Why is the head of the ACLU disgusted with the Obama administration?

Question

http://www.politico.com/blogs/joshgerstein/0610/ACLU_chief_disgusted_with_Obama.html?showall

The top official at the American Civil Liberties Union seems to be losing patience with President Barack Obama and his administration.

Speaking at a conference of liberal activists Wednesday morning, ACLU Executive Director Anthony Romero didn't mince his words about the administration's handling of civil liberties issues.

"I'm going to start provocatively ... I'm disgusted with this president," Romero told the America's Future Now breakout session, according to blogger Marcy Wheeler of Firedoglake.com.

In an interview with POLITICO, Romero confirmed the gist of the quote, though he emphasized it wasn't intended as an ad hominem attack.

"I'm not disgusted at President Obama personally. It's President Obama's policies on civil liberties and national security issues I'm disgusted by. It's not a personal attack," Romero said.

While liberals of various stripes have or had gripes with how Obama has conducted himself since taking office, civil libertarians may well be the most disillusioned at this point.

"There was a discussion this morning, and there has been generally in progressive circles, about expectations that have not been met. I made the point that expectations were high because the president set expectations very high," Romero said.

Asked why he's so animated now, Romero said: "It’s 18 months and, if not now, when? ... Guantanamo is still not closed. Military commissions are still a mess. The administration still uses state secrets to shield themselves from litigation. There's no prosecution for criminal acts of the Bush administration. Surveillance powers put in place under the Patriot Act have been renewed. If there has been change in the civil liberties context, I frankly don't see it."

Many analysts now regard it as unlikely that Guantanamo, which was supposed to close this past January under Obama's presidential order on the subject, will close this year. Romero agreed that if Sept. 11 trials proceed before military commissions at Guantanamo it's hard to see how the prison will close in the year or two after that.

"The unwillingness of the administration to stick by its guns and prosecute the Sept. 11 defendants in criminal court does not bode well for the broader civil liberties agenda," he said. "The fact they've not announced anything raises the specter of doubt that, in itself, is debilitating to the Justice Department and raises serious questions about the administration's commitment to the rule of law. Their silence speaks volumes."

A White House spokesman declined to comment on Romero's broadsides.

Pantera of the Ripples · Accepted Answer

It says it on your post,
"It's President Obama's policies on civil liberties and national security issues I'm disgusted by"

"
Asked why he's so animated now, Romero said: "It’s 18 months and, if not now, when? ... Guantanamo is still not closed. Military commissions are still a mess. The administration still uses state secrets to shield themselves from litigation. There's no prosecution for criminal acts of the Bush administration. Surveillance powers put in place under the Patriot Act have been renewed. If there has been change in the civil liberties context, I frankly don't see it.""

are you trying to witty, funny, sarcastic or something?

EDIT: To make it clearer, reasons are:
- Guantanamo not closed
- military commissions are mess
- use of state secrets
- no persecution against Bush administration
- Patriot Act

Anonymous · Answer

Romero is right.  He is not bashing the President.  He has issues with with the hypocrisy of elected officials and what is referred to as political process.  Unfortunately Obama is being held over a barrel by the Republican leadership.  Yet, Obama should some how get the job done, even without the Party of No.  Many agree with Romero, I do.  Get the prison at Gitmo closed.  Prosecute suspected terrorist.  Close parts of the Patriot Act that violate Americans freedom.

tribeca_belle · Answer

Romero makes some very good points.  The Obama administration has not adequately addressed the left-over civil liberties issues from the Bush administration. While these are not easy issues to deal with, some further progress should have been made by now.

Anonymous · Answer

Hahahaha!  The Party Of NO tries to wreck anything which Obama attempts to do - like deal with Guantanamo.  And then when they wreck the closing, they can criticize  Obama for NOT closing the place.

It's seamless Con Bullsh*t.  Let's see if it puts another stupid little republican in the White House next time!   Maybe Bimbo Palin - the perfect republican!

? · Answer

i like D and G-not with the aid of fact they're scandals; yet with the aid of fact they don't look to be scandals, yet cons are peeing themselves in excitement approximately them. For D-the IRS "concentrated" some liberal communities too. there have been basically approximately 3 hundred communities investigated, and easily seventy 5 had "tea occasion" or conservative-leaning names. For G -Republicans in congress, inclusive of Saxby Chambliss, wrote a letter to Obama in 2012 asking him to place a end to the leaks of national risk-free practices guidance to the clicking. Then whilst the DOJ starts off to do exactly that, Republicans cry "scandal". LMFAO!

Anonymous · Answer

Obviously Romero's wife was denied her food stamps.

Anonymous · Answer

I guess he's finally realized it after all. Obama's just another Bush just turning leftward, with maybe an even bigger pie hole besides.

truth seeker · Answer

Why do you care?  Thought you guys hated the ACLU.

More hypocrisy?????

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Why is the head of the ACLU disgusted with the Obama administration?

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