A tale of two prisons ...

A tale of two prisons ...
or ... why not Alcatraz instead of Gitmo?

After the attacks of September 11, 2001 the United States and others were faced with many choices of how to deal with the rise of international terrorism and Islamic Extremism. The opportunity in front of us was one that – if done properly – would clearly show that certain ideals about liberty, openness, and freedom were a direct counter to something ultimately as defeatist as we were facing. My understanding of history is one that shows that movements that are ultimately about consolidated power of a few over the rights of the vast majority lose out. The majority of the Islamic world is not interested in the goals and aims of groups like Al Quaeda, they want the basics of life like other cultures do, and they were also mostly horrified by the atrocities committed in the name of their religion.

Would the leaders with the task of facing up to modern terrorism live up to it by showing the world that the bar was high, a transparent and fair legal system was essential to democracy, and clearly show that the terrorists were leading their society down the wrong path by showing the strength of a society based upon strong civil liberties?

No.

The US government has turned on its own people; trampling civil liberties, blocking access to information at every turn, and focusing on secrecy above all else. Our government has taken the notion of civil liberties as a sign of weakness, when it is in fact our greatest strength in the long run.

Gitmo is a perfect example. We have essentially ignored and tried to create international law at the same time. The utter lack of transparency in government is a historical sign that something being done needs to be hidden because it is wrong. And why Cuba? It is clear to me that it was chosen because of the opportunity to function outside of scrutiny and that the Bush Administration was shocked at the reaction its plan met and continues to meet by Americans and the rest of the world.

No, Alcatraz would have been a far better choice of locations. The thought of terrorist suspects, real and legitimate ones going through a very public and open legal process in the heart of San Francisco Bay while being forced to look at the bright lights across the water would have been a far more powerful signal to the world and the terrorists themselves. We could have said, “We have nothing to hide,” and proceeded to give Americans a good solid look at the process with confidence in our government and its leaders.

That did not happen.