Detainees

"I wasn't a terrorist when I got here, but after 8 years of waterboarding I'm seriously thinking about
doing some shit to you if I ever get out." - A Guantanamo detainee fantasizes about revenge.

Greetings my friends!

When you consider that Americans build some of the best jails in the world to imprison more than 1% of their entire population... you might wonder why they are afraid to add a handful of foreigners to their prison ranks. Why are they afraid? Well let me tell you, my friends, about a group of people that are really afraid of their own creations.

Anyone who has watched American TV (and every American has), knows that when a suspect in a crime is arrested, they have certain rights. They have the right to remain silent, they have the right to representation, they are allowed to make a phone call, etc. Americans also know that if these rights are violated... even if the arrested person is guilty of the crime for which they are accused, that person will go free.

We know that not everyone held in Guantanamo is a terrorist as many of them have been let go. For some reason, after years of torture and abuse, they don't ALL join Al Qaida immediately after being set free. My friends, I cannot say for certain that I would be able to forgive a captor who tortured me.

Back to the fear...

Some of the detainees in Guantanamo Bay ARE genuine religious assholes bent on the destruction of innocent lives. Personally, a part of me would like to see these assholes tortured to death, but in my heart I know they cannot be tortured. This is not a lofty value, however, it is a MONUMENTAL value entrenched in the annals of western civilization. Westerners have long since censured the power of their kings and queens to allow the people's law... the common law, to apply to all, rich or poor, noble or common, terrorist or airline passenger.

Americans know that their government broke many, many laws when they denied their captured SUSPECTED criminals basic human rights. If these detainees are to be treated like any other criminal in America, Americans know all too well that their often silly court system will not be so silly when the detainees tell of how they were tortured and stripped of their most basic human rights. Americans know that they have created a monster and it is this monster that they fear.

To my American friends, I say this. Upholding most ideals can be expensive, difficult and sometimes dangerous. Upholding ideals is also the best way for anyone to lead their lives. Accept the danger, return to your ideals and try these men accused of terror in your courts. It is the right thing to do and it is the law!

Your lawful friend and commentator for life,
Sir Robyn

References:

• Americans fear detainees - http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/29/opinion/29bergen.html?ref=opinion
• Americans from Montana "ain't afraid of nuthin'" - http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/31003984/