Many of Obama's campaign promises to reverse the worst of the Bush Crime Family foreign policy measures have been abandoned. Remember when he advocated for the closing of GITMO, undoing the Patriot Act provisions that allowed spying on Americans, and ending indefinite detention of alleged enemy combatants?
Not only has the president ignored his promised platform planks, he's actually reinforced and strengthened some of the most egregious portions of Bush-era abuses of power.
Victor Thorn, writing for the American Free Press, released an exhaustive and thorough article about Obama's 180 degree spin:
"Is it possible that Barack Obama's White House is joining forces with Republican neocons in order to overturn a decision that deemed the use of indefinite military detention an unconstitutional offense? The answer, regrettably, is yes."Teaming up with war hawk senators such as John McCain (R-Ariz.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), and Kelly Ayotte (R-N.H.), on February 7, officials from Obama's Department of Justice (DoJ) appeared in New York's Second Circuit Court of Appeals in an attempt to nullify a 2012 decision by federal judge Katherine Forrest where she ruled that indefinite detention under the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) violated the United States Constitution.
"Ironically, notable leftists who originally applauded our so-called antiwar president filed this lawsuit. Among those suing the government were academics, peace protesters, authors and reporters like Noam Chomsky, Daniel Ellsberg of Pentagon Papers fame, and The New York Times' Christopher Hedges.
"In essence, these individuals objected to the fact that under Obama's NDAA, the U.S. military could arrest and jail them -- without specific charges, trial, or an end to their detainment -- simply because they spoke to or associated with someone that the government considered a terrorist."
Remember, it wasn't that long ago that White House spokesman Jay Carney told reporters that drone strikes against American citizens were justified, going on to call the murders that result from Obama's kill list as "legal, ethical and wise." Ari Fleischer would be proud -- maybe he is.
There is near-perfect continuity from Bush administration policies to the Obama administration. Is it possible the only difference is the "D" after his name? Thorn's article continues, and you should read it. Every freedom-loving American should, if they care about constitutional civil liberties.
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