Current Global Issue:

Prisoner 269:War on Terror

By: Dana Hadra and Kelsey Hopper

Guantanamo BayAfter the September 11, 2001 attacks on the United States and after the American Invasion of Afghanistan, poisoners suspected of being al Qaeda members or supporters were transported to Guantanamo.

-This resulted in discrimination and caused many Americans to fear anyone who resembled al Qaeda members.

-Also resulted in increased aggression and violence in the Middle East.

Guantanamo BayIn 2002, President George W. Bush made Guantanamo the central prison for suspects considered unlawful enemy combatants in the newly christened “war on terror.”

-Harsh interrogation tactics- such as sleep deprivation, shackling in stress positions and prolonged exposure to cold temperatures- drew global condemnation.

-Many people believe that such acts go against the ideas of Human Rights.

TortureWhy torture is not effective….Quotes from an article titled “Why Torture Doesn’t Work”:

“No one has yet offered any validated evidence that torture produces reliable intelligence. While torture apologists frequently make the claim that torture saves lives, that assertion is directly contradicted by many Army, FBI, and CIA professionals who have actually interrogated al Qaeda captives.”

“There can be no compromise on the moral imperative to protect the basic human rights of any individual incarcerated for any reason. Our embrace of torture is completely inconsistent with our commitment to equal justice and the rule of law.”

LeverageThe ideas behind the United States’ relationships with the Middle East, the war on terror, human rights, Guantanamo bay, discrimination and torture are all the underlying structures and big ideas of the global issue regarding Prisoner 269.

Potential points of Leverage:-Americans need to educate themselves on what is going on in the Middle East and at Guantanamo.-We must not assume that anyone of Muslim background or of Islamic faith is a terrorist.-We must not have preconceived notions or ideas about any prisoners or detainees.-We cannot hold prisoners if there is insufficient evidence.-We must stop using harsh torture tactics when trying to get information from a detainee. Possible Solution-Mend our relationships in the Middle East-Close Guantanamo (Support President Obama, in his mission to do so)Quote from President Barack Obama, August 1 2006, in a speech about what he would do as President:“I will also reject a legal framework that does not work. There has been only one conviction at Guantanamo. It was for a guilty plea on a – on material support terrorism. The sentence was nine months long. There has not been one conviction of a terrorist act. I have faith in American’s courts, and I have faith in our JAGs. As President, I will close Guantanamo…”

Works Citedhttp://topics.nytimes.com/top/news/national/usstatesterritoriesandpossessions/guantanamobaynavalbasecuba/index.htmlhttp://www.globalsecurity.org/military/facility/guantanamo-bay.htmhttp://www.alternet.org/rights/28585/http://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/barackobamawilson center.html