My feeble mind has always believed that a person holding the office of the President of the US was probably the most powerful person in the world. They had the power and might to do just about anything they wanted. Well, apparently that is not the case. And I am not even interested in the half baked threats of Trump in arriving at this conclusion, but rather my disappointment is with former President Obama.
In January 2009, on the second full day of his administration, President Barack Obama, issued an executive order directing closure of U.S. detention facilities at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba and a review of the status of detainees held there. I was certainly on board with that decision, as at the time, there were over 400 detainees, most held without any trial or legal conviction. They were imprisoned as fallout from the US fiasco in attacking Iraq and Afghanistan after 911.
The rule of law was ignored at Guantanamo and any semblance of justice or fair treatment was absent. Obama wished to correct this blatant symbol of miscarried justice. After eight years in office, he was unable to close the centre at Guantanamo. There were and still are many reasons why it is still home to 40 prisoners, but my interest in the issue is the failure of the most powerful man in the world to right an obvious wrong. Obama couldn’t get it done
Of the 693 total former detainees transferred out of Guantanamo, 30% are suspected or confirmed to have reengaged in terrorist activity. This means that over 500 have been returned quietly to civilian life into countries all over the globe, including Canada.
At present, Guantanamo Bay is costing American taxpayers $440 million a year -- or $10.7 million US per prisoner. That is an incredible amount of money to incarcerate individuals who have not legally been found guilty of any crime. I understand that they are probably very serious anti-American individuals, but their incarceration is a total contradiction to our civil liberties and the rule of law.
In addition, Guantanamo symbolizes to terrorists around the world the arrogance and hypocrisy of the freedoms and values that Americans pride themselves in having. Guantanamo is a constant rallying symbol for the Al Quadas and other extremist groups around the world. Keeping it open just waves a red flag in front of those who oppose the USA and increasingly other Western democratic countries.
The fact that President Obama, whom I admire, could not close this facility because of opposition from both Republicans and Democrats, and the US military, certainly illustrates the restricted power of the US President. They do not have the power to do whatever they want. While this fact was disappointing during Obama’s presidency, it is a very comforting notion now that Trump is in charge! Very comforting indeed!
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