Rev. Danny Fisher

This from the Washington Post:

President Obama today signed a series of executive orders to close the U.S. detention facility at Guantánamo Bay, Cuba, within a year and end harsh interrogation techniques previously used on terrorist suspects, saying America will wage war on terrorism “in a manner consistent with our values and ideals.”

In a ceremony at the White House after a meeting with retired military flag officers, Obama said the Guantanamo facility would be closed “no later than one year from now” and that prisoners held there would be dealt with appropriately in keeping with the interests of justice and U.S. national security.

Thank you, sir.

Over at elephant journal, I name my ten best films of 2008. Take a look!

This from the Office of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama: Speaking recently to students at Madras University in Chennai, His Holiness said:

Yes…I am sure [Tibet] will achieve autonomy… it’s only a matter of time before that will happen…While the spirit and determination of the present generation of Tibetans is stronger than the previous ones, there is more global awareness about our struggle…Our March 2008 protests had 300 supportive articles from Chinese intelligentsia, such as students, teachers and other intellectuals… the Chinese government must look at our struggle logically and realistically…[If Tibet achieves autonomy, I will] surrender the privileges [attached with his spiritual leadership]…The [Tibetan government] knows better than me… I cannot be a ruler.

Via Comedy Central’s Indecision: The Associated Press is reporting that the Chinese government removed references to “dissent” and “communism” from their translated broadcast of President Barack Obama’s inaugural speech yesterday, “and quickly halted state television’s live broadcast of the address when Cold War-era animosities were mentioned.”