Fighting for freedom?
The most interesting article on the news tonight was, in my opinion, the release of an extensive list of names of prisoners held at Guantanamo Bay. Interesting, because it shows such blatant hypocrisy on behalf of the US government. Of the five hundred and fighty-eight people on the list, only ten have actually been charged with anything. Some have been held for over four years without charge. I find it massively hypocritical for the US to justify war in the name of values such as freedom, liberty, and justice, and then to act in a completely different manner by detaining people indefinitely (thereby denying freedom and liberty) and not pressing charges (where's the justice?). Practice what you preach, especially if you're going to wage something as heinous as war as a result of your preaching.
Of course, I am not seeking to defend criminals and terrorists. They should be prosecuted to the full extent of the law and given fair punishment for their misdeeds. They should not be held indefinitely without charge, and denied their basic legal and human rights. No-one should be. As far as I'm concerned, being forcibly removed from your home and your loved ones and indefinitely detained without charge constitutes cruel and unusual punishment. Whatever happened to being innocent until presumed guilty? If a case exists against them, prosecute them; if it doesn't, let them go. And don't give me any "enemy combatant" bollocks. Basic legal and human rights exist in wartime just as much as they do in peace. And I thought Bush said the mission was accomplished anyway? Or shall I just chalk that up as another lie, or maybe a cute little Bushism?
Of course, I am not seeking to defend criminals and terrorists. They should be prosecuted to the full extent of the law and given fair punishment for their misdeeds. They should not be held indefinitely without charge, and denied their basic legal and human rights. No-one should be. As far as I'm concerned, being forcibly removed from your home and your loved ones and indefinitely detained without charge constitutes cruel and unusual punishment. Whatever happened to being innocent until presumed guilty? If a case exists against them, prosecute them; if it doesn't, let them go. And don't give me any "enemy combatant" bollocks. Basic legal and human rights exist in wartime just as much as they do in peace. And I thought Bush said the mission was accomplished anyway? Or shall I just chalk that up as another lie, or maybe a cute little Bushism?