If you haven't yet read the first-hand account of a prisoner being force-fed by medical professionals in Guantanamo, please take a moment to read, so we can collectively right the wrongs we've allowed our government to mete out:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/04/15/opinion/hunger-striking-at-guantanamo-bay.html
This letter to the American public by a migrant worker captured in Pakistan and detained for over ten years without a trial or any semblance of due process appeared on page A19 of the New York Times today, 4/15/13. I think it's front page news. It's a pretty shocking account of what's being done to prisoners in an American prison, by Americans to individuals not charged with any crimes. The force-feeding procedure strikes me as completely inhumane. I like to think that, confronted with a human face, the average American wouldn't deem it appropriate to treat anyone this way, regardless of their nation of origin or native language. Why has the war on terror become that one area where we tell politicians we're ok with them doing what they think is best and no monitoring is necessary? A Christmas tree dwarfing a menorah on a town green musters more public ire than rampant cases of torture at Gitmo. You can light a party up by starting a debate about whether it's ok to spray tan a baby for a beauty pageant, so how about we channel that into something useful for a few minutes? I'll even do it, too.
Here is the web-site for the Senate Foreign Relations Committee:
http://www.foreign.senate.gov
Here is a list of the senators that sit on the committee - these are people representing the American people in the Senate on issues relative to foreign policy, national security and things like Gitmo:
Robert Menendez, Chairman (New Jersey)
Bob Corker, Ranking Member (Tennessee)
Barbara Boxer (California)
Benjamin L. Cardin (Maryland)
Robert P. Casey Jr (Pennsylvania)
Jeanne Shaheen (New Hampshire)
Christopher Coons (Delaware)
Richard J. Durbin (Illinois)
Tom Udall (New Mexico)
Chris Murphy (Connecticut)
Tim Kain (Virginia)
James E. Risch (Idaho)
Marco Rubio (Florida)
Ron Johnson (Wisconsin)
Jeff Flake (Arizona)
John McCain (Arizona)
John Barrasso (Wyoming)
Rand Paul (Kentucky)
One of my senators is on here, and he heard from me today. I called his office to tell him I'd like action against what is happening at the Guantanamo Prison. I also sent an email letting him know that I felt the story read like a Frederick Douglass slave narrative and I wanted him to speak out against this type of cruelty. If people think it's pointless to pick up the phone or send an email or write a letter to elected officials because it's not going to change anything, the entire system has failed. The only time politicians get feedback is during an election - that's the equivalent of your waitress only ever smiling at you and being nice when she drops off the bill at your table. I don't think human cruelty is a partisan issue, so it doesn't matter if you're red or blue, this is really atrociously wrong and you should say something about it to those in a position to fix the problem. If we were all characters in The Hunger Games, you realize we'd be the Capitol, right?
On the one hand, I appreciate the way you educate me about current events. I didn't know Ruth Bader Ginsberg until I started reading your blog, but I did get weird looks when I tried to explain to my mom that I recognized the name from the name of a cat on a blog I read. On the other hand, I enjoy reading your light sarcasm and insights on life and culture as a way to have a few minutes away from my stressful job. Every time I have a break and find a new entry in my email, I say "yesssssss" and stop what I'm doing to read it. So, not to downplay the importance of this topic, but I don't think I'll enjoy things as much if it's always heavy on the horrible things in the world.
ReplyDeleteI need as many laughs in my day as possible.
Nola - first, thank you so much for reading the blog. You're clearly not my mom or dad and I appreciate that you took the time to comment and even enjoy what I'm writing. If I ever meet Ruth Bader Ginsburg, I can now brag that I've raised her profile a bit.
ReplyDeleteI typically blog about what strikes me passionately in the moment: bicycles on sidewalks, Yalies littering, how I eat too much, Rick Santorum and yes, torture. I know at least one person that responded to yesterday's post by writing to her Senator. Another person got in touch with me to tell me that after the Boston bombings, he wanted to torture everyone.
I'm a natural-born loudmouth, so whining about crap I don't like comes naturally to me. I'm used to people getting tired of what I say, too. I love complaining about things, but I am also a good citizen. I'm engaged in my surroundings, I help others, I live by a standard set of morals and ethics - and I never stick my head in the sand, even when things are gruesome, sickening, ugly or annoying. I think a lot of people are ambivalent about torture, and as a natural-born loudmouth, I want to see if I can sway a few. I'm sorry your job is stressful and I'm sorry you didn't like the post. If you want me to send your boss/clients/customers a bag of cat poop, just let me know. I hope you'll continue reading, anyway. Thanks again!
Okay, I'm sold. I'll read whatever you post - and like it. Not that I didn't "like" reading about Guantanamo Bay, but I would feel strange about someone that enjoys bad things.
ReplyDeleteIt helps to know why you write what you write. It makes sense now. Don't stop!
My clients are kids, so they don't deserve cat poop.... I probably shouldn't say who I'd like to see receive cat poop on the internet.
Also, while I'm at it, it kinda seems like you've changed positions on having babies.
I got itchy all over when I read the line about changing positions on having babies. My next post is dedicated to you, Nola. . .
ReplyDelete