6
6
0
"Indefinite Detainees," and "Forever Prison," are misnomers. Meanings of words matter when dealing with sensitive legal issues, like those surrounding the US military detention facility (not a "prison") at the US Navy Station at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. As the former ranking US Army Medical Department officer with the Joint Detainee Operations Group (JDOG), Joint Task Force 160 (JTF 160), and a member of the 455th Military Police Detachment (Brigade Liaison Detachment), 800th Military Police (Enemy Prisoner of War) Brigade, who served at Gitmo from February to June, 2002, I can tell you a real story about the place and it's real mission.
Far from finding fault in the mission, most Americans can be proud of the operation there. Detainees are treated with dignity and respect, and enjoy FREE Qurans, prayer rugs and beads, directions to Mecca, halal and special Muslim holiday meals, services of US military Muslim chaplains, white robes, beards, world class health, dental and vision care, recreation, library, TV, DVD, video games, sports and more.
All this and not ONE of the 731 released detainees has been executed, beheaded, blown up, hacked to death, dragged naked and lifeless through the streets, drowned or burned alive; all things our enemies have done to us and/or our allies.
Gitmo is not a perfect place, but, according to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) physicians I worked with there and later in Iraq, "No one does [detention operations] better than the US." Gitmo is not "indefinite" or "forever." Not anymore than when we held over 400,000 mostly German lawful combatant POW's in the US during WWII. POW's were not "punished" unless found guilty by military commission of committing war crimes. Similarly, detainees are not in a corrections or penal status (unless prosecuted and found guilty).
According to the Geneva Conventions and the Law of War, even lawful combatants can be held without charge or trial, "until hostilities end."
When all Islamists are dead or no longer have the means or will to kill us, I suppose then we could discuss the end of hostilities in the Global War on Terror. But like an aggressive cancer, the enemy keeps mutating and metastasizing. We don't call this "indefinite" or "forever," we call this undetermined or say "until hostilities end," like the law pronounces.
Gitmo is a small piece to a big puzzle of how we win the Global War on Terror. It is the best, safest and most secure place to keep unlawful combatant Islamists who want to kill us.
Far from finding fault in the mission, most Americans can be proud of the operation there. Detainees are treated with dignity and respect, and enjoy FREE Qurans, prayer rugs and beads, directions to Mecca, halal and special Muslim holiday meals, services of US military Muslim chaplains, white robes, beards, world class health, dental and vision care, recreation, library, TV, DVD, video games, sports and more.
All this and not ONE of the 731 released detainees has been executed, beheaded, blown up, hacked to death, dragged naked and lifeless through the streets, drowned or burned alive; all things our enemies have done to us and/or our allies.
Gitmo is not a perfect place, but, according to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) physicians I worked with there and later in Iraq, "No one does [detention operations] better than the US." Gitmo is not "indefinite" or "forever." Not anymore than when we held over 400,000 mostly German lawful combatant POW's in the US during WWII. POW's were not "punished" unless found guilty by military commission of committing war crimes. Similarly, detainees are not in a corrections or penal status (unless prosecuted and found guilty).
According to the Geneva Conventions and the Law of War, even lawful combatants can be held without charge or trial, "until hostilities end."
When all Islamists are dead or no longer have the means or will to kill us, I suppose then we could discuss the end of hostilities in the Global War on Terror. But like an aggressive cancer, the enemy keeps mutating and metastasizing. We don't call this "indefinite" or "forever," we call this undetermined or say "until hostilities end," like the law pronounces.
Gitmo is a small piece to a big puzzle of how we win the Global War on Terror. It is the best, safest and most secure place to keep unlawful combatant Islamists who want to kill us.
Gitmo's past and future
Posted from wlrn.org
Guantanamo Bay
War on Terror
Law
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 6
4
4
0
MAJ Montgomery Granger I appreciate the unique insight into the conditions at Gitmo. I am curious as to why things don't always seem as rosy in the other pictures and stories.
Another point I'd consider relooking is the idea that we have to kill all "Islamists." Islamists aren't really the problem. The problem is Islamic extremists - the same way that Christian extremists are a problem - and not just Christians.
Another point I'd consider relooking is the idea that we have to kill all "Islamists." Islamists aren't really the problem. The problem is Islamic extremists - the same way that Christian extremists are a problem - and not just Christians.
(4)
(0)
MAJ Bryan Zeski
Islamism is not a form of the Muslim faith or an expression of Muslim piety; it is, rather, a political ideology that strives to derive legitimacy from Islam.
(3)
(0)
MAJ Montgomery Granger
I disagree. The Muslim faith is based on theocracy, that their religion is also their government. That is diametrically opposed to democracy, freedom and liberty. Constitutionally, our government may NOT sponsor nor dictate a religion. In all Islamic republics the religious leaders are also the highest government authority.
(0)
(0)
MAJ Bryan Zeski
MAJ Montgomery Granger - Even if we grant that some Muslims feel that way, it doesn't make every Muslim an enemy of democracy, freedom and liberty. Most Christians would say that their duty to their God outweighs theirs duty to their country as well.
And if we're talking about governmental systems, as oppose to Muslim individuals, then are we advocating that the United States get into the business of overthrowing all Islamic countries? No, of course not.
And if we're talking about governmental systems, as oppose to Muslim individuals, then are we advocating that the United States get into the business of overthrowing all Islamic countries? No, of course not.
(2)
(0)
3
3
0
MAJ Montgomery Granger This will be an interesting thread! - I look forward to the discussion - Is GITMO still in operation?
(3)
(0)
MAJ Montgomery Granger
Hi Robert, yes, Gitmo is still operational and waiting for more bad guys! About 40 detainees remain, including about 10 who are in pre-trial procedures fro prosecution under the 2009 Military Commissions Act. Hooah!
(1)
(0)
MAJ Bryan Zeski
MAJ Montgomery Granger - Doesn't your article say that they aren't "bad guys" until they are tried....?
(2)
(0)
MAJ Bryan Zeski
Capt Gregory Prickett - It was his article, so I figured he might have SOME agreement with it... :)
(1)
(0)
2
2
0
MAJ Montgomery Granger good information. I will say this and hope I don't have to dodge bullets. Just as there are believers feel that serial murders should not be put to death, but remain incarcerated for their natural life, so is the same for dangerous enemies of the state. I cannot see myself condemning someone to death but I could see myself condemning someone indefinitely to Gitmo to await a trial. If the conspirators of 911 had not died and I had to make the call they would be in Gitmo until 10 generations of leaders could sort it out, as well as, subsequent enemies of the state. How does the Mafia operate? One murders a godfather, the same one must murder the entire family, if not the generation down will come for a reckoning. Trained, programmed killers kill until they die. You top secret and secret clearance holders know this.
(2)
(0)
Read This Next
-
Ask questionGet expert advice and
tips for your questions. -
Post updatePost pictures, personal updates, plans, or anything you like!
Continue with Facebook 
Continue with Google 
