LEFT OF THE RIGHT: Double Standard Doled Out To Guantanamo Detainee's One Of Many Causes For Foreign Animosity Towards U.S.

A Federal Appeals court ruled yesterday that detainee’s at Guantanamo in Cuba do not have the right to challenge their incarceration in civilian courts. In other words, what we’re saying with this decision is, “we here in the U.S. believe in a persons right to due process, but only if you’re a citizen.” This forces me to wonder just how committed are we to these truths we find to be self evident, if we can’t bring ourselves to believe ALL people are deserving of them.

 What is it like to be an average Middle Easterner just trying to live your life in peace? And then hearing that if the U.S. were to mistake you for a terrorist, you could be imprisoned indefinitely without the right to even defend your innocence. Yet U.S. citizens are guaranteed that right. Gee, could it be you might feel that it’s a little unfair? In fact wouldn’t you see this as a powerful country applying a double standard to you?

I cannot understand how we can so fervently celebrate the principals our country was founded on, and then declare ANY group an exception, regardless of what they may be accused of. Are not “all men created equal?” These beliefs aren’t just words, they are the foundation of our society. And I don’t think I need to remind anyone what happens when you start picking away at any structure’s foundation.

We’re living in very dangerous times, and I’m not talking about the terrorist threat. I’m talking about the inherent danger that comes with tinkering with our basic rights. And about the resulting confusion and animosity from our international brethren when they hear us say one thing, but do another.

There are plenty of other causes for bad feelings towards the United States. The exploitation of poor countries by American corporations has been a sore subject for decades. The narcissistic, arrogant way we conduct foreign policy has been fodder for our foes since World War I. And more recently, the current administration’s snubbing of virtually the entire international community regarding environmental initiatives. But I think it’s when we are being perceived as turning our backs on our own principals that we fill the good people of the world with dismay.

We cannot allow our courts to make exceptions for foreign nationals period. Either we believe in these rights or we don’t. How can we expect the rest of the world to respect us if we don’t walk our own talk. Now, I’m sure that most if not all the prisoners being held in Guantanamo are dangerous people. But I’m also sure that if there is just one innocent person there, then that’s one too many. Justice for all has to mean justice for all, or we’ll end up with justice for none.

Tinkering with the basic tenants of our constitution in the name of national security is a bad idea and nothing good can come of it. If we turn our back on our principals, the world will turn it’s back on us.

Devin Barber, Politics Correspondent

Devin’s column, “Left Of The Right” published every Tuesday and Thursday to

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Devin was raised by proud Roosevelt Democrats. Being the son of parents counted among the throng of Americans displaced by the Great Depression has given Devin a deep rooted passion for causes dealing with the poor and the working class.

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