cynicschism

       President Obama was correct to start the process of having some kind of trial system for the detainees currently being held at the Guantanamo Naval Base.  Holding people, no matter what their exact legal status, without any kind of trial for such a long period of time, is simply wrong.  And some of the detainees have been held  for nearly seven years.  It is long past due for them to be afforded the opportunity to have their day in court. 

       This will probably result in a long judicial process, which is just as well.  There must be two important outcomes of whatever type of process is undertaken:  They must carefully weigh all the relevant evidence in a fair way, and make sure that none of the suspected terrorists are let go before such an examination has occurred, and they are found not guilty.  This will both assure there are fair proceedings, and that the country is protected.

       The United States likes to present itself  as a country that is always goes the extra mile in matters of justice.  By giving the Guantanamo detainees fair trials, it can both live up to this ideal, and gain some rare good publicity in the international community, making the closing of Guantanamo a win-win for the U.S. 

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