It was said during the presidential campaign that closing the Guantanamo detention center was one of the things the new president could do to immediately change the view of the U.S. role in the world for the better. After his election victory, President Obama immediately signed an executive order to do just that (I think it was on his second day in office) and all that remained was to work out the details. While the desire to close a prison that was seen by many to be a stain on the U.S. reputation abroad was no doubt laudable, it’s those details that are now close to derailing the plan. President Obama is running into the “not in my backyard” syndrome as lawmakers from both sides of the aisle announce that they do not want Gitmo prisoners housed in their states. In this MSNBC video, President Obama reassures lawmakers and the public that prisoners will not be a danger to the public, wherever they happen to be sent.
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While President Obama appears to be resolute in his desire to close the detention center, the placement of relocated prisoners is still very much in doubt. As I scanned the headlines today I noted that the state of California is suffering an extreme budget crisis. Perhaps the federal government can purchase San Quentin prison (newly on the market) and thereby help out California while also providing a safe and secure home for the Gitmo prisoners. Call it a Gitmo bailout.
