US neo-conservatives are undermining Obama's attempts to close Guantanamo Bay and put an end to torture. We urgently need to respond with visible public pressure -- let's chip in to create a massive 'Stay Strong Obama' billboard right in the centre of Washington: President Obama's commitment to reverse and investigate Bush's brutal and illegal detention and interrogation policies is under real threat. Torture advocates like former Vice-President Dick Cheney, perhaps fearing personal consequences for their actions, have launched a massive campaign to oppose Obama -- and, incredibly, they're winning. Even many members of Obama's own party are now withdrawing support for the closure of Guantanamo Bay. If a country like the US refuses to reject these policies, it will be a massive global step backwards for the cause of human rights. As President Obama himself said in his National Security speech last week - these past 'War on Terror' policies were illegal, ineffective, alienated the United States and increased global insecurity. But, in the last two weeks decisions have been made about Guantanamo, military commissions, and photos of torture that put the "Hope over Fear' doctrine at risk. He is up against dangerous populist forces and unless stopped now, something quite frightening could emerge - a world of indefinite preventative detention, ongoing rendition and impunity.

now you may be able to guess where my personal feelings are.. BUT, what are your opinions on Guantanamo bay. Should it be closed, or by closing it are we letting dangerous men out only so they can attack our way of life and personal safety, especially now after being interred with other "terrorists". If we do close the bay, what should be done with the detainees?

Dick Cheney has an extremely accurate name.

If any billboard needs to go up, it's one listing some of Cheney's pertinent records. Like the fact he dodged the Vietnam draft five times. Like his involvement in war-profiteering. Like his secret government. Like his refusal to submit records. Like the fact his name is Dick (and given the too-numerous-to-be-accidental Republican slurs of Obama into Osama, perhaps that'd be appropriate). The only people who should be listening to anything that comes out of his mouth at this point are people who like the smell of fresh slimy horseshit.

Look, if the wankers are willing to blow up your children whilst there at school so they can go up to allah with some virgins then i say we should torture the fuckers. If we have unquestionable evidence that their terrorists, and they may know stuff - go for it. And then, once we've got the information, stick them on some man made island in the middle of the no where and leave then some knives and forks and let the bastards eat each other. We should do the same to rapists, paedophiles, mass murderers and all kinds of sick people.


BUT

This will never happen because we're all obsessed with human rights now. Which, I suppose, is a good thing. But surely if your saving the lives of thousends of people, for the exchange of torturing some cock who would quite happily chop your head off and stick it on youtube, SURELY thats a price worth paying?

Obviously, we should never torture kill jail or anything anyone until we have unquestionable evidence. Also, anyone whos been in Guantanamo Bay should not be allowed into any western country.

try watching the film... three british men who were sent to the bay, simply because they were in the wrong place at the wrong time... and for that, they were kidknapped and sent to an illegal prison with no rights, for no reason....

Yeah, they aren't all terrorists though genius. There's barely any evidence is why why they are still holed up in Guantanamo. And frankly, a wise man once said that by giving up liberty for security means you lose both.

Unfortunately, theoretically that is impossible. I'm against torture, in almost all circumstances. The only time I can envision a time when torture might be excusable is on the micro-level... if, for example, my child is kidnapped and I have the kidnapper sitting on my couch. I probably wouldn't be able to control my actions at that point, and if torture occurs that will help secure the safety of my child, there is probability that it will happen.

On the macro-level (IE: Guantanamo Bay) it should not be allowed, in any circumstance. The more I learn about waterboarding, the worse it is. It's truly, truly horrifying. There are several incredibly powerful youtube videos on it. I suggest searching.

Guantanamo Bay should be closed, more for what it symbolically represents as American torture than anything else. Dick Cheney and the rest of his PNAC (Project for the New American Century - VIEW WHO'S SIGNED THE STATEMENT OF PRINCIPLES - IT'S SCARY) cronies should also be PROSECUTED for his many crimes against humanity. Click on the link. The website should make you shudder at being American (if you are American.)

Edited by user 27 May 2009 09:57:03(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified

Wait, what the fuck? OK, so hey, out-there claim, the burden of proof is on you. Find me proof of Britian, France, Germany, Spain, Canada, etc and their secret torture prisons.

Would you have a problem with them torturing a few CIA agents?

Well, I don't think closing Guantanamo Bay was such a problem. The criminals will just be relocated to another island (hopefully), further away from the States, if possible. Somewhere in the middle of the Pacific is fine. Plus, The US would be getting out of Cuba. Now, the US will have less contact with Cuba. Best to not have another missile crisis and Bay of Pigs again. This I consider more important than secrecy or torture or any of that sh*t.

Edited by user 08 June 2009 04:31:50(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified

Poor understanding of international relations. The US wouldn't get out of Cuba, they would continue to use Guantanamo Bay as a naval base, as they have had for 111 years now. And America really needs to normalise relations with Cuba; many of the members of the OAS now want Cuba readmitted to the organisation, and well, the bottom line is that the Cold War has been over for 20 years now.