Closing Gitmo

This morning President Obama signed an order to close Guantanamo Bay detention center within one year.

The President stated that:

"We intend to win this fight. We're going to win it on our terms," and "The message that we are sending the world is that the United States intends to prosecute the ongoing struggle against violence and terrorism and we are going to do so vigilantly and we are going to do so effectively and we are going to do so in a manner that is consistent with our values and our ideals."

With approximately 245 prisoners being held at Gitmo and uncertainty as to where to send them or what to do with them, what is next? Will they be sent to other federal detention centers, back to their home countries - to the federal prison in your backyard? Will we be prosecuting them for war crimes, if so which ones, where will they be held while they await trial - who's neighborhood? Will they be held in D.C., by the politicians who want them closer to home?

Before you give me a hard time for being sarcastic and cynical, think about this for a second. I am 100% against torturous treatment, but I also - just like every other person in this country - don't know if one or every one of these possible 245 prisoners is a potential terrorist. If even one of them are, do we really want them in our local federal prisons? I have questions, questions that were not answered by this mornings order that was signed.

I think it is wonderful that we are not going to be bully's and torture people - but I don't think it's so great to bring those people into our backyard without fully being certain we are protected from them if they are a threat to us in any way. So, is there a federal prison in D.C. they can keep these people in since our current administration doesn't seem to think they are such a big deal to worry about? I don't want any of these people held in the federal prisons in my backyard, and I'm sure you don't either. But, if our politicians are not so worried then it should be okay to house them in a federal prison in D.C. until they all get a trial date, right?

There, problem solved.

Just one little citizens opinion... and of course we all have one...

Watching History Unfold

I sat glued to my television set as I watched Barack Obama become our Nation's 44th President. Wow! History being made before my very eyes. To think it wasn't all that long ago that our Country was embroiled in the Civil Rights Movement. Now, today, I am moved to tears as I watch this bi-racial young man take the Presidential Oath of Office.

What hope is now given to all people across this great Country of mixed races, and multi-cultures, and of any race!

I was very moved by President Obama's speech. There were parts of his speech that I was a bit concerned with, but the man is an amazing speaker and gave me much to ponder on as an individual citizen. For that I am very thankful.

What a glorious day for our Country! We have turned a page, created beautiful history and built a new road - a new age of tolerance of acceptance for all people.

Regardless of politics, today is a day to be very, very proud of our Country. I know I am.