CreateDebate


Debate Info

61
62
Yes, shut it down No, keep it running
Debate Score:123
Arguments:63
Total Votes:174
More Stats

Argument Ratio

side graph
 
 Yes, shut it down (29)
 
 No, keep it running (34)

Debate Creator

andsoccer16(1785) pic



Should Obama shut down Guantanamo Bay?

Do we need to keep prisoners there?

Obama says he will shut down Guantanamo Bay, our long standing military base in Cuba. Because it is outside the U.S. borders it is technically not under the constitution and as such the government has done things that would probably wouldn't be able to in this country.

Is Obama making the right decision?


Yes, shut it down

Side Score: 61
VS.

No, keep it running

Side Score: 62

Recently it has been found that 12 juveniles have been held in Guantanamo bay. This and other human rights violations are a disgrace to what this country is supposed to stand for. Obama is doing the right thing by shutting Gitmo down, it should have been done sooner. The hypocrisy of such a base cannot be overstated.

Supporting Evidence: U.S. Admits it Held Juveniles at Gitmo (www.msnbc.msn.com)
Side: Yes, shut it down

If we cannot change what is going on at Guantanamo Bay then YES, by all means, shut down this atrocious, unfathomable embarrassment to Americans and what they should stand for. What the military can get away with is horrific while the Commander-in-Chief simply stands by and condones their Neanderthal treatment by not making the adjustments necessary or shutting it down and having some heads roll for allowing their men to do what they did to the alleged criminals there.

Side: Yes, shut it down
2 points

Just because Guantanamo Bay isn't on the US mainland doesn't mean that it shouldn't follow the same rules that are followed on it. It is basically an extension of the US where torture and other acts against humanity can occur without law. It is a disgrace to America and to humanity and any continued use or defense of the center and the actions taken part in it expose hypocrisy, hate, and acceptance of fear as a tool the US can use against anyone it doesn't like for political or other motives. Shutting down Guantanamo Bay is a great move by Obama and gives hope for a better United States.

Side: Yes, shut it down
Troy8(2433) Disputed
1 point

Water boarding is not torture. It is simply an effective way of learning terrorist information without causing permanent damage.

Side: No, keep it running
2 points

fuck yes, ruins the US reputation and its against human rights and all that.

guantanamo bay is a disgrace

Side: Yes, shut it down
Troy8(2433) Disputed
1 point

How is it against human rights? Please provide evidence when making controversial claims.

Side: No, keep it running
1 point

Shut it down immediately. Worst thing we ever did.

Side: Yes, shut it down
1 point

i dont think you should discuss closing guantanamo because america has many facilities throughout the world that tortures and locks up people. america has had these facilities for decades and regularly kidnaps and tortures people in many locations. if guantanamo is closed down, america will still find ways and places to do similar things. if you want to shut something down, it might as well be the cia, but that will never happen, so thats why there is no point is discussing guantanamo.

Side: Yes, shut it down
0 points

He should shut it down, but he won't.

Side: Yes, shut it down
-3 points
2 points

Can you please repeat that in any other language I can translate into English?

Side: Yes, shut it down
5 points

History has recorded great presidents doing way worse things.

these are people captured on the battlefield. hell, many of the ones released have been either recaptured or shot in combat... why? because THEY'RE TERRORISTS!

they compare Bush to Hitler, but they don't compare him to FDR, who captured anyone who was a Jap and put them in prisons... fuck, they didn't even have any evidence to support that they were the enemy. just the fact that they were Japs.

This is War people, you have to start entering the reality of the situation.

Side: No, keep it running
3 points

Just because FDR did something wrong doesn't justify Bush's actions. The internment camps were one of the worst atrocities committed in American history (right behind the treatment of native Americans and slaves).

We're not saying that we should let the captured people go, we just need to show them basic human rights. No torture, and the right to some kind of trial. If we have evidence that they're terrorists, great! Prove it in some kind of a military court and then lock them up and throw away the key. Many of these people though are being held without any legal recourse. And guess what? Some of them are innocent!

Pyg let me ask you a question, if someone accused you of being a terrorist would you want a way to refute their claim? Would you like it to be necessary that they prove it? Or would you want to be locked up and tortured for something you didn't do?

http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2008/ 10/justice_department_wants_to_ke.php

Supporting Evidence: Innocent Men at Guitmo (abcnews.go.com)
Side: Yes, shut it down
ThePyg(6738) Disputed
4 points

obviously reform is needed to make sure that we capture only people on the battlefield.

but the thing is, the people let go were put under TRIAL. and they were RECAPTURED killing AMERICAN TROOPS. the thing is, saying "they were part of a cell that was shooting at my squad" is not good enough in the court of law, because as long as you did not have him with a gun in his hands, he doesn't count.

and it's good to see that you consider FDR worse than Bush... finally someone who understands.

Side: No, keep it running
garry77777(1796) Disputed
1 point

I found this by chance and really couldn't resist replying:

"these are people captured on the battlefield."

Please define whjat is measnt by battlefield exactly, my understanding is that battlefield = anywhere on earth

"many of the ones released have been either recaptured or shot in combat"

Sorry i don't beleive your corporate controlled bullshit media.

"because THEY'RE TERRORISTS!"

All i have to say to this revolting excercise in hypocrisy is the following:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x4PgpbQfxgo

"This is War people, you have to start entering the reality of the situation."

Really, oh well when you put it that way, actually just out of curiosity who are you fighting against, oh yeah, a tactic called terrorism which you use more than any other nation on earth.

Your true colours are on display for all to see, good day:0

Side: Yes, shut it down
ThePyg(6738) Disputed
1 point

Oh yeah, I forgot that you believe that the corporate media and corporate leaders have gotten together to create war and put innocents in jail.

I will admit that the powers of the Executive Branch have gone way too far, but I still believe that being at War means we have to treat the enemy like our enemy, and not like American civilians.

Do I agree with the War? No. But that's ONLY because I feel that we could have done this all with Special Forces and not with an invasion/occupation. I would still support detaining terrorists captured in battle/mission (and if they're Americans, give them a proper trial, not a military tribunal or some bullshit like that).

Side: No, keep it running
4 points

I don't think he should shut it down, because then they would be on U.S. ground or in a foreign nation. If they are on U.S. ground and escape then they would be on the loose here in America. If they are in a foreign nation and if that nation support's terrorism then they could let the person go to weak havoc on the world again.

Side: No, keep it running
2 points

That is my point also, keep them right where they are at, the only way off is shark infested water... Gitmo, There is no substitute !

Side: No, keep it running

While I completely understand what you're saying we cannot go on with Gitmo the way it is! It's a disgrace to human decency and if it were the other way around, with our people being tortured instead of theirs, I can only wonder what those of you who are against shutting this atrocity down would have to say.

Side: Yes, shut it down
3 points

Torture is terrible, and I don't think anyone likes it or supports it... but heres a question. Your two kids are going to die in 3 hours because of x person, and you know he is going to kill them, and he says he'll do it, but you can stop it if he talks?

This is an extremely complex situation. Almost all of the people in Guantanamo Bay were captured "on the military field," and the rest were apprehended trying to pursue acts of terror on American soil and were not citizens. As sad as it is, these people have no rights. Geneva created a way for them to have rights, a way that would ensure death for the least number of innocent people: the uniformed soldier. By donning the uniform, you are given certain legal rights, because you are agreeing to protect the lives of innocent people.

These people purposely forfeited the rights granted them in Geneva. There are no laws protecting them.

Do I support torture? not really.

Oh, and humiliation isn't torture. We need to make sure to define our terms.

Side: No, keep it running
Probama123(44) Disputed
1 point

Well If you know for a fact that two kids are going to die because of the x person, and he knows something that can stop this. Well we never do know that now do we? And also, there are several cases where muslim men, who were not citizens, yet did not have a criminal record, were put into Guantanamo Bay, and tortured mercilessly. They were waterboded, which is a simulation of drowning, tied up and attacked by dogs, and had their religion defamed and disrespected. I regard the religion part as torture, can you imagine if a devoted christian was trying to pray in jail, and your jailer comes in and pisses on the bible, and rips it in half taking it away? That is torture. Also how would you feel if every american soldier who killed an innocent in Iraq was captured and tortured for no reason?

Side: Yes, shut it down
2 points

No they are trying to kill us.By law they are not solders but terrorists and if it is shut down then they must be taken to America were we cant make them talk due to the fifth amendment.

Side: No, keep it running
2 points

Noooo...check your legal facts. What we would do is give them a trial under a military court. Since they are not citizens they would not be subject to the 5th amendment, and a military court uses different rules of evidence then typical U.S. courts.

How would you suggest we get them to talk? Torture?

Side: Yes, shut it down
2 points

Are you saying that if we leave them in Guantanamo Bay we would have to try them under Cuban Law? Have you never heard of Military Law Locke? We can't MAKE them talk if they don't want to...or were you suggesting something vile?

Side: Yes, shut it down
2 points

I don't want the terrorist in a prison in my state, NY sure doesn't want the trials in their state, we cant just let them go to fight and kill American soldiers again we need to keep it open and Obama knows it! another broken promise for the left.

Side: No, keep it running
1 point

Keep it running, what are there chances of escaping from there... NONE, there on a friggen island and that is where they should hold all there trials ! I f we let these sorry bastards go, they will just be planting more attacks and planting more IED's to kill our boys. PERIOD

Side: No, keep it running
1 point

63 prisoners returned to Iraq and once again killed American service men. So unless your a Muslim Jihad terrorist this is the only answer an American could give. How do they treat their POW's? Oh, that's right they behead, mutilate and kill them. The only way I could see shutting it down would be line them all up against the wall and let loose with a .50 cal. A MUCH MORE HUMANE WAY TO DIE.

Nothing anyone of you have said holds a candle to what they have done to Americans taken prisoner. As the 9 Army women found in the Baghdad dumps cut from ear to ear.

Side: No, keep it running
1 point

We need to keep it open or else what would we do with the terrorists?

Side: No, keep it running

if we shut it down then we have to bring the terrorists here and it would be very expensive. That also means the terrorists will have to be given a trial and that means they will be granted rights that only belong to American citizens.

Side: No, keep it running
1 point

What's happening at gitmo is not even close to what the terrorists are doing to our troops when they get captured.

Side: No, keep it running
garry77777(1796) Disputed
1 point

"What's happening at gitmo "

Why whats happening there?

Hey do remember that Gitmo isn't your land, ya you stole it from Cuba in an illegal invasion.

"is not even close to what the terrorists are doing to our troops"

How the fuck do you know, Iran treat americans captured exactly how you treat, in fact they have stated that they do it simply because you do it i.e.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dl_whRekuCk

BTW terrorism has athe defintion: "“the unlawful use of force and violence against persons or property to intimidate or coerce a government, the civilian population, or any segment thereof, in furtherance of political or social objectives” (28 C.F.R. Section 0.85).

-F.B.I.

By this defintion your country is the greatest terrorist nation on earth, and has been for quite some time, but im sure you don't think so.

Side: Yes, shut it down
1 point

It's funny, because over two years ago, Obama promised to shut Guantanamo Bay down. Yet another broken promise by our great president!

Side: No, keep it running