So President Obama has failed to close Guantanamo within one year.
It looks like he may never close it. Up to 50 prisoners remain designated too dangerous to release.
I think Gitmo is and has become a signal to the outside world that America is no better than other governments in terms of the rule of law and human rights.
So on that level I favor closing it........ Because actually the US is generally a shining example of democracy human rights, compared to most for the rule of law, freedom of the Press,....... blah blah.
So for PR purposes it would be good to close it.
Of course there is the slight problem that the guys contained there now probably are terrorists and might be a threat to innocent lives.
The Brits that were released appear to be at least be fellow travelers with terror but have never been charged or convicted of anything ...... they are probably taking up a pile of MI5 time...... it would be slightly lapse to allow one of those guys to be involved in actual terrorism and embarrassing after petitioning for their release.
It's a tricky one.
I would hate innocent people to be killed as a result of public relations.
I myself would have liked to see the place closed........ and some kind of due process for the people contained........... after all it is wrong for their containment to go on forever without any legal redress no matter who they are .........
It was a long time ago when I was there........ Some of the people are still incarcerated from back then......... and still have had no trial....... that can't be right.......
I notice the UK has gone to increased threat level............. As if they are expecting another attack....... On an airport or subway train......... or another bus packed with innocent Londoners.
Terrorism is vile. Terrorism is a genuine problem for free societies........
It's tricky.........Clearly Obama would like to shut the place........ but genuinely thinks he cannot risk it ....... or cannot risk it at the moment at least.
I shot the picture above on the boat back to the main base from Camp Delta the original holding facilitiy at Gitmo........ the US flag does not seem so clearly defined here....... even though the camp motto was "Duty Bound to Defend Freedom"
Cheers Jez XXXXXXXXXXXX
PS......... Here is a link to a new think piece on the missed closure anniversary by the BBC's Jon Manel........ I was with him at Guantanamo......... http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/8460183.stm
The whole concept of detention without trial is wrong Obama should close the place like he promised. I can't believe he has not met that commitment.[reply]Martin Dwalh @ January 24, 2010, 9:29 am
Nice picture i love the way the flag is fading. like you say this place is for America almost without being of America. Detention without trial is in its self down right unAmerican.[reply]Bobby K @ January 24, 2010, 11:34 am
Seems a high iso low shutter creation of yours..an original with a little bit of camera shake Jez..you show us how how to stretch our imagination and create out of the ordinary..engaging note..
You know thats a 100ASA transparency film fujichrome 100 RDP2 so i do not have the exact numbers........but i know this is made with an incredibly long exposure....... Im guessing 1/4 of a second probably wide open at f2.8...... which is madness on a boat going along........ with the flag flapping...... oh and hand held of course....... I think thats what President Obama would call 'The Audacity of Hope' ......... hehehehe.......... Its been a bit of a washout of a Sunday down here in the big ATL with rain rain rain ...... but I was still shooting anyway ..... more of the audacity of hope hehehehe...... Hope you have had a great day :-))
Cheers Jez XXXXXXXX[reply]Jezblog Atlanta :-)) @ January 24, 2010, 8:18 pm
From the start I was convinced that Obama's apparent failures would not be measured in the light of the system in which he must work, but in accordance to the high --too high-- set of expectation of those who voted for him. Some accuse of Obama of being naive, but I think the voters were too naive and ignorant of the political realities, of how corrupt, ineffective, and unsustainable America's two-party system. One that works for its own interest and private big business.
This does not take Obama off the hook. Sadly he has proven to be an ordinary politician in many ways than one that I would care to detail here.
Love the photo, Jez. [reply]Luis @ January 25, 2010, 1:38 am
Great image; the hint of a sunset on the fading symbol of capitalism...;-) On first look I wondered what the 'writing' was...![reply]Steve Marshall @ January 25, 2010, 1:22 pm
More+
So President Obama has failed to close Guantanamo within one year.
It looks like he may never close it. Up to 50 prisoners remain designated too dangerous to release.
I think Gitmo is and has become a signal to the outside world that America is no better than other governments in terms of the rule of law and human rights.
So on that level I favor closing it........ Because actually the US is generally a shining example of democracy human rights, compared to most for the rule of law, freedom of the Press,....... blah blah.
So for PR purposes it would be good to close it.
Of course there is the slight problem that the guys contained there now probably are terrorists and might be a threat to innocent lives.
The Brits that were released appear to be at least be fellow travelers with terror but have never been charged or convicted of anything ...... they are probably taking up a pile of MI5 time...... it would be slightly lapse to allow one of those guys to be involved in actual terrorism and embarrassing after petitioning for their release.
It's a tricky one.
I would hate innocent people to be killed as a result of public relations.
I myself would have liked to see the place closed........ and some kind of due process for the people contained........... after all it is wrong for their containment to go on forever without any legal redress no matter who they are .........
It was a long time ago when I was there........ Some of the people are still incarcerated from back then......... and still have had no trial....... that can't be right.......
I notice the UK has gone to increased threat level............. As if they are expecting another attack....... On an airport or subway train......... or another bus packed with innocent Londoners.
Terrorism is vile. Terrorism is a genuine problem for free societies........
It's tricky.........Clearly Obama would like to shut the place........ but genuinely thinks he cannot risk it ....... or cannot risk it at the moment at least.
I shot the picture above on the boat back to the main base from Camp Delta the original holding facilitiy at Gitmo........ the US flag does not seem so clearly defined here....... even though the camp motto was "Duty Bound to Defend Freedom"
Cheers Jez XXXXXXXXXXXX
PS......... Here is a link to a new think piece on the missed closure anniversary by the BBC's Jon Manel........ I was with him at Guantanamo......... http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/8460183.stm
www.jezblog.com
[reply]Martin Dwalh @ January 24, 2010, 9:29 am
[reply]Bobby K @ January 24, 2010, 11:34 am
have a great sunday
sayeed
[reply]Sayeed @ January 24, 2010, 1:06 pm
Cheers Jez XXXXXXXX
[reply]Jezblog Atlanta :-)) @ January 24, 2010, 8:18 pm
This does not take Obama off the hook. Sadly he has proven to be an ordinary politician in many ways than one that I would care to detail here.
Love the photo, Jez.
[reply]Luis @ January 25, 2010, 1:38 am
[reply]Steve Marshall @ January 25, 2010, 1:22 pm
All images on this blog are copyright JEZ COULSON / INSIGHT-VISUAL | veiwed 3 times today