Patterico's Pontifications

12/28/2009

Two More Reasons Not to Close Guantanamo (Update: & 97 More)

Filed under: Obama,Terrorism — DRJ @ 2:38 pm

[Guest post by DRJ]

ABC News reports:

“Two of the four leaders allegedly behind the al Qaeda plot to blow up a Northwest Airlines passenger jet over Detroit were released by the U.S. from the Guantanamo prison in November, 2007.”

That’s bad. So is this:

“American officials agreed to send the two terrorists from Guantanamo to Saudi Arabia where they entered into an “art therapy rehabilitation program” and were set free, according to U.S. and Saudi officials.”

Note to those who support closing Guantanamo: This is called learning the hard way. You should have to clean this mess up but, unfortunately, it’s everyone’s mess now.

H/T Dmac, with my thanks.

– DRJ

Update: In the comments, Karl notes that the Obama Administration may send 97 more Guantanamo detainees to the Saudi art therapy release program … and a few Yemenis may be sent straight home without even having to go through rehab.

55 Comments

  1. Wow. Just saw that and headed over to see if you had posted on it. Glad to see you did.

    Just wow.

    Comment by Patterico (424a94) — 12/28/2009 @ 2:54 pm

  2. Apples and oranges. Presumably, closing Guantanamo doesn’t preclude detaining terrorists somewhere else and keeping Guantanamo open doesn’t preclude clueless authorities from letting some go before their time.

    This isn’t a Guantanamo issue, it is more an example of our national security bureaucracy not being willing to do what is necessary to keep America safe. There is less concrete evidence that releasing terrorists helps keeps America safe than there is evidence that humans are causing a cataclysmic rise in temperatures, yet those in charge keep pursuing their ridiculous theories.

    Comment by steve sturm (7629b0) — 12/28/2009 @ 3:01 pm

  3. omg that was wicked cool how you started with the sniffy apples and oranges comment and then juxtaposed Guantanamo and the climate change fraud without missing a beat…

    you. rock.

    Comment by happyfeet (71f55e) — 12/28/2009 @ 3:07 pm

  4. Another good use:

    The US should have specified points of entry for certain country’s nationals, and these same country’s airlines would be restricted to the same airports. For places like Sudan, Nigeria, Pakistan, Yemen, Somalia, etc, that POE could be Guantanamo.

    Waste not, want not.

    Comment by Kevin Murphy (3c3db0) — 12/28/2009 @ 3:12 pm

  5. [...] What Geneva conventions? You’re in America now, pal. Patterico’s Pontifications: Two More Reasons Not to Close Guantanamo and Obama Should Visit Guantanamo and Coming Soon: The 9/11 Five and “Why We Did It” Gateway [...]

    Pingback by Stephen Crowder Exposes the REAL Club Gitmo… Guantánamo Bay Is a Paradise for Terrorists (video) « Frugal Café Blog Zone (a66042) — 12/28/2009 @ 3:14 pm

  6. I’m a simple thinker, steve sturm. If lawyers and interest groups hadn’t pushed the Bush Administration to close Guantanamo, chances are these two would still be playing video games in Guantanamo instead of planning terrorist attacks in Yemen.

    Comment by DRJ (84a0c3) — 12/28/2009 @ 3:15 pm

  7. [...] explosive’ Another Black Conservative: The Shoe Bomber 2.0 Patterico’s Pontifications: Two More Reasons Not to Close Guantanamo and UK Times: Abdulmutallab is a 9/11 Defender (Updated) and Identifying Airline Security Threats [...]

    Pingback by Napolitano Turns 180 Degrees, Admits DHS System “Failed Miserably” in Preventing Jihad Attack on Flight 253 (video) « Frugal Café Blog Zone (a66042) — 12/28/2009 @ 3:16 pm

  8. #4, so sensible.

    Comment by Dana (f64b7d) — 12/28/2009 @ 3:17 pm

  9. [...] of Vigilance Another Black Conservative: The Shoe Bomber 2.0 Patterico’s Pontifications: Two More Reasons Not to Close Guantanamo and UK Times: Abdulmutallab is a 9/11 Defender (Updated) and Identifying Airline Security Threats [...]

    Pingback by Abdulmutallab Says More al Qaeda to Come, Obama Enjoying Beaches of Hawaii (video) « Frugal Café Blog Zone (a66042) — 12/28/2009 @ 3:17 pm

  10. [...] What Geneva conventions? You’re in America now, pal. Patterico’s Pontifications: Two More Reasons Not to Close Guantanamo and Guantanamo Closing Delayed and Obama Should Visit Guantanamo and Coming Soon: The 9/11 Five and [...]

    Pingback by Terrorist-Based Economy in Illinois? Jihadists Will Call Illinois ‘Home’ (video) « Frugal Café Blog Zone (a66042) — 12/28/2009 @ 3:18 pm

  11. Hey! since we’re into recycling terrorists, how’s that Lockerbie cancer guy doing? Maybe he’s still up for another mission! And, he’s prolly not on any lists.

    Comment by elissa (38f303) — 12/28/2009 @ 3:29 pm

  12. DRJ: I tell my kids they control their reactions to what other people do. Bush could have held firm against liberal pushing but chose not to. Odd, given how firm he stood on Iraq, that he knuckled under in so many other ways…. there were days I wondered if Bush really understood the full extent of the risk to our national security.

    Comment by steve sturm (7629b0) — 12/28/2009 @ 3:34 pm

  13. that was the Supreme Court what Bush knuckled under…

    Comment by happyfeet (71f55e) — 12/28/2009 @ 3:40 pm

  14. [...] For Gitmo Releases, Libs! End Up In Attempted Plane Bombings Patterico’s Pontifications: Two More Reasons Not to Close Guantanamo Hot Air: Bristol Palin: Abstinence is the answer and Limbaugh: Jeb Bush and the anti-nostalgists [...]

    Pingback by AlfonZo Rachel’s ZoNation: Bad Conclusions Drawn by Liberals about Our Troops, Obama, Closing Gitmo, Sarah Palin, Sex - Conservative Principles (Video) « Frugal Café Blog Zone (a66042) — 12/28/2009 @ 4:22 pm

  15. [...] Bob Hamer, Big Hollywood: The CIA and the Statute of Limitations Patterico’s Pontifications: Two More Reasons Not to Close Guantanamo Publius, Big Government: *Exclusive” Leaked Justice Department Memo: Terrorists To Be Moved [...]

    Pingback by Obama’s “Disney World,” Where Radical Terrorists’ Dreams Come True: Cheney Says Keeping America Safe Should Be Priority, Not Punishing Terrorist Interrogators « Frugal Café Blog Zone (a66042) — 12/28/2009 @ 4:24 pm

  16. Hey, DRJ -

    Off topic, but did you see that Mike Leach got suspended today? Hope that doesn’t affect Tech’s performance at the Alamo Bowl on Saturday – I have tickets to the game.

    Comment by Mike LaRoche (34b5b2) — 12/28/2009 @ 5:32 pm

  17. I did, Mike. It doesn’t sound good for Leach from what I’ve heard, plus he’s had several stranger-than-usual stories this year. I like Leach so it’s disappointing.

    Comment by DRJ (84a0c3) — 12/28/2009 @ 5:43 pm

  18. Everyone will be glad to know that the Obama administration continued to push for 97 Yemeni detainees to be sent to the Saudi “rehab” program.

    Comment by Karl (cc4af5) — 12/28/2009 @ 5:44 pm

  19. Karl,

    I am relieved. Can there be too many rehabilitated terrorists-turned-artists in the world?

    PS — I’ve updated the post to add this.

    Comment by DRJ (84a0c3) — 12/28/2009 @ 5:50 pm

  20. Bob Gates is a wanton douchebag I think. I don’t thank him for his service as the Secretary of Defense. I ridicule his service as the Secretary of Defense. Cause of he’s a wanton douchebag. Someone should spit in his terrorist-loving face I think.

    Our little country is not in good hands.

    Comment by happyfeet (e9e587) — 12/28/2009 @ 5:52 pm

  21. Barack Obama’s lax, cynical, dangerously PC policies on Islamic terrorism put at risk the lives of every American man, woman, and child.

    Comment by Kevin Stafford (abdb87) — 12/28/2009 @ 6:02 pm

  22. This was an interesting report on the Saudi Art Therapy programs. It’s difficult to see how on earth it would have any impact on terrorists – rather it’s much easier to see how they would be able to exert their manipulative powers over well-intentioned, yet naive do-gooders. It’s also interesting to see who it is who has doubts about the program.

    The Saudi government, which is running the rehabilitation program on a former royal family retreat outside Riyadh, claims that some 700 former al Qaeda terrorists have been reprogrammed.

    The coloring, said program founder Dr. Awad Alyami to his terrorists-turned-art-students, gets “negative energy out on paper.” “It’s safe here,” Alyami said. “It’s on the paper, it’s not outside.” The men also get religious re-education and are promised a new home and car if they behave.

    But ‘jihadi rehab’ is drawing great skepticism from U.S. critics, who caution that actions speak louder than words.

    Former FBI agent and ABC News consultant Brad Garrett said that while the men may claim to disavow radical Islam, “they basically schmooze or con their way out of the system, and then they get out.”

    Comment by Dana (f64b7d) — 12/28/2009 @ 6:15 pm

  23. Does anybody remember the python sketch on the Army and fine arts and macrame

    Comment by bishop (d3e60d) — 12/28/2009 @ 6:56 pm

  24. For a quick reminder,
    http://www.montypython.net/scripts/armyprot.php

    Comment by bishop (d3e60d) — 12/28/2009 @ 7:58 pm

  25. Anyone else remember with fondness when the lefty conventional wisdom was that the Gitmo detainees were all innocent shepherds or religious students sold to the U.S. for bounties and that there was no actual evidence they were connected to Al Qaeda or terrorism? Those were the days!

    Comment by daleyrocks (718861) — 12/28/2009 @ 10:35 pm

  26. Damn! I hate it when someone beats me to the Python quote. ;-)

    Seriously, though . . . Art therapy? or Waterboarding. Which one of those choices seems more appropo for an individual whose GOAL is to kill as many innocent people as possible, with no concern whatsoever for his personal welfare?

    Comment by Icy Texan (a1e10b) — 12/29/2009 @ 2:36 am

  27. Okay, here is how you put one of these individuals through Art Therapy:
    Wrap him in a sheet (nothing new for him),
    Make him swallow a live grenade,
    Unwrap the sheet and mount it on a frame;
    Presto! He’s the new Jackson Pollock.

    Comment by Icy Texan (a1e10b) — 12/29/2009 @ 2:43 am

  28. “I’m a simple thinker, steve sturm. If lawyers and interest groups hadn’t pushed the Bush Administration to close Guantanamo, chances are these two would still be playing video games in Guantanamo instead of planning terrorist attacks in Yemen.”

    Obviously you are. The Bush administration decided, after investigating, to realeas these people. And the fact is that if they hadn’t been so busy breaking Amercian legel principles in effect for 2 centuries and international laws to which we’ve agreed for decades and sometimes centuries, we probably would have fewer attacks.

    Comment by JEA (285973) — 12/29/2009 @ 7:39 am

  29. #22 From Dana’s link:

    Former FBI agent and ABC News consultant Brad Garrett said that while the men may claim to disavow radical Islam, “they basically schmooze or con their way out of the system, and then they get out.”

    I know it had to be said, but dang that is a stupid thing to have to say.

    #27 Icy Texan: I’m saving up for new artwork beginning now! A splodeydope frieze!

    Comment by EW1(SG) (edc268) — 12/29/2009 @ 7:47 am

  30. JEA should be thanked for delivering the Leftist canards and memes on cue.

    Comment by JD (bdb93b) — 12/29/2009 @ 7:55 am

  31. #30 JD:

    JEA should be thanked for delivering the Leftist canards and memes on cue.

    Oh, is that what it was? Just sounded like nonsense to me.

    Comment by EW1(SG) (edc268) — 12/29/2009 @ 8:03 am

  32. I’m actually interested in hearing what kinds of international laws we have agreed to for “centuries” and then violated. Especially in comparison to the actions of other nations. Do tell.

    Partisanship and hyperbole don’t mix well with the lack of history being taught in the schools these days.

    Come to think of it, which campaign promises has this President followed up on? That’s less than two years rather than two hundred. But if we are keeping track?

    Comment by Eric Blair (a5b324) — 12/29/2009 @ 8:52 am

  33. and you would think that saudi-style justice would be just what the doctor ordered–a few decapitations with a rusty blade. but no, suddenly when it is killing americans in the name of jihad, they turn into a bunch of peace and love idiots who send bad guys to art class.

    Comment by A.W. (e7d72e) — 12/29/2009 @ 9:23 am

  34. Just another Enemy of America.

    Comment by Matador (176445) — 12/29/2009 @ 10:27 am

  35. A question for the judge to ask at the detention hearing:

    “Why isn’t this man declared an enemy combatant and what is he doing in my court?”

    Comment by Dick S (861441) — 12/29/2009 @ 11:30 am

  36. The government of Saudi Arabia is teetering on a knife edge. The Wahabis, which are those fundamentalist bin Laden people, have more power and authority with the general population than the slave-holding, polygamous, sybaritic descendants of a British puppet from WWI. That’s why the monarchy not only tolerates but also funds terrorist activity.

    On the other hand, do you want gas in your car?

    Comment by nk (df76d4) — 12/29/2009 @ 11:38 am

  37. Comment by nk — 12/29/2009 @ 11:38 am

    As long as it’s from Alaska, Canada, or Mexico.
    Last time I checked, I think those three sources rank above The Desert Kingdom.

    Drill Now!
    Drill Here!

    Comment by AD - RtR/OS! (bc0d93) — 12/29/2009 @ 11:43 am

  38. Well, no, I don’t think so, AD. I think Saudi Arabia beats everyone for quantity (reserves), quality (sweet crude), and ease of extraction, for the time being.

    Comment by nk (df76d4) — 12/29/2009 @ 11:46 am

  39. Do you know the story of Esau?

    Comment by nk (df76d4) — 12/29/2009 @ 11:48 am

  40. Comment by nk — 12/29/2009 @ 11:46 am

    I wasn’t talking about reserves, but bbl’s of import.

    Comment by AD - RtR/OS! (bc0d93) — 12/29/2009 @ 12:01 pm

  41. Esau?

    ??????????????

    Comment by AD - RtR/OS! (bc0d93) — 12/29/2009 @ 12:02 pm

  42. [...] Guantanamo” Another Black Conservative: The Shoe Bomber 2.0 Patterico’s Pontifications: Two More Reasons Not to Close Guantanamo and UK Times: Abdulmutallab is a 9/11 Defender (Updated) and Identifying Airline Security Threats [...]

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  43. [...] down Guantanamo” Another Black Conservative: The Shoe Bomber 2.0 Patterico’s Pontifications: Two More Reasons Not to Close Guantanamo and UK Times: Abdulmutallab is a 9/11 Defender (Updated) and Identifying Airline Security Threats [...]

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  44. [...] in Place of Vigilance Patterico’s Pontifications: Working Hard to Protect Americans and Two More Reasons Not to Close Guantanamo and UK Times: Abdulmutallab is a 9/11 Defender (Updated) and Identifying Airline Security Threats [...]

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  50. [...] and We Have a Problem, Houston … and Washington and Working Hard to Protect Americans and Two More Reasons Not to Close Guantanamo Gateway Pundit: British Intelligence Knew About Nigerian Undie Bomber 3 Years Ago and Another Blow [...]

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  51. [...] and We Have a Problem, Houston … and Washington and Working Hard to Protect Americans and Two More Reasons Not to Close Guantanamo Gateway Pundit: British Intelligence Knew About Nigerian Undie Bomber 3 Years Ago and Another Blow [...]

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  55. The Art Of War…

    …A post I read a while ago over at…

    Trackback by The Art Of War (55fe3e) — 12/18/2010 @ 4:27 pm

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