That nice Mr Obama...

[laligin]

So, America has had a new President for two days. And already he's keeping his promises...

He's closing Guantanamo Bay, for starters...

Extracts from the article linked above: The US wants to try about 80 of the prisoners on terrorism charges. It has cleared 50 other detainees for release but cannot return them to their home countries because of the risk they could be tortured or persecuted there.

Last month, Portugal's foreign minister urged other Europeans to take in Guantanamo prisoners, saying such a move could make it easier for Mr Obama to close the prison. Switzerland and Ireland have said they are open to taking in prisoners.



Am I naive to be happy about this?

The next few years are going to be interesting...

Comments

[ryo-girl.livejournal.com]

Am I naive to be happy about this?

Honestly I think so, a little bit. I think there are too many people who want it to stay open.

[laligin.livejournal.com]

Well, he's set a deadline of a year's time. And it's something that will get him a lot of Brownie points from various different governments, so...

Yeah. Ask me in 2010 and we'll see. But I'll keep hoping.

[ryo-girl.livejournal.com]

*crosses fingers and hopes with you*

[dr-is-in.livejournal.com]

He's going to shake a lot of things and people up. He's out to make major changes. But they are changes that need to be made.

They've created an initiative to get younger people involved through volunteering and national service.

[laligin.livejournal.com]

If he does half of what he promised to, it's still good...

Sounds interesting. For once I'm actually interested in politics, because it looks like some good stuff is happening at last. (:

[cowgrrl.livejournal.com]

I'm very excited about President Obama! But he's got such a hard road ahead of him...

[laligin.livejournal.com]

Tell me about it. (: I'm sure he'll manage pretty well, though.

[odangoinblack.livejournal.com]

I know! I was so happy when I read this! Of course there are a lot of people who are accusing him of coddling terrorists. (really?) But these are mostly uneducated Bush-following sheep.

Because I sure know that maximum-security prisons are no cakewalk. If any actual terrorists were sent there they'd probably be killed by the other inmates before the day was out.

Even though he's only been in office for two days, I'm impressed. He's jumping in with both feet and getting started on these pressing issues right away. I'm not expecting him to be perfect, because he is human. I'm sure he'll make mistakes, but I am positive that things will start to get better from here. Even if he can't do everything he promised in the next four years (because there are so many things that need to be done), like you said, even if he manages to do half, I'm going to be very happy.

=)

I'm reading the news every day now because from here on out I want to know what's going on.

[snapshots-fics.livejournal.com]

Gah, I realize that second paragraph sounded very cold-hearted. =( Obviously I don't want anyone to be killed, I was just trying to convey that sending someone to a maximum security prison with hardened murderers and rapists is far from the coddling that people on the extreme right are suggesting.

[laligin.livejournal.com]

Ohno, I got what you meant, is okay. (: Much agreed. And I, too, will be trying to keep up with the news. Here's hoping it goes well!