Ellington

The New York Times is reporting:

Saying that "our ideals give us the strength and moral high ground" to combat terrorism, President Obama signed executive orders Thursday effectively ending the Central Intelligence Agency's secret interrogation program, directing the closing of the Guantánamo Bay detention camp within a year and setting up a sweeping, high-level review of the best way to hold and question terrorist suspects in the future.

"We intend to win this fight," Mr. Obama said, "We are going to win it on our own terms."

As he signed three orders, 16 retired generals and admirals who have fought for months for a ban on coercive interrogations stood behind him and applauded. The group, organized to lobby the Obama transition team by the group Human Rights First, did not include any career C.I.A. officers or retirees, participants said.

One of Mr. Obama's orders requires the C.I.A. to use only the 19 interrogation methods outlined in the Army Field Manual, ending President Bush's policy of permitting the agency to use some secret methods that went beyond those allowed to the military.

Previous Comments

ID

143041

Comment

Way to go!

Author

LatashaWillis

Date

2009-01-22T12:47:35-06:00

ID

143044

Comment

The Bush Administration has a lot to answer for. From President Obama's speech on Tuesday, I will never forget this: We should be remembered by what we build; not by what we destroy. Priceless!!!!!

Author

justjess

Date

2009-01-22T15:12:32-06:00