I have never been a Barack Obama supporter. Ever since the rumors of his proposed presidential campaign, he was just another Democrat to me. Hell, I was in favor of Hillary Clinton winning the Democratic primaries, though only for the hilarity of having Big Willy back in the mansion as “first lady.” Naturally I had to rationalize living with a president whose platform was radically opposed to my beliefs. Living eight years through the W era, I didn’t want take the route of my anti-Bush high school peers.
Despite our differences, I was optimistic about his initiatives to end prosecution of victimless crimes, cease our military presence in the Middle East and close down Guantanamo Bay. Therefore, I figured I could give the president some respect by focusing on the social freedom issues we agreed on. After all the man was a charismatic Harvard Law grad, I didn’t see another compromising bureaucratic smeg wad.
As the months went by, Obama procrastinated on social issues in order to give preference to the economic crisis and healthcare. Granted his priorities were reasonable, but his legislation never justified it for me. Straw after straw was burdened on my opinion of the man, accumulating until a few days ago.
On Monday, President Barack Obama lifted the ban on military commissions in Guantanamo Bay and signed an executive order calling for an indefinite detention system for dangerous detainees. Obama banned these military court trials soon after his inauguration in order to move trials to federal courts. While the president said he made changes to ensure commission integrity, military foul play can come from any rank or level. The only way to guarantee a fair trial is to hold them in the United States in federal court. Denying anyone the right to a fair trial is regressive and hypocritical.
But even military trials are more desirable than no trial. There is no reason to hold military prisoners indefinitely. No matter what crime a person has committed, they should be allowed due process. The holding of potential criminals, for as long as you like without the pursuit of conviction, is a dangerous policy. If I were Glenn Beck, I might suggest the policy may someday apply to U.S. citizens if left unchecked. Lucky for you guys, I’m not completely bat shit crazy.
Obama says he is still committed to closing down the Gitmo, and still wants to prosecute prisoners in federal courts. Nevertheless, his decisions to break promises and continue with the Bush status quo makes me question his legitimacy.
Ever since the Republican filibusters, Barry has been in a bi-partisan free fall. He has conceded on tax cuts, budget plans, healthcare, and numerous other issues. I have favored many of those compromises, but sustaining a notorious military prison is unacceptable. Therefore, I can only say the same for leadership under Obama. Don’t worry Mr. President. I’m sure you will do well on the speaking tours.
We live in a world requiring sober judgment and probity. In order to accomplish this, we need to treat people like human beings, no matter the crime. Obama has failed to display those values and seems to be promoting an agenda of oppression. There is no doubt those convicted deserve punishment, but our compassion and due process is what sets us above those whom we have imprisoned.