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"I stand for 8-10 hours a day. Why is standing limited to four hours?"
At the entrance to the Guantanamo detention camp, a wooden sign reads: "Honor Bound to Defend Freedom." Ironically, this is where freedom starts, this is where it ends!!
You go there to stay and the little cottage you stay in is called "The Pearl of the Antilles." And right under the sign it has their little motto which is "Honor-bound to defend freedom." As you go around the base, the soldiers all salute each other and one says "Honor-bound" and the other says "to defend freedom." And you have a terribly hard time not laughing. — Clive Stafford Smith (A lawyer fights to represent detainees at Guantanamo and Bagram)
Some 2,100 members of an all-service unit known as Joint Task Force Guantanamo (JFTGTMO) have been assigned to Camp Delta, swelling the total base population to nearly half its Cold War complement. JFTGTMO'S motto is "Honor Bound to Defend Freedom," and in theory enlisted personnel say "Honor Bound" when they salute officers, and the officers reply "To Defend Freedom," though during a press visit in November only the enlisted seemed to remember their part. (Privately, some soldiers say their real duty mantra is "Groundhog Day," because the routine at Camp Delta is so unchanging "you can't tell one day from the next.")
To Defend Freedom, in a 2004-revealed notation on a 2002 memo about interrogation tactics, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld indicated that making detainees stand for up to four hours was no biggie in the physical stress department. "I stand for 8-10 hours a day," Rummy scrawled. "Why is standing limited to four hours?"
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Why am I feeling very uneasy about being the first to post on this thread? You guessed it, because I am an American. The topic of this thread and all others which condemn the US are part and parcel of what the rest of the world thinks of us (except maybe Israel). They think this way because there is EVIDENCE to support their beliefs. Anyone here who might read please know this, there are many of us who are proud of what America SHOULD stand for but are absolutely ashamed of the image we have portrayed. This goes for Guantanamo, Katrina, homelessness, poverty, bigotry and Iraq (just to name a few) When my country chooses to not stand for what it professes to stand for I am ashamed. The so-called "Beacon on a hill" is but a pile of rubble morally and ethically. No outside forces have sought to destroy our nation as much as the inside forces have succeeded.
One must be judged by their deeds, not their thoughts. In that respect, America has utterly failed.
It is certainly shameful and disgrace for humanity. A few days before, I posted a article on this blog. Should middle east and other countries have their own guantanomo bay, for defending their freedom and existence. As justified by U.S and Its allies. I had made an effort to shed light on this issue. If this what America and their allies stand for, then for sure, they are on can be equated to NAZI's. I presume the root cause of terrorism, is inequality, occupation, racial discrimination which motivate individuals to choose the path of desperation, for their despair in seeking justice in this world. If the rules of the game are as such based on the "will of the stronger".
There are simple questions. "why should we be led by them for the values they stand for". Why is that we need to abide by the hypocratic laws enforced or imposed on us. I presume these would be questions of individuals who are victims of oppression, racial discrimination and injustice against them. The reality is it is the culture of the west. GOD BLESS AMERICA ONLY; AND HAIL MASSIAH OF FREEDOM GEORGE W BUSH.
I remember these words from the history. " Gentlemen we came to this land as traders, God willing today we rule the whole subcontinent (Hindustan)"- God Complex, these are the words of a former colonial EAST INDIA, today we see neocolonialism with a new face of democracy and freedom.
The following comments are expressed under article 19 of universal declaration. If there is any constructive criticism to build better society the author welcomes positive discussions.
Just as a matter of thought. Consider a scenario, if the Allies would have lost the World War-II and NAZI's would have won the war. We would have certainly seen Guantanamo's around the globe? or what we would have. Please hit me with the scenarios. I don't think that they would adopt a different policy other than what the Bush adminstration is perceiving today.
Robin,
Are you unable to afford the airfare required to leave the US?
Just wondering.
We are upset when one of our own is kidnapped for four months. These people have been here for years. But that is OK.
Rumsfeld stands for eight hours, only with a broomstick up his ass for support.
Protect freedom at a cost of someone elses freedom.
Lies to cover lies to protect King George.
Caleb,
Post 6 sounds like the "If you don't like this country, get out" mantra, thinly disguised. For over two-hundred years, US citizens who don't like their nation's policies have been allowed to voice that opinion without recourse of expulsion/loss of citizenship. In addition to the tortured backs of Africans and Native Americans, the US was founded on revolution. Unless you have a large stake in the pie of this oligarchy, you shouldn't be so quick to condemn its detractors.
Forgot the McCarthy trials and the World War 2 internment camps. And the hundreds of other infractions against US citizens that we'd be sure to uncover by only scratching the surface. But besides that, yes, the First Amendment is still on the books.
you've been subar-tagged with all planeters
http://hareega.blogspot.com/2006/03/suber-tag-to-all-planeters_26.html
Raymond
The US mantra has always been "America, love it or leave it".
I agree with you that America is a beautiful country. But now that Bush is in control the religious right is running the country.
The separation of church and politics is dissapearing.
This is one of the problems that everyone else is starting to hate you!
Just announced, three comitted suicide today at Guantanamo. Two Saudis and one Yemeni http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/06/10/AR2006061000524.html
Here is a copy of the letter sent to Congress, 10,000 Voices for Justice, written by Amnesty International in Bahrain and sent June 6, 2006 http://www.cageprisoners.com/campaigns.php?id=321
Imprisoned for almost five years with no trials. Now some have chosen death.
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