The truth is, it’s probably one of the finest prisons in the world today. But it has a taint.
Defense Secretary Robert Gates • Who says that, due to a reputation that precedes it, Guantanamo is no longer worth keeping. “The name itself is a condemnation,” he told NBC’s “Today” show. • source
Mr. Obama risks turning Mr. Bush’s mistakes into his own or, in the case of the photographs, turning Mr. Bush’s cover-up into his own.
The New York Times • In an editorial denouncing both Obama’s decision to not release photos of prisoner abuse in Afghanistan and Iraq, as well as the continuation of military tribunals. They admit that Obama’s getting drama over it from both ends, but they think he’s not doing enough to take a stand against Bush’s systemic failures. (We agree.) • source
With respect to Afghanistan and Pakistan, I am extremely dubious that the administration will be able to accomplish what it wants to accomplish.
Rep. David R. Obey, D-Wisconsin • On the war on terror and the perceived lack of progress inherited from the Bush administration by the Obama administration. Obey, chair of the House Appropriations Committee, compares the situation to Nixon and the Vietnam War, and says Obama has a year to show progress. • source
Apparently, he was afraid of rocking the boat a little too much. The photos, which document the abuse of detainees in Iraq and Afghanistan by U.S. military, could tick off the Muslim world at large, Obama was told by his military advisers. So rather than cause a buttload of fresh drama, Obama chose to keep the photos sealed. Probably a smart move on his part. We can live without seeing photos of waterboarding. source
Five of Obama’s six possible choices are women, and just one is a dude. We wonder which way he’s leaning. Clearly, it’s with the guy. Because he’s dropping tons of hints. source
The judicial choices are two female appeals court justices, Sonia Sotomayor and Diane Wood, and a male Calif. Supreme Court justice, Carlos Moreno. source
Solicitor General Elena Kagan, who argues for the government in Supreme Court cases, is also a possibility. Plus, she knows everyone on the bench already. Hooray! source
Outside of the courtroom are Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm and Homeland Security Sec. Janet Napolitano, both of whom are fairly well-known. source
Whoever wins the race to become the next Supreme Court justice, we recommend using extra Lysol on David Souter’s chair, because who knows where that guy’s been? source
