Well, that makes a difference. Let's not be too hasty .....

One smart terrorist placed in custody amongst hardened criminals in an American maximum-security prison should have no difficulty in converting a good portion of the prison population into Islamic Terrorists.

Prisoners are always looking for a break in their dull and routine existence and what a ripe ground that is for religious conversions. It will be the Next New Thing to be an Islamic Terrorist. Monthly meetings where ideas can be exchanged (how to plug prison toilets with potatoes) and training prisoners to conceal religious tracts in their underwear will create an atmosphere of empowerment amongst the population.

Prisoners can be easily trained in Middle-Eastern customs, such as weaving prayer rugs, making dolma, and smoking the hookah.

if there are no charges and convictions? Are people in US prisons who have not been tried and convicted?

I don't think so.

Obama is exhibiting something that has been missing in our government for far too many years. He is showing confidence,intelligence, and true leadership.

While we may not agree with everything Obama says, or does, we have to respect reality and recognize the vast problems he has inherited and we have to respect his sincerity as he begins his presidency.

To criticize Obama's performance, without offering viable alternatives, is useless pandering to fear and ignorance.

You are living in Cheney's world. Nothing you have posted is based in fact.

Of all of the individuals positioned to gain if there is another terrorist attack on US soil, Cheney is at the top of the list.

I'm not accusing, just thinking.....

The "motherload of vitriole" starts with Rush and some of us like to repond in kind.

Of course nothing will ever be accomplished but it is fun nonetheless.

I consider Rush to be a showman, a comic figure, a reasonably good actor who may be laughing all the way to the bank. The sad thing is that his audience, for the most part, take him seriously.

If he is serious and his audience accepts his sincerity, brain disease must be contagious.

Cheney is doing more than listening to Obama, he is scared to death of him.

What else would bring the deferment champ out of his hole? After two major defeats in Congress and a lost White House, the Repukes have nothing left but a legacy of failures and Cheney can't sleep at night.

So he's out there, talking to the 10 or 11% that trust him, trying to improve his image.

It won't work. He is a defeated has-been and most likey a war criminal. He has shamed the USA and he has given the terrorists everything they wished for.

I don't think anyone could be more clear and to the point than Obama. His speech laid out exactly what he is doing and why he is doing it.

This is the first time in many years that we have heard such an intelligent presentation by a president. Every point, every argument made absolute sense to me.

On the other hand we have Cheney, with his smarmy attitude and smooth bullshit. He stated that the Bush Administration anti-terror campaign "prevented terrorist attacks on our soil and saved American lives" without an ounce of proof or fact to back that statement up. The guy is a pathological liar.

Listen, very carefully, to Obama's speech.

The human race will not be free until it throws off the chains of religion.

you would think that the Republicans would STFU and try to rebuild their Party with new ideas while getting rid of the deadwood losers like Cheney.

Allowing the likes of Limbaugh, Hannity, and Cheney to become the new face of the Republican Party is sheer stupidity, but this is what we have seen coming from the GOP during the past eight years.

The mistakes of the Bush Administration would probably exceed the data-carrying capacity of most internet servers so I won't list them here, but they are certainly no secret. Ask the voters.

Dick Cheney is one of the most despised people in America. A draft-dodger that lied to get us into an ill-managed, unecessary war in Iraq, Cheney should be held in contempt of the oath he took to serve America.

The detainees at Guantanamo are held because they are, for the most part, suspects and their cases must be revied and acted upon accordingly. Most will be released but the legal process must proceed.

Obamas has inherited an incredible mess from the Bush Administration and along with the sniping from failed Bush-era has-beens, he has to reform American policy in accordance with the Constitution and the voters' wishes.

The Bush Administration has set the stage you aptly described in your post. Even after losing the Election, the spectre of failed Bush policy hangs over us.

I totally believe that Cheney would welcome another terror attack on US soil. He would tout vindication and rally the righ-wing lunatic fringe into a frenzy.

"to make sure “our efforts are consistent with our values and our Constitution” is chilling, not reassuring."

Without copying the entire Constitution here, Obama is very clear. I don't share your doubts about his process. He has emphasized the rule of law and consistent American values as enshrined in our courts, and the Constitution. He places responsibility upon the Congress and the Judiciary to ensure that America "stays true to its ideals".

What's the problem with that?

George W. Bush looked into the cameras and said, "We don't torture" ?

Apparently Cheney was not listening to his boss.

not convicted of a crime enough money to feed his family, buy a house and a car, a HDTV, a dog or cat, a swimming pool, unlimited cable access, all-gas kitchen appliances, Persian rugs, a gold-plated hookah, lifetime Costco dolma, free gas and lawn-care service.

It's be cheaper than what we're doing now and we badly need new consumers, and we'd win more converts away from the temptation of terrorism than by using a waterboard.