american voices

Letters to the New York Times today about the Guantanamo gulag.

To the Editor:

Re "Guantanamo's Long Shadow," by Anthony Lewis (Op-Ed, June 21):

I want to assure Mr. Lewis that despite his statement that "Americans have seemingly ceased to care" about the prison abuse at Abu Ghraib and Guantanamo, this American, and everyone I talk with, continues to be outraged by it and cares deeply. It is the leaders of this country, specifically the Bush administration, who do not care and want our country to forget.

I am continually frustrated that as a citizen with little voice or power other than contacting my elected representatives and casting my vote, I lack the ability to move this country to take the appropriate action.

Mr. Lewis, please tell me what you would have us do.

Patricia Smith
Madison, N.J., June 21, 2005

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To the Editor:

I agree with Anthony Lewis ("Guantanamo's Long Shadow"). And the longer we keep Guantanamo open, the more anger we will generate in the Muslim world.

The attack on 9/11 came not because the suicide bombers and their handlers were envious of our free democratic society but because of American foreign policy.

No matter how many terrorist plots we foil using new and better efforts, the only true safety for Americans will come when we become better world citizens, when we eschew military intervention and use diplomatic intervention.

I am an old woman, but I can dream, can't I?

Susan Stern
Chestnut Hill, Mass., June 21, 2005

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To the Editor:

At a June 20 press briefing, President Bush, in response to a question about the detention of suspected terrorists at Guantanamo and elsewhere, said, "What do you do with these people?" I have one suggestion: You could give them a trial.

James Scalzo
Philadelphia, June 21, 2005

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To the Editor:

Re "Who We Are" (editorial, June 18):

Americans are proud to be a society that lives under the rule of law, but our post-9/11 detention facilities were created specifically to sidestep accountability for prisoner abuse under any law, United States or international.

Our country will continue to pay an incalculably heavy global price till this self-righteous folly is ended.

Ted S. Corin
Austin, Tex., June 18, 2005

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To the Editor:

Re "Who We Are" (editorial, June 18):

We should have closed Guantanamo and the other prisons where torture has occurred long ago, if only in self-interest.

As you correctly point out, abusive treatment of prisoners jeopardizes members of our own military, if captured.

But another selfish consideration should be what the torturing does to the torturers.

What becomes of our young people in the military who are asked or commanded to do the unspeakable to another human being?

Torturers seek to dehumanize the prisoner, but in fact, it is they who lose their humanity.

Is this "who we are"?

Bev Smith
Wheeling, W.Va., June 18, 2005

These letters do my heart good. They give me hope.