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The U.S. Constitution is not just for Americans
A recommendation of Jacob Hornberger's article "A Presumption of Guilt at Guantanamo" & Torture Facts/stats from Human
Rights First
by Christine Smith
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
This is fundamental to what American stands for: respect of the individual...of the human rights of all.
To mistreat
any human being (within our nation or those held by our government) is to reject everything good America once stood for.
It is liberty for all that we once cherished and for which we were respected for worldwide. Regardless of
one's guilt or innocence, our nation stands (presumably) for justice for all, and that requires implementation of what we
know is true: The U.S. Constitution applies not only to all within our country but also as in this case - those
foreigners being detained by our country. But detainees held by our government (or by other nations for our government) are
not receiving justice - but torture. Our system of justice isn't perfect, but it is the best yet developed and it must be
there for American citizens as well as foreigners.
As a nation, we've endured much struggle and bloodshed. But never
must we allow any crisis we face to turn us from the greatest thing we've achieved: a belief in the immutable rights of the
individual. For this we must always be vigilant, for it is the core which separates us from those who do permit their anger
(fueled by fear) to govern rather than their rational ability and certainly rather than their inherent moral compass.
Every
American should be outraged at the mistreatment of our fellow human beings being held by (or for) the U.S. federal government.
Their suffering, at the hands of the U.S. government, is no secret. Thus, it is up to all Americans to reject this...and rejecting
it begins with greater understanding of what's being done "in our name." Be it physical torture or psychological torture,
many worldwide are suffering - held indefinitely - because our federal government is allowing the military (Pentagon) to oversee
what happens rather than federal courts. If sufficient evidence exists for such detainees, they should be charged in the federal
courts -- and if no such evidence exists - they should be freed. That's due process.
The horrors detainees are
subjected to has fortunately become much more reported now than ever before.
Yet, still it seems to me the majority
of Americans are unaware of this great injustice our government is responsible for. It is imperative that more Americans learn
of the increasing tyranny of this government - and the unjust cruel treatment of foreigners in their prison camps is a prime
example. Add your voice for those who have none by learning the facts, sharing them, and opposing all politicians (the
majority of our "representatives" in our federal government) who sanction/condone this tyranny.
Thus, I wish
to highly recommend my readers visit (and share) a recent column written by Jacob Hornberger entitled, "A Presumption of Guilt
at Guantanamo" [link edited for length] In it, Hornberger examines the mistreatment of the federal government's detainees - locked away so that the federal government
can do whatever it wants to their prisoners - free from due process of law and the judicial process in our nation. It's an
informative article which I believe many more Americans would do well to read and share.
Guantanamo and Abu Ghraib
are just two examples of such camps; I also recommend that you visit (and share) [link edited for length] the Human Rights Watch page regarding the torture the U.S. government is responsible for. Read facts about the tens
of thousands of those who've been held by the U.S. government, their deaths, those who have been subjected to rendition,
and other sad statistics on what the government is doing.
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