system that has failed to convict anyone of a terrorist act since the 9-11 attacks, and compromised our core values."

I like it and I don't. I like that he issued the statement and threw McCain in there while painting an accurate picture of his understanding of why habeas is so important to our nation. That was good, especially since he will probably be appointing Stevens' replacement. I did not like it because he is still enthusiastically support the failed war on terror. But that's me.

How about you?

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Should we give up seeking Bin Laden? I believe most support that we were in Afganistan to get him. It is the Iraq side show that displeases most.

The Expat said...

I would not suggest such a thing, but a "War on Terror" is such a GOP theme that is riddled with GOP errors. Ending a war on terror does not mean giving up.

Anonymous said...

I don't think he supports the failed war on terror, but rather an "actual" war on terror. It still angers me that the Bush admin and republicans still act like they are the ones who will keep us safe when they have failed to make any progress whatsover. I do agree that the republican theme is a little ridiculous.