Redefinining the War on Terror

It would seem within his first week in office President Obama is looking to redefine the Global War on Terror.

He has announced his intention to close Gitmo, but he has really not answered the question, what are you going to do with all the detainees? Some have suggested they be moved to Fort Leavenworth, while others have stated other options, even John Murtha suggesting they go to a prison in Pennsylvania. Is that not ludicrous?

President Obama has stated as well that the techniques used in the Army Field Manual are the only ones to be used in interrogations. Although he is setting up a committee which will determine in six months if other techniques can be used as well.

I am hoping the announcement of the closure is but a symbolic gesture to appease the far-left, and he will in fact either keep the prison opened or send the prisoners to a location that is not in the US. Americans have to be kept safe, and allowing them to be on American soil is unacceptable. Also in this note, I am hoping his Executive Orders on interrogation have enough wiggle room so as methods used in enhanced interrogations can in fact be used.

I want to believe President Obama is a practical person and will do what is necessary to protect us from terrorist attacks, and that these are but symbolic gestures to appease his base. This is a serious job he has ahead of him, let us all hope this is true. We cannot afford however to fall into a pre-9/11 mentality and the danger it poses.

President Barack Obama

Even though I did not vote for Barack Obama, I do wish him well. I hope as president he keeps us safe and is able to revitalize our economy, for if he fails, America fails and we cannot afford that at this time in our history. I will most likely not agree with everything he does, yet I am willing to not make any judgments too soon. I have seen too many cases of "Bush Derangement Syndrome," and been turned off by it to act in the same manner. He is our president now, and I will treat him with the respect he deserves.

Congratulations.

What Kind of Vice-President Will Joe Biden Be?

Joe Biden, since the debates has said how Dick Cheney's the most dangerous VP we've ever had. Although a question remain, what kind will he be?

He spent years on the Foreign Relations Committee, so it would be presumed, that he has some expertise in international relations and national security. Even though he has this on his resume though, what will his role be? With a probably Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, will her presence in the Cabinet overshadow his own? There are many questions that remain to be answered without a doubt. Personally, I believe he will try to exert influence in the decision-making process. How influential he will in fact be remains to be seen though. There are many qualified people in National Security team, so he could easily be pushed aside.

Leon Panetta for DCI? Really?

I find the recent news that Leon Panetta is to be appointed Director of the CIA highly disturbing. Considering his experience, or lack thereof in matters of intelligence it makes one wonder how our ability to fight terrorism will be affected. I partly think this due to Panetta's insistence on holding the CIA to the standards of the military as well as President-elect Obama announcing he wanted to change how the United States went about fighting terrorism. Both these things worry me.

This was a real shock to me. I have been pleasantly surprised with all of his other picks for his national security team, Hillary Clinton, Jim, Jones, and Robert Gates. This choice is truly unacceptable if we are continue to fight terrorism in an offensive manner and remain secure.