A Hot Button Issue for Republicans — The Search Continues

The Party of Rush Limbaugh is clearly not interested in helping to solve America’s problems. It’s so much more fun to just sit around dreaming up wedge issues and soundbites and taking potshots at Obama.

The Gimmick du jour: Guantanamo Bay — Bloodthirsty terrorists are being released into YOUR community!

While Obama struggles to work out the details of how to close Gitmo and what to do with the prisoners, Republicans are giggling from the sidelines. They think they’ve finally found the perfect soundbite.

Rep. Todd Tiahrt (R-Kan.), said: “My first plan is to have an up-or-down vote in the Appropriations Committee. They are known, dangerous criminals who have vowed to destroy our way of life.”

[sigh] How many times do Republicans need to have the same simple fact explained and re-explained and reiterated and re-reiterated to them??? Once again now: the Gitmo prisoners have been ACCUSED — SUSPECTED! — of being “dangerous criminals who have vowed to destroy our way of life.”

They haven’t been tried yet!

Is it all coming back now? You know — court of law, a jury of one’s peers, conviction or acquittal? DUUUHHH!!!

The Republican Gimmick is actually focused on just one particular aspect of closing Gitmo: They’re determined that not one cent of YOUR tax money will be used for closing the prison or relocating the prisoners.

[sigh] Uhh, [try to be patient now] anything that’s related to war, the military, military prisons — is paid for by the taxpayers. Arresting the prisoners, housing them, torturing them, paying the salaries of the prison guards and interrogators — it all comes out of YOUR tax dollars. Do Republicans really think this gimmick is going to work any better than all their previous ones?

And yes, it’s true that America does have some prisons that are privately owned and operated. How’s that working out for us?

cross-posted at Bring It On!