Obama Reverses Key Bush Security Policies

On the second day of his presidency Obama signed executive orders closing the detention camp at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, with in a year. Also, ending the CIA's secret prisons; and requiring all interrogations to follow the non coercive methods of the Army Field Manual.( Jan. 23, 2009 Shane, Mazzetti, and Cooper of the New York Times).

Basically this is an action from our president showing that he is for the people. In an effort to restore constitutional values and morals to the United States of America, he is listening to the people. I believe that also by signing this executive order he is making a statement to redeem diplomacy and at the same time redirecting the country from the Bush Administration. A more humane way of doing things, I think will definitely send a different message, but the secret interrogation methods that they speak of in the article is not a bad idea. We can be humane and not let down our defenses. The Army Field Manual prohibits actions such as the following:

forcing the detainee to be naked, perform sexual acts, or pose in a sexual manner, placing hoods or sacks over the head of a detainee, using duct tape over the eyes, applying beatings, electric shock, burns, or other forms of physical pain, water boarding, using military working dogs, inducing hypothermia or heat injury, conducting mock executions, depriving the detainee of necessary food, water, or medical care.

What better way to be diplomatic than that? So, maybe the United State's relationship with the Middle East will invite help and brotherhood, maybe...?

"Do we live in a healthy representative democracy?"

In the past, no, but I think things are about to change. The sixteen individuals that were present during the signing of this executive orders were retired admirals and generals who previously spoke to all of the presidential candidates about this. Obama invited them to the ceremony as if he were saying thank you for your service and passion about your country. " The people are dictating the changes."

Obama Reverses Key Bush Security Policies
By Scott Shane, Mark Mazzetti, and Helene Cooper
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/23/us/politics/23obama.html?_r=1&ref=politics

Video can be found @ http://video.nytimes.com/video/playlist/politics/1194811622221/index.html?r=1311#1231545962740

Steve Jones
Govt 141

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