This one took a while to surface in Congress, but thankfully Senator Feinstein put it out there this week. Closing the infamous Guantanamo Bay prison has been a long time on coming, every day it has helped to reduce our standing in the world community. It has shown that we as a nation condone torture, indefinite detention of people who may or may not have anything to do with terrorism. Gitmo is the ultimate sign of hypocrisy when our government calls on other nations to respect the rule of law.
From The Los Angeles Times:
In a statement, Feinstein said the detention facility had hurt America's credibility around the world because of allegations of abuse there and doubts about the legal rights afforded detainees.
"We must recognize the sustained damage this facility is doing to our international standing," she said in the statement. "We are better served by closing this facility and transferring the detainees elsewhere."
Feinstein's measure would transfer Guantanamo detainees to military or civilian detention facilities in the United States or to their home countries. The legislation allows detainees who "pose no continuing security threat" to be released. Feinstein said she opposed "releasing any terrorists."
This would be a tremendous blow for freedom and against the torture-loving Bush Administration. Here on the left, we have been on the government's case to close this terrible place since we found out that it existed. Feinstein's support comes mainly from the left, but she does have a supporter in the newest Cabinet member, Defense Secretary Robert Gates.
Gates knows that this place has to be shut down. He even canceled an order for a new courthouse on the base. However, he is just one man inside of Bush's Administration. I hope that he and now Feinstein can do some good and get rid of prisons once and for all despite George's love for the place.
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