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Republican Senators McCain and Graham Support Obama in Closing Gitmo

Discussion in 'Political Debate & Discussion' started by KenH, Jan 25, 2009.

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  1. KenH

    KenH Well-Known Member

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    Senators approve of Gitmo closing

    By Bill Hess
    Herald/Review

    Published: Friday, January 23, 2009 10:42 AM MST

    WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. John McCain thinks President Barack Obama made a step in the right direction with an executive order on Thursday to close the Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, prison where detainees accused of terrorism.

    But, the Arizona Republican said, there are many issues left unanswered.

    In a joint press statement from McCain and U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., the senators said, “We support President Obama’s decision to close the prison at Guantanamo, reaffirm America’s adherence to the Geneva Conventions and begin a process that will, we hope, lead to the resolution of all cases of Guantanamo’s detainees.

    - www.svherald.com/articles/2009/01/23/news/doc49796c089a695254312055.txt
     
    #1 KenH, Jan 25, 2009
  2. rbell

    rbell Active Member

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    Oh, what it would be like to have a republican senator with a spine right now...
     
    #2 rbell, Jan 25, 2009
  3. KenH

    KenH Well-Known Member

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    You don't think that Senators McCain and Graham are sincere?

    I find it amazing that anyone would accuse John McCain of not having a spine. Have you ever been tortured by the North Vietnamese for several years and refuse to go home when given the opportunity so that you can stay with your fellow prisoners?
     
    #3 KenH, Jan 25, 2009
    Last edited: Jan 25, 2009
  4. CoJoJax

    CoJoJax New Member

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    I'm not sure how I feel on this issue.

    But it's definitely troubling to read headlines that former Gitmo prisoners are surfacing in those anti-American Al-Qeada videos.

    C.J. :cool:
     
    #4 CoJoJax, Jan 25, 2009
  5. rbell

    rbell Active Member

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    I have on more than one occasion thanked McCain for his service...and I do here again. But he is not the same man. IMO, they are so worried about being "bipartisan" that they are not standing up for what are Republican policies....particularly a strong national defense.

    This is not about his service several decades ago. This is about his error in national security issues in the year 2009.
     
    #5 rbell, Jan 25, 2009
  6. KenH

    KenH Well-Known Member

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    So you believe that unless one supports keeping Gitmo open that he/she is not in favor of a strong national defense, that there is no alternative available that one can support and still be in favor of a strong national defense?
     
    #6 KenH, Jan 25, 2009
  7. dragonfly

    dragonfly New Member

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    Maybe it has nothing to do with backbone. Maybe he knows it is the right thing to do and, like a war hero, he is speaking out now.
     
    #7 dragonfly, Jan 25, 2009
  8. rbell

    rbell Active Member

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    Closing gitmo can lead to a weakened national defense.

    A bit dramatic, aren't we?
     
    #8 rbell, Jan 25, 2009
  9. matt wade

    matt wade Well-Known Member

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    First, I may or may not agree with this closing (It's not relevant to what I'm about to say).

    Anyway, I don't believe that he should be worried about what is or isn't "Republican policies". You ask for a senator with a spine. How is adhering to "Republican policies" (or Democrat ones for that matter) having a senator with a spine? I consider a senator with a spine as one that stands up for what they believe in, whether or not it is the same as the "party" they are a part of.
     
    #9 matt wade, Jan 25, 2009
  10. KenH

    KenH Well-Known Member

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    That is your opinion. Just because someone such as Senator McCain disagrees with your opinion does not mean that he lacks a spine.

    Evidently, you think that there is only one way to deal with the folks imprisoned at Gitmo.
     
    #10 KenH, Jan 25, 2009
  11. Joshua Rhodes

    Joshua Rhodes <img src=/jrhodes.jpg>

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    How about standing up for what they're constituents believe?
     
    #11 Joshua Rhodes, Jan 25, 2009
  12. rbell

    rbell Active Member

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    That is a fair objection.

    Let me clarify: Most Americans would want our senators to keep us safe.

    Releasing terrorists does not keep us safe.

    In a few months/years, when these cretins are back to blow themselves up in our cities, I guess we'll wish for a do-over. At that point, it will be too late.
     
    #12 rbell, Jan 25, 2009
  13. rbell

    rbell Active Member

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    I think there is a wrong way....releasing them.
     
    #13 rbell, Jan 25, 2009
  14. KenH

    KenH Well-Known Member

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    You mean like former President Bush did?
     
    #14 KenH, Jan 25, 2009
  15. rbell

    rbell Active Member

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    Yes. Him too.
     
    #15 rbell, Jan 25, 2009
  16. Dragoon68

    Dragoon68 Active Member

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    Yes, indeed, it would be!
     
    #16 Dragoon68, Jan 25, 2009
  17. matt wade

    matt wade Well-Known Member

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    Our form of government was specifically set up to avoid a tyranny of the majority. If the representatives always did exactly as their constituents demanded, we would negate the entire reason for our republican form of government. We should be electing people to office that we have trust in and we should then allow them to use their wisdom to vote as they see fit.
     
    #17 matt wade, Jan 25, 2009
  18. Joshua Rhodes

    Joshua Rhodes <img src=/jrhodes.jpg>

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    Maybe if some of them voted how their constituents believed rather than what was in their own best interests, we wouldn't be where we are today. I have no problem voting a person in to do their job... but allowing them to use their wisdom would be easier if there were more examples of them doing such a thing.
     
    #18 Joshua Rhodes, Jan 25, 2009
  19. matt wade

    matt wade Well-Known Member

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    Representatives voting selfishly is not what I am talking about. I'm talking about them voting for what they believe in. There's a huge difference.

    I completely agree that we don't have a lot of examples of representatives utilizing wisdom. Most are self-serving and looking only to increase their circle of power.

    While I may not agree with everything Ron Paul believes, I respect him because he is one of the few that votes how he believes and does not compromise that. He is a great example of a guy that votes what he believes rather than what's in his personal best interest. Heck, the guy refuses to participate in the congressional pension plan. He thinks it is not a good thing and he shows that with his actions, not just words.
     
    #19 matt wade, Jan 25, 2009
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