Bush invites Senators and Press to Gitmo..

Published on June 20, 2005 By ShadowWar In War on Terror

President Bush today in an press conference about the EU summit was asked about the never ending Gitmo subject. But this time I think his answer was rather unexpected. You see he was asked about Gitmo and "secrete prisions" and what he did was invite the Senate and House members and those of the press that wanted to, to go to Gitmo and see for themselves what its like. Here is the transcript of the Press Conference question:

Q Mr. President, many in Europe are worrying that with the fight against terrorism the commitment of the United States to human rights is not as big as it used to be -- that is not only to do with Guantanamo, but also with the secret prisons where the CIA holds terror suspects. My question is, what will happen to these people who are held in these secret prisons by the CIA? Will they ever see a judge? Or is your thinking that with some terror suspects, the rule of law should not apply or does not have to have applied.

PRESIDENT BUSH: First of all, I appreciate that question, and I understand we -- those of us who espouse freedom have an obligation, and those who espouse human rights have an obligation to live that to those -- live up to those words. And I believe we are, in Guantanamo. I mean, after all, there's 24 hour inspections by the International Red Cross. You're welcome to go down yourself -- maybe you have -- and taking a look at the conditions. I urge members of our press corps to go down to Guantanamo and see how they're treated and to see -- and to see -- and to look at the facts. That's all I ask people to do. There have been, I think, about 800 or so that have been detained there. These are people picked up off the battlefield in Afghanistan. They weren't wearing uniforms, they weren't state sponsored, but they were there to kill.

And so the fundamental question facing our government was, what do you do with these people? And so we said that they don't apply under the Geneva Convention, but they'll be treated in accord with the Geneva Convention.

And so I would urge you to go down and take a look at Guantanamo. About 200 or so have been released back to their countries. There needs to be a way forward on the other 500 that are there. We're now waiting for a federal court to decide whether or not they can be tried in a military court, where they'll have rights, of course, or in the civilian courts. We're just waiting for our judicial process to move -- to move the process along.

Make no mistake, however, that many of those folks being detained -- in humane conditions, I might add -- are dangerous people. Some have been released to their previous countries, and they got out and they went on to the battlefield again. And I have an obligation, as do all of us who are holding office, to protect our people. That's a solemn obligation we all have. And I believe we're meeting that obligation in a humane way.

As well, as we've got some in custody -- Khalid Shaykh Muhammad is a classic example, the mastermind of the September the 11th attack that killed over 3,000 of our citizens. And he is being detained because we think he could possibly give us information that might not only protect us, but protect citizens in Europe. And at some point in time, he'll be dealt with, but right now, we think it's best that he be -- he be kept in custody.

We want to learn as much as we can in this new kind of war about the intention, and about the methods, and about how these people operate. And they're dangerous, and they're still around, and they'll kill in a moment's notice.

In the long run, the best way to protect ourselves is to spread freedom and human rights and democracy. And -- but if you've got questions about Guantanamo, I seriously suggest you go down there and take a look. And -- seriously, take an objective look as to how these folks are treated, and what has happened to them in the past, and when the courts make the decision they make, we'll act accordingly.

My Response:
He made three invitations for people to go look for themselves. Lets see how many actually take him up on this offer, how many will give it an actual look and make an objective report on it. I am willing to guess not many. Why? Becasue it would prove there is nothing there and they would have wasted all this time and press on something that really meant nothing and they would be shown for the fools that they are, rumor mongering hate mongers. As the Pres. said - Senator Durban, GO SEE FOR YOURSELF then come back and let us know what you saw. I DARE YOU! I know you won't though, its to easy a call and you don't want to be made the fool that you are.

Comments

ParaTed2k

on Jun 20, 2005

I remember when many Senators, House Members and other diginitaries made a trip to Iraq. Some time after that trip, I was watching speeches from the Senate floor about the war in Iraq. There were speeches made both for and against the war, mostly along expected party lines. The surprise was hearing the difference between the speeches made by those who took the opportunity to see for themselves, and those who hadn't.

Those who hadn't spewed the same rhetoric that had been echoed through the press. Same talking points, same buzz words, same Blah, Blah, Blah. Those who did go take a look for themselves were in awe of what they saw. Whole families running out of their homes, waving to the U.S. Military helicopters, welcomes by Iraq civilians and the highly motivated troops they spoke to. They spoke of how those families did not know they were waving at helicopter loads of Govenment civilians, all they saw was U.S. military helicopters, and that was what they were waving at.

Of course, each side of the issue came to their own conclusions based on what they saw, but their conclusions were based on fact, not fiction filtered through the press.

Let's hope there is the same amount of wisdom used by our representatives where Guantanimo Bay is concerned.

ShadowWar

on Jun 20, 2005

Para,

I have to laugh, only one comment and so many views. Guess the nay sayers don't have a lot to counter this one with. Its either put up or shut up time. And the President is saying put up! Lets see who takes him up on it.

MasonM

on Jun 20, 2005

I doubt very many will take him up on it. After all, it's much easier to just sit at a desk (or a bar) make up stuff to print.

Chuck

on Jun 20, 2005

I have a better idea...send the President, Vice-President, SecDef, DeLay and the rest to Iraq and let them camp out in a foxhole for a month and then participate in urban warfare for another month. Undoubtedly, they will return with a different attitude about war other than avoiding the draft.

I would be the first to jump for Gitmo if a journalist since the military would put on quite a dog and pony show for the press in lieu of all the negative publicity lately. George lives in a bubble and doesn't have the slightest idea of what is happening on this planet much less in Gitmo. After all, he is the one who engaged in a conversation with Pat Robertson and disdained any concept of casualties in the Iraq War since it would be over too fast for anyone to be hurt.

-----

on Jun 20, 2005

--That would never happen...ever...the SS would have a stroke...as for what bush is, i think he is a normal human being, he made a mistake in how quickley it (iraq war) was thought to be over with...we're all human...

Dr Guy

on Jun 21, 2005

After all, he is the one who engaged in a conversation with Pat Robertson and disdained any concept of casualties in the Iraq War since it would be over too fast for anyone to be hurt.

You should quote sources and full quotes. INstead of cherry picking. I could cherry pick your response and show how you have the greatest respect for Bush. Is that honest? It is as honest as your allegations.

-----

on Jun 21, 2005

--I tend to cherry pick some peoples comments...

ShadowWar

on Jun 26, 2005

OK now that a bunch of them have gone down there lets see what they say..

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