Two days ago, President Bush authorized the movement of 14 individuals suspected of al-Qaida involvement from secret prisons to the detention center at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, for military tribunals, pending congressional approval. The move made waves, as it was the first official confirmation of the existence of secret prison facilities abroad. Opinions run the gamut on the necessity for secret facilities and what may or may not have occurred therein.
These are dangerous men with unparalleled knowledge about terrorist networks and their plans for new attacks. The security of our nation and the lives of our citizens depend on our ability to learn what these terrorists know. … Were it not for this program, our intelligence community believes that al-Qaida and its allies would have succeeded in launching another attack against the American homeland.
-President Bush, according to a Wednesday Associated Press article
President Bush has finally realized that American values are the way to win the war on terror – the values of true openness, a commitment to having fair trials and not allowing the torture of detainees.
-Zachary Katznelson, lawyer representing 36 Guantanamo detainees, according to a Wednesday Washington Post article
George Bush is steamrollering his way over even his own judicial system. It is essential that the (European Union) steps up its efforts to put an end to this terrible abuse of human rights.
-Liz Lynne, European parliament member, in a Washington Post article yesterday
What students said:
-Wook Tae Jung
pre-computer science freshman
-Tahlia Bragg
psychology junior
-Jacob Lauderdale
architecture graduate student
