I’ve said all I care to say about the disgraceful state of affairs at Guantanamo (both the conditions there and the circumstances that brought people there) here and here.
But the simple and sad fact of the matter is that until the abuses cease, attention must be paid to what continues to happen. In all of our names. (A dilemma that, in my estimation, has two primary components: one, people are not aware of what is happening; two, people that do for the most part don’t particularly care.)
How does a sentient American citizen respond to an appalling revelation like this?
Fayiz was captured by the Northern Alliance in 2001 and probably sold to the American forces in Afghanistan. At first he believed that he would be released because of his circumstances — he was doing charity work in an impoverished nation to fulfill his religious duties. Nonetheless, Fayiz has been held for nearly eight years at various locations and suffered harsh interrogations. One such session left him with broken ribs and extensive bruises.
Read the rest of the story (written by Air Force judge advocate general Barry Wingard) here.
There are three primary issues that need to be understood, and acknowledged.
One: all but the most oblivious or willfully ignorant hardliners (i.e., chickenhawk republicans) concur that torture by Americans, under any circumstances is morally wrong and strategically ineffective.
Two: torture by Americans of untried and ostensibly innocent human beings is morally reprehensible and criminal.
Three: Obama, who campaigned to investigate (and end) these abuses has not only failed to do so, and showed no signs of doing so, but is presently upping the ante of the ludicrous policies he inherited.
Change we can believe in? Give me a personal break.
