# What Prevents Obama From Closing the Gitmo Prison? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [November 18, 2013, 12:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-prevents-obama-from-closing-the-gitmo-prison/674152 "2013-11-18T00:27:45Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2013, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-prevents-obama-from-closing-the-gitmo-prison/674152/41 "2013-11-19T14:46:52Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > I’m going to join **Ravenman** and ask: WTF? Is that a joke? I’m pretty sure that is a joke. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2013, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-prevents-obama-from-closing-the-gitmo-prison/674152/42 "2013-11-19T14:50:20Z")
Maybe you can explain it to us. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2013, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-prevents-obama-from-closing-the-gitmo-prison/674152/43 "2013-11-19T14:51:25Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > Maybe you can explain it to us. Yeah, I didn’t get it either. I know Obama is from Chicago and likes to play hoops, but I can’t add that up to anything that is funny. ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2013, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-prevents-obama-from-closing-the-gitmo-prison/674152/44 "2013-11-19T14:55:00Z")
[QUOTE=Grumman] No, just one reason: because Osama Bin Ladin was right about America. [/QUOTE] Do you believe he is right when he asserts that America should outlaw alcohol, exclude women from the workplace, and kill homosexuals? Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2013, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-prevents-obama-from-closing-the-gitmo-prison/674152/45 "2013-11-19T14:59:31Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > Maybe you can explain it to us. I know nothing about sports. but I presume that it has something to do with Chicago sports fans. Are they particularly violent? ---
**Author:** ![Ravenman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ravenman/32/2929_2.png) [@Ravenman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ravenman)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2013, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-prevents-obama-from-closing-the-gitmo-prison/674152/46 "2013-11-19T14:59:47Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > Yeah, I didn’t get it either. I know Obama is from Chicago and likes to play hoops, but I can’t add that up to anything that is funny. If he had thrown in a crack about being a community organizer named Barry whose middle name is Hussein, then it could have been the funniest joke posted on WorldNetDaily in weeks. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2013, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-prevents-obama-from-closing-the-gitmo-prison/674152/47 "2013-11-19T15:45:26Z")
> [@Ravenman](#): > > How is that? Let me guess: it involves parachutes, Special Ops, and a time machine you invented to go back in time to 2008 when the law I quoted didn’t exist? That’s your answer for everything. It wasn’t my idea to close Gitmo and prosecute them in US court. That would be… wait for it… Obama. So explain to me why they can’t be flown to Chicago prisons in time for the NCAA playoffs (sorry not the NBA). I chose that mental picture because it’s that’s where President hangs out and the sport he invests his [time](http://a.espncdn.com/media/motion/2012/0314/dm_120314_ncb_obama_bracket2012.jpg) and tax payer dollars on between his busy schedule of golf. You got a problem with what Obama says and does take it up with him. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2013, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-prevents-obama-from-closing-the-gitmo-prison/674152/48 "2013-11-19T15:47:30Z")
What on earth are you talking about? ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2013, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-prevents-obama-from-closing-the-gitmo-prison/674152/49 "2013-11-19T15:51:22Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > It wasn’t my idea to close Gitmo and prosecute them in US court. > > That would be… wait for it… Obama. And a whole of other people who believe in our system of justice. > [@](#): > > So explain to me why they can’t be flown to Chicago prisons in time for the NCAA playoffs (sorry not the NBA). All the way back in Post #2. Take it up with your representative to get the law forbidding it repealed. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2013, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-prevents-obama-from-closing-the-gitmo-prison/674152/50 "2013-11-19T15:52:36Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > I’m going to join **Ravenman** and ask: WTF? Is that a joke? depends how you feel about closing gitmo and trying the prisoners in US courts. I thought it was a joke when it was proposed. ---
**Author:** ![Ravenman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ravenman/32/2929_2.png) [@Ravenman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ravenman)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2013, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-prevents-obama-from-closing-the-gitmo-prison/674152/51 "2013-11-19T15:58:15Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > So explain to me why they can’t be flown to Chicago prisons in time for the NCAA playoffs (sorry not the NBA). I chose that mental picture because it’s that’s where President hangs out and the sport he invests his [time](http://a.espncdn.com/media/motion/2012/0314/dm_120314_ncb_obama_bracket2012.jpg) and tax payer dollars on between his busy schedule of golf. See posts 2 and 18. I’ll just note that the law does not include any exemptions to release Khalid Sheik Mohammed to attend sporting events in the United States, whether it is the NCAA tournament (which isn’t in Chicago – seriously, do you do any fact-checking in your posts?), a Bears game, or any Stanley Cup related events. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2013, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-prevents-obama-from-closing-the-gitmo-prison/674152/52 "2013-11-19T15:59:27Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > And a whole of other people who believe in our system of justice. > > All the way back in Post #2. Take it up with your representative to get the law forbidding it repealed. There’s no law stopping the President from moving the prisoners. They could be in Yemen next week where nobody will ever hear from them again. ---
**Author:** ![Ravenman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ravenman/32/2929_2.png) [@Ravenman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ravenman)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2013, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-prevents-obama-from-closing-the-gitmo-prison/674152/53 "2013-11-19T16:01:05Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > There’s no law stopping the President from moving the prisoners. They could be in Yemen next week where nobody will ever hear from them again. Look at post 18. And start fact-checking your posts, too. ETA: And when the hell did Chicago move to Yemen? Holy crap, I think someone would have said something! ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2013, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-prevents-obama-from-closing-the-gitmo-prison/674152/54 "2013-11-19T16:03:56Z")
Well, it _is_ close to [Cairo](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cairo,_Illinois). ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2013, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-prevents-obama-from-closing-the-gitmo-prison/674152/55 "2013-11-19T16:08:10Z")
> [@Ravenman](#): > > See posts 2 and 18. > > I’ll just note that the law does not include any exemptions to release Khalid Sheik Mohammed to attend sporting events in the United States, whether it is the NCAA tournament (which isn’t in Chicago – seriously, do you do any fact-checking in your posts?), a Bears game, or any Stanley Cup related events. No seriously I don’t expect them to attend the game, Chicago or otherwise. It’s his home town and it’s the game he spends his time talking about in front of cameras instead of less important things such as unemployment or healthcare. ---
**Author:** ![Ravenman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ravenman/32/2929_2.png) [@Ravenman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ravenman)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2013, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-prevents-obama-from-closing-the-gitmo-prison/674152/56 "2013-11-19T16:12:48Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > No seriously I don’t expect them to attend the game, Chicago or otherwise. It’s his home town and it’s the game he spends his time talking about in front of cameras instead of less important things such as unemployment or healthcare. Once again, the post addresses the least substantive aspect of the issue. Let me recap: **Ravenman** : The law says GTMO detainees can’t be moved into the United States, and here’s what the law says. **Magiver:** Those detainees could be in Chicago in time for a basketball game. **Ravenman:** No, go read the law in post 18. **Magiver:** I didn’t literally mean they’d attend the game! I win the argument!!! ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2013, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-prevents-obama-from-closing-the-gitmo-prison/674152/57 "2013-11-19T16:13:24Z")
Can you explain where the hell you were going with the Chicago thing in the first place? ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2013, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-prevents-obama-from-closing-the-gitmo-prison/674152/58 "2013-11-19T16:18:00Z")
> [@Ravenman](#): > > Look at post 18. > > And start fact-checking your posts, too. > > ETA: And when the hell did Chicago move to Yemen? Holy crap, I think someone would have said something! [Oama’s trying to send the Yemeni prisoners there.](http://articles.latimes.com/2013/nov/06/world/la-fg-yemen-gitmo-20131107) Nice guy that Obama. Worried about the homesick terrorists. But if he sends them to Chicago then they can be tried, released, and then made citizens through amnesty if he gets his way. Rahm Emanuel gets them as voters. It’s all good. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2013, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-prevents-obama-from-closing-the-gitmo-prison/674152/59 "2013-11-19T16:25:27Z")
> [@Ravenman](#): > > Once again, the post addresses the least substantive aspect of the issue. > > Let me recap: > > **Ravenman** : The law says GTMO detainees can’t be moved into the United States, and here’s what the law says. > **Magiver:** Those detainees could be in Chicago in time for a basketball game. > **Ravenman:** No, go read the law in post 18. > **Magiver:** I didn’t literally mean they’d attend the game! I win the argument!!! I wasn’t making an actual case to move them to Chicago. OBAMA wants to close Gitmo. Not me. I chose Chicago because that’s his home town. What better place to move terrorists then where he lives. I was serious about Yemen because Obama wants to build a facility there to house Gitmo prisoners (from Yemen). ---
**Author:** ![Ravenman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ravenman/32/2929_2.png) [@Ravenman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ravenman)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2013, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-prevents-obama-from-closing-the-gitmo-prison/674152/60 "2013-11-19T16:27:40Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > [Oama’s trying to send the Yemeni prisoners there.](http://articles.latimes.com/2013/nov/06/world/la-fg-yemen-gitmo-20131107) Nice guy that Obama. Worried about the homesick terrorists. But if he sends them to Chicago then they can be tried, released, and then made citizens through amnesty if he gets his way. Rahm Emanuel gets them as voters. It’s all good. The saga of Chicago being relocated Yemen just gets more and more interesting… now if **Magiver** can only break the story of all the violins in the Middle East. Everyone is all upset when there’s a news story about violins in the Middle East, but if there were more Leonard Bernstein concerts in the Middle East, those people might not go around killing each other all the time! The problem is there aren’t enough violins in the Middle East! And here we have the main difference between a **Magiver** post and Emily Litella. That is, that Emily will politely acknowledge substantial errors, and **Magiver** employs the Martingale system of posting: if one keeps doubling down after every loss, sooner or later it may pay off once. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-prevents-obama-from-closing-the-gitmo-prison/674152.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-prevents-obama-from-closing-the-gitmo-prison/674152.md?page=4)