Policing the World

From the AP yesterday:

"The U.S. should shut down the prison for terror suspects at Guantanamo Bay and either release the detainees or put them on trial, the U.N. said. The world body also called on the U.S. to refrain from practices that 'amount to torture.'

Followed by, predictably, "The White House rejected the recommendation to shut down the prison."

With not so much as a moment's thought except for "Hey, we're the U.S.! We ain't got to listen to NOBODY!"

Scott McClellan had this textbook response: "These are dangerous terrorists that we're talking about..."

So what, we hold them in a cell indefinitely, with NO authority to do so? Feeding them, housing them, and yes, TORTURING them without even letting them speak to a lawyer? How is that humane treatment?

I wholeheartedly support the U.N.'s position: "The persons held at Guantanamo Bay are entitled to challenge the legality of their detention... that right is currently being violated." (my emphasis)

Yes, the United States of America is openly violating people's rights. What the fuck happened to "innocent until proven guilty?" Give these guys the basic right to a lawyer and a trial, and let them PROVE to us they haven't committed a crime. If they can't do that, we prosecute their asses and throw them in prison, not some mismanaged detainee camp in Cuba.

Or you can just go on, illegally tapping the phone lines of admittedly innocent Americans, pretending you're doing something important to stop terrorism. Because, as we all know, laws don't apply to the government.

Hundreds rotting away at Gitmo, being routinely beaten, tortured, deprived and ridiculed by the U.S. with no indication they'll ever be tried or set free.

And what do we say when other countries engage in such appalling practices? Well, naturally, they're barbarians! Their justice system is archaic; they could learn a thing or two from the U.S., the world's brilliant, shining example of democracy and fairness and decency!

Our government's job is to be the voice for millions of Americans. So when people around the world despise us for our acts of barbarism and bullying and miscarriage of justice to others, they hate all of us, not just those committing the crimes. The government is largely responsible for the regrettable reputation Americans have around the world. And I, for one, am deeply worried about American citizens taking the fall for our government's shameful, sickening lapses in judgment.

Yes, these Gitmo captives may have committed terrorist acts or are "linked" to terrorists or have information we need. So why the hell aren't we fucking getting it? How much longer till we get it? How many more vacations at Crawford until the president is well-rested enough to go after Osama?

The worst part is the outright hypocrisy. The U.S. blatantly defies the U.N. and at the same time, our administration continues to obstinately condemn any other government that does the same. We are pretenders to some grand throne of righteousness over the world kingdom and one of these days, we're going to be knocked so viciously from that throne, we won't know what the fuck hit us.

And what's truly sad is, we may very well deserve it.

Posted by ayelet at February 17, 2006 10:26 AM