Obama gives Guantanamo Prisoners an extra 4 MONTHS before they get a trial

The procedures are illegal. Those prisoners have not been charged with anything.

My understanding is that the trials were in danger of being dismissed if they went further immediately because evidence against the detainees included testimony taken while being illegally tortured. That evidence then becomes invalid if used, the cases dismissed, and the detainees released. I think the idea behind delaying the hearings is so the cases can be reviewed with the hope they can be conducted in accordance with US and International law (ie: the Geneva Convention?), and in line with the US Constitution. I welcome this break from the "shoot first, ask questions later" mentality of the Bush Administration - which is what got us in trouble in the first place. Of course it'd be great for our sense of national security to just execute these guys with no trial, but that would be unacceptable if we are also to lead the world in spreading and supporting freedom and democracy. One of the unfortunate burdens of living free is conducting ourselves in accordance with the law.

Yes it might take them 4 months longer to get out of Guantanamo, as Obama decides if it's good to close it, which I hope he does because a lot of innocent people are stuck there. But at least for those 4 months they won't be getting tortured or water boarded. Of course you can't just let everyone out. Some people might actually be dangerous. In fact, I'm sure there are several dangerous people there. But at least he's examining the process and not just letting them sit there forever, which seems to me what Bush was doing.

You make some good points. All thru the campaigns I kept asking liberals why are you so in love with Obama and saying he will save your son (from the war) when he has said he wants to hit Afghanistan much harder, talked about invading Pakistan, etc? And what I kept reading and hearing: Oh that's just to appease the morons and get elected! I kept asking, why would they want a President that lies to get elected? Usually, no answer, or just that it's worth it (worth ANYTHING) to have him be President. The question remains: Where is the real Obama, and what are his real intentions? Where does the real Obama land on these topics? And no one seems to know the answer. Newt Gingrich, while acknowledging that he was wrong in predicting Hillary would be the nominee, has a theory. His thinking is that Obama is really much more of a centrist that anyone realized and that he was "brilliant" in his ability to allow the more extreme left siders to believe he was 'for them', without actually saying so -- thus getting their support to get into office, and then going centrist. Exactly what you're saying. All I can say is I sure HOPE and PRAY that is correct! Because if the extreme left is correct in thinking he misrepresented himself to get elected and will now jump wholeheartedly into doing their bidding, we are in serious trouble. And those prisoners of war (that's what they are, despite the cries otherwise) in Gitmo include those who had a major hand in the 9/11 attacks -- and at least one has admitted in court already that he did it. I can't imagine ANYONE in our country wanting to allow those particular terrorists in Gitmo to be set free!! And yet, it is true. That's what they want. So I hope and pray that the prosecutions continue after the 120 days is up. I'm starting to wonder if Obama is much much more of an idealist than anyone thought, too. I mean, he keeps saying there will be the rule of law and transparency to his administration. He announces new rules for lobbyists who work for him today too. And he wants to postpone the prosecutions in Gitmo in order to have a look at what's been going on, the process, the charges, etc. In other words, is he just wanting to make sure, to his satisfaction, that everything is above board, and then he will continue with the prosecutions? Let's hope so. Maybe idealist is the wrong word. Maybe he had a rude awakening when he started getting briefings like Bush was getting. If he is indeed brilliant at "handling" people, I sure hope he uses that for our good.

Well, it's the diplomatic way to go about it. This way he pleases those who want Guantanamo Bay closed, and those who want those people brought to justice. Now they'll go through a lengthy review process that will also allow for time to close that place down and move the prisoners to the US, which after all was Obama's plan and promise. After the 'review' they'll most likely conclude that changes will have to be made, which again will allow for those people to be tried in some way, now in the US. That again will appease those who want those people brought to justice. Since the trials will be speedy and humane with more 'justice' for the prisoners involved, the ACLU and whoever else wants those prisoners to be treated nicely and send back home, will be happy, too. Both sides will think they achieved something. Yep, you are right, he can make both sides believe that he agrees with them;)

Well i think this is for the best. Lord knows through I history we have excuted enough innocent men. Now, Most of these people will probably never see the light of day again. But as he said in his speech We don`t throw away our values to do to win this war. Fair and open trials are the only way handle this. I don`t think he is trying to get over on anyone.just doing what he said he would.

LOL... perhaps 0bama will gain the support of everyone like me if he keeps this up. Unfortunately, this will lose him most of the votes he received from others. This could lead to 0bama being a one term President. In the next election, if everyone who voted McCain votes for 0bama and everyone who voted for 0bama votes for the other guy, we know what happens!