"The Prison That Won't Go Away" is an editorial that appeared in the New York Times on March 9, 2011 (Page A26).  The article gives a brief overview of the prison at Guantanamo Bay.  The author first blames the Bush administration for the creation of the prison but quickly attacks the Obama administration as well.  “…Barack Obama raised the hopes of millions around the world in 2008 when he campaigned on the promise of closing it.  On Monday, that promise crumbled, the victim of Congressional spinelessness and President Obama’s inability to create political support for a way out of the moral quagmire created by his predecessor.”  Most of the “moral quagmire”  the author refers to revolves around one concept, indefinite detention.  The prisoners cannot be tried (either because evidence to prosecute them is classified or gathered illegally).  Even though the prisoners cannot receive a trial they are deemed too dangerous to release.  The author goes over some things Obama has been able to improve but quickly points out how disappointing those improvements are.  Presidential administrations are not the only groups to feel the authors bite.  “…members of Congress from both parties, in an act of notable political cowardice, banned moving those trials to the United States.”

            The unnamed author clearly dislikes the entire concept of an American prison without American laws and I have to agree.  Shame, anger, revulsion.  These are all words describing how the writers of our Bill of Rights would feel if they knew about the prison America has at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.  There are only ten main guarantees in the Bill of Rights, and Guantanamo Bay tramples on four of them.  The fourth (unreasonable searches), fifth (due process), sixth (speedy trial and trial by jury), and eighth (cruel and unusual punishment) amendments are being ignored.  While the people there are not U.S. citizens it is our moral imperative to uphold our ideals, not to ignore them when it suits us.  Yes, the terrorists need to be stopped, but at what cost?  Holding these prisoners indefinitely because they are dangerous opens a Pandora’s Box of resentment and fear from other countries.  Our freedom is why so many people try to make it to America.  If we are so ready to take away those freedoms from others and justify it by saying, “It’s okay, it’s in Cuba.”  I fear what parlor tricks to dance around the Constitution our government may try next.

"The Prison That Won't Go Away"