Today’s Qs for O’s WH – 5/20/2009
EmailTAPPER: Does President Obama think that American prisons are capable of holding detainees in a way that is safe for the American people?
GIBBS: Well, I’d — a lot of decisions have not been made. I would simply reiterate what I told Jennifer (Loven, from AP) which is, that the president would not make a decision or a judgment that would imperil the safety or security of anybody in this country.
TAPPER: Well, I’m not asking if the decisions are made. I’m just — I mean, this is one of the options.
GIBBS: Right.
TAPPER: And I’m just asking for a general view, does President Obama have confidence in American prisons, that they would be capable of holding a prisoner without letting them escape?
As you know, it’s a big debate on Capitol Hill. Harry Reid said he doesn’t want them in American prisons. But on the other hand, there are several terrorists that are currently in American prisons.
I’m wondering if the president has confidence that they’re capable of holding terrorists without them becoming free and wreaking havoc.
GIBBS: Well, I — I’d think if you — I read a little of stories around the debate on Capitol Hill this morning, as the Senate passed an amendment on detainees. The president expects to sign in short order a bill for supplemental appropriations.
As I think the debate was noted, there are people convicted of terrorism in our prisons, and the president is confident that the people that are in our prisons now are locked away securely.
TAPPER: So he does have confidence that American prisons are capable.
GIBBS: Well, again, I said what we have, we’re very capable of — we believe they’re very capable. What I’m saying is, before you get down the road on decisions that haven’t been made, I don’t know the degree to which the task force has looked into all that.
TAPPER: Can you just comment on the vote that the Senate…
GIBBS: Well, it — what I said yesterday, that we understand and agree that before resources are handed down, the Congress deserves more detail in a plan.
I think we’ve discussed already today some of the complex decisions that have to be made going forward. That the president will begin to frame part of this discussion tomorrow, outline some of the decisions that he know has to be made in conjunction with other agencies in this administration, as well as members of Congress.
You know, for — we’ve talked about this for the last few days, but for — for many years, there have been a patchwork of ad hoc legal theories that have maintained our detention system.
We know that court cases are coming every day that are rendering different judgments about what legal standards there are in this country, the values that we have to uphold.
And we’re taking all of that into account in making decisions about how to close Guantanamo Bay, because the president believes, and I would say members of both parties agree that Guantanamo Bay has become an image for recruitment for terrorists around the world.
And the president signed an order, early in his administration, to close it, and he intends to keep that promise.
- jpt
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The obama presidency is a disaster!!! He’s barely in office and just got slapped down by his own party!! What a mess!!!
Posted by: Duh | May 20, 2009, 3:24 pm 3:24 pm
If Obama wants to close Guantanamo because of political correctness, why not just give a new name that is more enemy friendly. Maybe rename it Camp Virgin Paradise.
Posted by: Sigmonde | May 20, 2009, 3:40 pm 3:40 pm
The obama presidency is a disaster!!! He’s barely in office and just got slapped down by his own party!! What a mess!!!
It’s called checks and balances….something we’re not used to with the republicans walking 100% in lock step with Bush for 8 years.
….it will be worked out to the benefit of all America
Posted by: actually | May 20, 2009, 3:45 pm 3:45 pm
Surely candidate Obama had thought through a lot of this when he was campaigning to shut down Gitmo.
as for this:
Gibbs:and I would say members of both parties agree that Guantanamo Bay has become an image for recruitment for terrorists around the world.
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It’s always something.
I remember when our base in Saudi Arabia (from which we carried out our no-fly zone monitoring flights) was the image for recruitment for terrorists around the world.
Posted by: MayBee | May 20, 2009, 3:45 pm 3:45 pm
“…Guantanamo Bay has become an image for recruitment for terrorists around the world.”
Just wait until Obama moves them to prisons in the USA! Multiple sources of recruitment and targets as well.
Posted by: Sally J | May 20, 2009, 4:18 pm 4:18 pm
Gibbs seems to be talking too much and constantly stepping on his proverbial d***. Let’s get Guantanamo closed and transfer the prisoners to supermax prisons and get them tried or let them lose on the shores of Saudi Arabia where all this started. Let the superrich Saudis deal with the terrorists. They side with extremists teaching Wahabism. Let’s see how they deal with them.
Posted by: Bob | May 20, 2009, 4:22 pm 4:22 pm
So, Gibbs understands that more detail was needed prior to asking for funding, but they asked for funding without the detail.. those tiny car safety issues have been addressed.. that comedian wasn’t picked by us…
Always aware, never wrong, never guilty.. just looking out for the good of the average American..
He would have made a good town crier.. it’s twelve o’clock and all’s well.. all’s well..
Posted by: DontGet818OnMeNow | May 20, 2009, 4:27 pm 4:27 pm
Sally J:”Just wait until Obama moves them to prisons in the USA! Multiple sources of recruitment and targets as well.”
? US prisons already hold a number of high profile Al Queada operatives (as Jake alluded to, from Sheik Omar Abdel Rahman to Masoud Khan). Their being treated to the same same dull little cells as rapists, murders and child molesters has not been a good recruiting image. It actually makes them look rather pathetic and powerless; unable to even rush to their ultimate afterlife reward Al Quaeda has not been eager to publicize their humane fates.
Posted by: jhw539 | May 20, 2009, 4:36 pm 4:36 pm
Jake, when are you going to learn? You have to go ask someone in the White House when you want answers!
Posted by: drjohn | May 20, 2009, 4:55 pm 4:55 pm
In addition to the high profile Al Qaeda operatives, which Gibbs may have alluded to, let’s not forget the domestic terrorists, like Tim McViegh and his accomplice, John Nichols, from the OKC federal building bombing. Of course, there are a number of lesser known terrorists being kept in prison, like the white supremacist in TX who was in possession of massive amounts of cyanide gas and arms. It’s funny how little attention the domestic terrorists receive. And let’s not forget the serial killers housed in prisons, such as Ted Bundy. US prisons have shown themselves to be quite competent in maintaining heinous individuals, and unfortunately, there’s a large number of that ilk in the penal system.
Posted by: kat | May 20, 2009, 4:58 pm 4:58 pm
“Their being treated to the same same dull little cells as rapists, murders and child molesters has not been a good recruiting image.”
Oh goody! Let’s put them in typical US prisons and witness them raped, beaten or murdered! Let’s show those images of them in those dull little cells! That’ll really endear Islamic countries!
Good thinking!
Posted by: drjohn | May 20, 2009, 4:58 pm 4:58 pm
“like Tim McViegh”
Kat, where do you think McVeigh is being held right now?
Posted by: drjohn | May 20, 2009, 4:59 pm 4:59 pm
Tick-tock, tick-tock….
Posted by: tjp612 | May 20, 2009, 4:59 pm 4:59 pm
It’s a funny irony that a lot of injustices are done every day in our system on a small scale, but these relatively few are deserving of all this attention and care for justice? Why don’t we all look the other way while they fall through the cracks and into isolated cells without recourse, like a forgotten drug dealer with no family or an elderly care patient with mild dimentia?
Posted by: MarkLeavenworth | May 20, 2009, 5:00 pm 5:00 pm
“And let’s not forget the serial killers housed in prisons, such as Ted Bundy.”
Bundy? In which prison is he?
Posted by: drjohn | May 20, 2009, 5:00 pm 5:00 pm
Kat, where do you think McVeigh is being held right now?
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That’s above my pay grade to answer since he was executed a while back. He and Bundy were examples of highly dangerous individuals that our prison systems could maintain. Perhaps you need to read my post again since you took it so literally. Good Day.
Posted by: kat | May 20, 2009, 5:21 pm 5:21 pm
TAPPER: Does President Obama think that American prisons are capable of holding detainees in a way that is safe for
the American people?
- This is a clever question Tapper that only needs a simple answer “If Gibbs says Yes the Democrats lose in 2010.”
TAPPER: Well, I’m not asking if the decisions are made. I’m just — I mean, this is one of the options.
- Sometimes the Press comes across like a bull dog. You sound want you want a commitment. Your single I take it right?
TAPPER: And I’m just asking for a general view, does President Obama have confidence in American prisons, that
they would be capable of holding a prisoner without letting them escape?
- TAPPER: This is were the press looks bad. Tapper the press always says that they reflect us right? No Game playing Tapper.
Others do it there I know but your better then that. Just ask the Question. We don’t want the Games.
TAPPER: As you know, it’s a big debate on Capitol Hill. Harry Reid said he doesn’t want them in American prisons.
But on the other hand, there are several terrorists that are currently in American prisons.
- I wish the Press had this same courage when Bush was there. Republicans have a campaign going right now to keep them out
of the USA. They are winning with their ads on this.
TAPPER: I’m wondering if the president has confidence that they’re capable of holding terrorists without them becoming
free and wreaking havoc.
- You are no longer representing us TAPPER it about a game of cat and mouse with Gibbs. THe focus instead of the issue
becomes about this game.
TAPPER: So he does have confidence that American prisons are capable.
- Sounds like your asking for a commitment. By this time Grandma needs to talk to you she worried you may never get married.
TAPPER I know everyone does this and sometimes its distracting and sounds like a game between the Press and Gibbs and the issue becomes secondary.
Posted by: Contemplative Democrat | May 20, 2009, 5:57 pm 5:57 pm
Actually, Ted Bundy is a bit of a bad example, as he twice escaped from jail.
He had already been charged with murder and was awaiting trial in CO when he escaped, ran to Florida, and committed the heinous Chi Omega rape/bludgeoning/murders.
Posted by: MayBee | May 20, 2009, 6:02 pm 6:02 pm
Actually, Ted Bundy is a bit of a bad example, as he twice escaped from jail.
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Oops. I guess I should keep up better with serial killers.
Posted by: kat | May 20, 2009, 7:02 pm 7:02 pm
By David Morgan, WASHINGTON (Reuters),
Tue Jan 13, 2009 3:32pm EST – Pentagon: 61 ex-Guantanamo inmates return to terrorism.Pentagon spokesman Geoff Morrell said 18 former detainees are confirmed as “returning to the fight” and 43 are suspected of having done in a report issued late in December 2008 by the Defense Intelligence Agency.
Pentagon officials say that about 110 detainees should never be released because of the potential danger they pose to U.S. interests.Washington has cleared 50 of the detainees for release but cannot return them to their home countries because of the risk they would be tortured or persecuted there.
- If they will torture or persecute their own, what the heck do you think they would do to us Americans or anyone else for that matter? It is a matter of National Security and safety of the American citizens to maintain the prison in Guantanamo Bay. The guy in the White House better rethink his plans.Or we are going to be in a world of hurt by closing Guantanamo Bay Prison.
Posted by: d | May 20, 2009, 7:39 pm 7:39 pm
Another disappointing story. Now we are going to worry about these prisoners escaping our maximum security prisons and wreaking havoc? Honestly, the level of fear some of the media and some politicians try to flare up on the silliest subjects.
I’d like to think we Americans are not scared so easily.
Posted by: Lydia | May 20, 2009, 7:42 pm 7:42 pm
Honestly, the level of fear some of the media and some politicians try to flare up on the silliest subjects.
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Yes, as terrorism continues to increase exponentially as it has for at least the past five years. And the corrupted and compromised state of intelligence is ignored, which used torture in 2002 to in an attempt to link Al Qaeda to Hussein. What’s being brought up in the report almost qualifies as a distraction.
Posted by: kat | May 20, 2009, 8:03 pm 8:03 pm
So Terrorism is a silly subject? Huh?
Posted by: d | May 20, 2009, 8:20 pm 8:20 pm
Posted by: kat | May 20, 2009 7:02:09 PM
And he’s dead too.
Posted by: drjohn | May 20, 2009, 9:51 pm 9:51 pm
“US prisons already hold a number of high profile Al Queada operatives (as Jake alluded to, from Sheik Omar Abdel Rahman to Masoud Khan).”
You’re barking up the wrong tree here. You need to take this matter up with the ninety senators who voted no today. Have fun, and good luck.
Posted by: Fascist Hyena | May 20, 2009, 10:03 pm 10:03 pm
Kit Bond in an interview today, actually said that if Gitmo prisoners were in America, they could be visited by Al Queda members….
he also implied that if Al Queda was on the moon, the green cheese would be in danger.
Posted by: Oh Yeah | May 21, 2009, 12:52 am 12:52 am
d, the subject here isn’t terrorism. This is where it is very useful to read an article before posting.
The subject is fearing prisoners escaping maximum security prisons. There are thousands of really scary prisoners there now. But the fear of them escaping hasn’t been a topic until now. I don’t know what we are all supposed to be picturing. Perhaps these guys held in Guantanomo are some kind of evil superheroes who will escape the maximum security prisons that our American evil-doers can’t. Honestly, it is laughable how easily some people are manipulated.
If you weren’t afraid of prisoners escaping these high-tech prisons last month, why is it on your mind now? Because it is useful for you to be afraid now, useful for some people who want to keep the off-shore prison open, the same people who want the useless torture to continue, etc. And it is especially useful to those at the top of the previous adminstration to keep things going the same way, so they won’t be prosecuted for breaking our laws.
Posted by: Lydia | May 21, 2009, 8:47 am 8:47 am