Saturday, November 28, 2009

Opinion

A Slim Majority Favors Obama's Order to Close Guantánamo Bay

The numbers behind Obama's order to close the Guantánamo Bay detention facility within a year

Posted January 26, 2009
  • 53: Percentage of Americans in favor of closing the Guantánamo Bay detention facility
  • 42: Percentage of Americans who think terror suspects should remain at Gitmo
  • 6 in 10: Americans think detainees should be put on trial in the regular court system
  • 750: Number of prisoners at Gitmo at its height
  • 245: Number of prisoners currently being held at Gitmo

Read more Data Points

Sources: Washington Post-ABC Poll, National Public Radio, Associated Press

Reader Comments

Gauntananmo

I am all for closing closing Guantama bay. It's about time that people held in Guantánamo are not criminals, they are people being held prisoners because of their beliefs.seriously people, get a clue! This goes to show how ignorant white people are. had they had any interest whatsoever in politics and culture, they would have know this already. All the people in Latin America already knew this! Only the white people recently found out the truth about Guantanama Bay!! So they're like WOW, BIG SHOCK! yeah only to them. Anyway, I'm all for Obama. I'm hoping he'll also lift the embargo between the US and Cuba

Get a clue

The people held in Guantánamo are not criminals, they are not POW, they are illegal combatants conducting terrorist activities around the world. What do you want to do give them the same rights as American citizens? Do you want to apply the Geneva Contention? They do not meet either classification. Their home countries want nothing to do with them.

I am all for closing down Guantánamo, but what are you going to do with them? How about we put them in your backyard?

I love all these people with these great ideas as long as what they want has no negative impact on them.

Should be more support

Guantanamo is a place we have held people for years with no trial. That is un-American, and viewed as unreasonable by legal folks worldwide.

Put them through the legal system, try them, and convict or acquit. We have no right to hold them because we suspect someone...Some have been held for seven years!!!

There are a few who should be convicted and legally sent to prison forever as far as I am concerned. The rest - we have lost our moral compass based solely on fear.

I heartily endorse closing a prison with folks who have not been convicted. Submit these folks to international tribunals,and be done with it!!!!

Fear is no justification for immoral action. As Ben Franklin said" The man who trades freedom for security does not deserve nor will he ever receive either. "

We turn our backs on our heritage is we support Guantanamo.

Add your thoughts

Your comment will be posted immediately, unless it is spam or contains profanity. For more information, please see our Comments FAQ.

advertisement

Crossword Puzzle

Do You Like Crosswords?

We've added a new feature to our weekly digital magazine: an exclusive crossword puzzle!

advertisement

Cartoon Gallery

Editorial Cartoon

Political Cartoons

Check out our most recent cartoons.

Mary Kate Cary

Mary Kate Cary

The GOP Should Reach Out to Women

The male-dominated party just doesn't understand what women want.

Mort Zuckerman

Mort Zuckerman

The Financial System Needs a Careful Cure

Let the Federal Reserve oversee new regulations for finance giants.

Palin Cartoon Gallery

Editorial Cartoon on Sarah Palin

We've assembled some of the best editorial cartoons on Sarah Palin. Check them out.

Thomas Jefferson St.

Thank You, Bob Dylan

He’s still touring around America like a rolling stone.

GOP Can Be Thankful for Strong Polls

But they cannot get complacent.

5 Reasons for a Democratic Thanksgiving

Michael Steele and healthcare reform top the list.

Women Have Say on Health Reform

If it's the year of the women, why are there so few of them?

Turkey Tax

Uncle Sam is joining in on your Thanksgiving dinner.

Ideological Labels Just Don't Fit

Hard-liners don't understand that some of us don't toe an ideological line.

A Decade in Biased Review

How well does the video sum up the last decade?

Your Photos

President Barack Obama speaks about combat troop level reductions in Iraq as he addresses military personnel at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune.

Obama in Your Town

Has the president visited your town? Send your photos to obamaphotos@usnews.com, and we'll post our favorites online.

Courtesy Greg Meinert

Thousands cheer as Obama becomes the 44th president.

Your Inauguration Photos

Thanks for sending us such great shots from this historic event.


A baby kissing an Obama poster for Washington Whispers.

Your Campaign Photos

We asked to see your personal election pictures and you delivered.

Public Opinion

Should the GOP Have a Litmus Test?

Should the RNC exclude politicians who don't match the party's platform?

advertisement

Use of this Web site constitutes acceptance of our Terms and Conditions of Use and Privacy Policy.
Make USNews.com your home page.