tagged w/ Issue
-
WASHINGTON — For all of his liberal positions on the environment, taxes and health care, President Barack Obama is a hawk when it comes to the war on terror.
From deadly drones to secret interrogations to withholding evidence in terror lawsuits, Obama's Democratic White House has followed the path of his predecessor, Republican President George W. Bush. The U.S. detention center at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, remains open, despite Obama's pledge to close it, and his administration has pursued leaks of classified information to reporters even more aggressively than Bush's.
"They have maintained momentum in a lot of important areas that we were focused on, and they've continued to build in those areas," said Ken Wainstein, the White House homeland security adviser and a top Justice Department lawyer under Bush. "You can see an appreciation for the severity of the threat, the need to stand up to it, and the need to go on offense at times."
John Brennan's confirmation hearing this week to be CIA director showed just how much Washington — and especially Democrats — has come to accept the same counterterrorism policies that drew such furor in the first years after the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.
Brennan refused to call waterboarding a form of torture but called it "reprehensible" and, if CIA director, said he would not allow it. He also said he didn't know whether any valuable information was gleaned as a result. His more than three hours of testimony was received by a mostly friendly panel of senators, and his confirmation is expected to move forward soon.
In October 2007, by contrast, Bush's attorney general nominee, Judge Michael Mukasey, called waterboarding "repugnant" but also refused to say whether it was torture. His confirmation was delayed for three weeks and nearly derailed. No one expects Brennan not to be confirmed.
White House spokesman Tommy Vietor said Obama has stopped or softened a number of Bush's security tactics, including ending harsh interrogations, closing secret prisons and, overall, trying to be more transparent about counterterror policy. But he noted that Obama has delivered on his campaign promises to kill or capture Osama bin Laden, take the battle to al-Qaida in Pakistan and Yemen before its members can attack the U.S., and to end the war in Iraq.
"Yes, we're still fighting al-Qaida, but I think there are very few people who would take issue with that," Vietor said Friday. "This president does what he says he's going to do, and I think that's noticed around the world."
Obama's embrace of many of Bush's counterterror policies did not hurt him in his re-election bid last year. In one key rejection of Bush's legacy, Obama repeatedly has said he believes waterboarding — the interrogation tactic that simulates drowning — is torture and illegal and that it will not be used under his watch.
But Brennan, a career CIA officer who has served as Obama's top counterterrorism official since 2009, told the Senate Intelligence Committee on Thursday that because he was not a lawyer he could not answer whether he personally believes waterboarding is torture. The CIA waterboarded at least three al-Qaida detainees before the tactic was banned in 2006.
The parallels between Obama's and Bush's security policies were on sharp display in the run-up to Brennan's hearing over the use of deadly drones to kill suspected terrorists, including U.S. citizens, overseas.
A newly surfaced Justice Department memo from 2012 outlined the Obama administration's decision to kill al-Qaida suspects without evidence that specific and imminent plots were being planned against the United States. At Thursday's hearing, Brennan defended the missile strikes by the unmanned drones, saying they are used only against people who are considered active threats to the U.S. — and never as retribution for earlier attacks.
In a way that Bush did not, Obama has sought congressional approval of laws that he then uses as the basis of many of the counterterror policies he has carried over from his Republican predecessor. He successfully lobbied Congress three times to renew the controversial USA Patriot Act, the 2001 law that lets the government put roving wiretaps on U.S. citizens' phones with a secret court order and obtain other personal and financial records with no judicial approval at all.
White House spokesman Jay Carney defended the deadly strikes as legal under a 2001 law authorizing the use of military force against al-Qaida. CIA drones also have been used in attacks, including the 2011 killing in Yemen of U.S. citizen Anwar al-Awlaki, a cleric with suspected ties to at least three attacks planned or carried out on U.S. soil: the Fort Hood, Texas, shooting that claimed 13 lives in 2009, a failed attempt to down a Detroit-bound airliner the same year and a thwarted plot to bomb cargo planes in 2010.
But Congress has grown increasingly uneasy with at least some of the authorities. Democratic Rep. Barbara Lee of California, a staunch Obama supporter, calls the military force law "overly broad" and has been seeking to overturn it for years.
"He's got to end that," Lee said. She described a "huge difference in policies" between Obama and Bush but added: "I respectfully disagree on some, including the use of that (use of force) resolution, and that would not matter who was president. That resolution is there until we repeal it, and I want it repealed if we're going to end this state of perpetual war."
Lee is among the dovish Democrats who also are displeased with Obama's decisions to surge U.S. troops to Afghanistan in 2009 and lead NATO military airstrikes at the height of the Libyan crisis in 2011. But, in a testament to his case-by-case deliberations on foreign policy and national security, Obama refused to similarly intervene or arm rebels in Syria and opposes a near-term military strike on Iran. He also ended the U.S. war in Iraq by withdrawing all Americans troops by the end of 2011 as promised.
Still, Obama's hawkish counterterror bona fides are undeniable.
Determined to not bring any terror detainees to Guantanamo Bay, the government has begun interrogating suspects on Navy warships before they are given a chance to speak to a lawyer. The information gleaned from those interrogations, including in the case of al-Shabab operative Ahmed Abdulkadir Warsame, is not allowed to be used in court but it can be used to pursue others. And the FBI can later question the terror suspects. Al-Shabab is a Somali-based terror group that has been linked to al-Qaida.
The Obama administration also has fought for, and won, the right to withhold evidence in terror lawsuits that it says could threaten U.S. security. The use of the so-called state secrets privilege gives the president limitless power to keep information from becoming public and hampers court oversight in cases that could be embarrassing to the government.
Critics say Obama's use of the state secrets privilege represents a surprising reversal by the constitutional lawyer-turned-president and threatens American civil liberties. Last month, a federal judge in New York chided the Obama administration for refusing to turn over documents in a case relating to al-Alwaki's killing but said she had no authority to order them disclosed.
More than any other president in U.S. history, Obama has invoked the Espionage Act to prosecute government officials accused of leaking classified information to reporters. His administration has used the law six times in leak investigations since 2009 — compared with three since it was enacted in 1917.
[Continue reading at provided link]
__
Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
http://xfinity.comcast.net/articles/news-general/20130209/US.Obama.War.Posture/WASHINGTON — For all of his liberal positions on the environment, taxes and... more
-
-
Culdee
-
added this
-
3 months ago
- |
-
The testing of animals creates more horror stories that should be examined from the standpoint of humanization. It is not morally alright to experiment on animals especially since they have to undergo horrific suffering.The testing of animals creates more horror stories that should be examined from the... more
-
-
The Current Cause: http://current.com/cause
We want you to create a 30-second video that spotlights a person, group, or company who is doing something unique and interesting to save the planet.
Five videos as selected by Current will air on Current TV and the respective producers will earn $2,500. Out of the five videos selected, one will be selected as the "Premiere" video, which will debut on Current TV around Earth Day and the producer will earn an additional $2,500 ($5,000 in total).The Current Cause: http://current.com/cause
We want you to create a 30-second video... more
-
-
ctv
-
added this
-
2 years ago
- |
-
-
Rejecting suggestions that selection goof-ups led to India's humiliating defeat in the first Test against South Africa, chairman of selectors Kris Srikkanth today said he is still ready to face the sack if held responsible for the debacle.Rejecting suggestions that selection goof-ups led to India's humiliating defeat... more
-
-
Behind the scenes of the W.B.C. Magazine photo shoot of Ashley Nicole Fox. We turn Ashley Nicole Fox into Sailor Moon, a Japanese cartoon character. wbcmag.blogspot.comBehind the scenes of the W.B.C. Magazine photo shoot of Ashley Nicole Fox. We turn... more
-
-
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/Delhi-Metro-enters-Noida-to-open-to-public-tomorrow/articleshow/5222704.cms
Delhi Metro has connected nearby cities Delhi and Noida. This comes as a great milestone for the project that has been remarkably efficient under Delhi's Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit. While many other large-scale government projects in India suffer from corruption and delays, the metro project has remained relatively corruption-free and on schedule. Its relative success so far may be linked its status as a private-public entity, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation, which largely stays out of reach of the hands of corrupt politicians and government employees. Perhaps continued praise of successful and effective government undertakings will hold India to a higher standard, allowing it to reach its full potential for sustainable growth and a higher quality of life for all its citizens. Positive but honest media and publicity, such as the Discovery Channel's "24 Hours with the Delhi Metro," will hopefully garner support for effective management in Indian government undertakings, and for this project designed to reduce pollution and traffic. The metro project, however, has experienced at least two fatal accidents in the course of its construction. Continued press coverage of this project and others, alongside public demand for quality results, will decide how well the Indian government will tackle its many challenges going forward.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/Delhi-Metro-enters-Noida-to-open-to-public-tomorrow/articleshow/5222704.cmshttp://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/Delhi-Metro-enters-Noida-to-open-to-publi... more
-
-
The Trolley Man is a light-hearted portrait of pensioner Ernest Smith, known throughout the London suburb of Enfield, as The Trolley Man. For the last 5 years Ernest has campaigned for the removal of abandoned supermarket trollies in his local areas.
However, not everyone is as interested in trollies as he is...
One of my graduation films from my degree in Documentary Film and Television at the International Film School of Wales.
www.dfmarquez.comThe Trolley Man is a light-hearted portrait of pensioner Ernest Smith, known... more
-
-
New Delhi: A Supreme Court advocate has raised the issue of "judicial impropriety" on the part of Justice S Murlidhar, who had sat on the Bench that delivered the path-breaking judgement in the 'gay sex' case. In two separate letters written to the Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court Justice A P Shah and Members of Parliament, advocate Janak Raj Jai contended that Justice Murlidhar had himself filed a writ petition in 1994 as a lawyer in the High Court seeking quashing of Section 377 of the IPC.
When contacted, Justice Murlidhar's Secretary said the judge was aware of the letter (of the advocate) but had no comments to make.
Jai said ...New Delhi: A Supreme Court advocate has raised the issue of "judicial... more
-
-
Global warming, economy crisis and Valentine Day have triggered the newspaper headlines in this February. Besides these issues, they’re other important issues that require our attention too. Find out from this article what they are.Global warming, economy crisis and Valentine Day have triggered the newspaper... more
-
-
Haitian mothers are forced to choose which children will live or die due to food shortage. They are so desperate for food that many mothers wait to name their newborn because they know infants will die of malnutrition. Food crises erupted across the globe this year in countries such as Egypt and India also United States also warned that they were running out of food because of unprecedented demand. The news from the World Food Program says: “A child dies of hunger every six seconds, and huger now kills more people every year than AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis combined”. As World Hunger Relief Week is marked, more people are asking: Why are so many people starving and what, if anything, can be done to eradicate hunger?Haitian mothers are forced to choose which children will live or die due to food... more
-
-
afridi
-
added this
-
4 years ago
- |
-
In exit polls homelessness was cited as the top issue -- and so it is for Gregor Robertson: "Job No. 1 is calling together an emergency task force on homelessness and working on solutions to getting people off the street into a safe place to live as quickly as possible," Robertson said, minutes after delivering an effusive acceptance speech.In exit polls homelessness was cited as the top issue -- and so it is for Gregor... more
-
-
As the financial crisis has worsened and the economy has deteriorated, basic pocketbook issues -- taxes, jobs, retirement -- have taken center stage in the presidential race between Democrat Barack Obama and Republican John McCain.
When the new president "comes to town in January, he'll have to work on the short-term stimulus to the economy, and the longer-term plans may get deferred," says Clint Stretch, managing principal of tax policy at Deloitte Tax. "But the issue isn't the economic-recovery package and what the budget looks like in 2009, but what it will look like come 2012."
With less than two weeks to go before Election Day, Sunday Journal takes a look at the candidates' positions on the issues that will most affect your family's finances. We culled information from party position papers on Web sites, speeches and nonpartisan third-party reports.
Short-Term Economic Relief
To respond to voters who want immediate economic help, both candidates have proposed specific plans on how to jump-start the economy in 2008 and 2009.
Sen. Obama proposes a $1,000 Emergency Energy Rebate to families ($500 for individuals) and penalty-free withdrawals of 15% from 401(k)s and IRAs up to $10,000. He also wants to temporarily suspend minimum distribution requirements for retirement accounts.
Sen. McCain proposes cutting the capital-gains rate on stock held for more than a year to 7.5%. He also would increase the amount of stock loss that is deductible against ordinary income from $3,000 to $15,000, and would tax withdrawals by seniors from IRAs and 401(k)s no more than 10%.
More at link..As the financial crisis has worsened and the economy has deteriorated, basic... more
-
-
The Tories have carved out a niche as the tough-on-crime party, focusing on stiff punishment because they say it is a deterrent.
The Tories have carved out a niche as the tough-on-crime party, focusing on stiff... more
-
-
This is a short documentary following an ex-gang member's struggle to turn his life around. It was produced for a class at Brooks Institute and is the student's final documentary project before leaving school to pursue a career in photojournalism and documentary filmmaking.This is a short documentary following an ex-gang member's struggle to turn his... more
-
-
The United States Bureau of Land Management has come up with a solution for the growing populations of wild horses in the Western US - mass roundup and in the near future, euthanasia. The Bureau has been accused of ignoring the issue for 10 years or more, and now working for the good of local cattle farmers, who compete for the same lands the wild horses graze on. Their only solution thus far has been to roundup the horses and offer adoptions, but with the economy in a slump, adoptions are down. The United States Bureau of Land Management has come up with a solution for the... more
-
-
That's right folks; for the first time in human history, there may be no ice at the North Pole this summer.
... And global warming doesn't exist ... yeesh.
If you have an opinion or witty comment, feel free to leave a comment.That's right folks; for the first time in human history, there may be no ice at... more
-
-
Maybe I am just growing into this, but it feels like there are so many different issues going on right now and I want to help out, but which issue do I help with?
I mean look at it:
- The floods
- Tornadoes
- FEMA trailers
- The Red Cross is out of money
- Hurricane Katrina Victims are still struggling and now they are in danger of another hurricane this season
- Energy Crisis
- Gas prices
- Global Warming
- World Poverty
- Water is running out...especially in Southern California
and that's just a few here in the US...there are also huge global issues!
Ahh...why do I feel overwhelmed! What do we do...what is it you choose to do? I am not about to sit back and watch from a distance, I am ready to help, but I am also gaining about $30,000 of debt...
How do I make money enough money to pay my debts and rent while also helping out?! Does anyone have the answer?Maybe I am just growing into this, but it feels like there are so many different... more
-
-
A peak into the life of what it means to be a Third Culture Kid and the struggles that go along with growing up without a "home" culture. A peak into the life of what it means to be a Third Culture Kid and the struggles that... more
-
-
efryer
-
added this
-
5 years ago
- |
-
Peninsular Bighorn Sheep our native only to Southern California and down into Baja. A recent move has been passed to reduce the amount of protected land for this majestic creature, failing to see the importance of this animal.Peninsular Bighorn Sheep our native only to Southern California and down into Baja. A... more
-
