Does the recent confession of an Al Queda suspect justify the existence of Guantanamo Bay?

Question

http://uk.news.yahoo.com/15032007/325/al-qaeda-suspect-admits-organising-9-11.html

Please see this from this mornings news, now - assuming this is the case and that, as the report suggests, other intelligence information has been gained from this individual that the US evidently felt was sensitive enough to edit from the report - does the ends justify the means as far as Guantanamo Bay is concerned?

I'd prefer to keep answers anti lefty ranting, anti Blair or Bush bashing without thought out justification for it, ANTI RACIST and intelligent if at all possible.

Oh and before anyone starts baiting me - I am not expressing an opinion either way, the issue is complex and I myself am not sure where I stand, especially as I am aware that only a fraction of the information leaks out of that place.

Answer 1

If they tortured a confession out of him, how on earth would you believe it, I think that club gitmo will be the downfall of Bush and he will either be hanged or go to prison himself over it.>

Answer 2

I'm not sure. I think the Americans got carried away when 9/11 happened. They are not used to being attacked on their home soil. However the extremists who brought this about have no morals and are prepared to do anything to get what they want. These are bad times and if extreme measures are required to defeat them then so be it.
There will always be innocent people caught up in conflicts, there is no avoiding it I know it sucks but so does the whole situation.
I know some people say that Guantanamo Bay is against human rights but what right do extremists have to blow people up, kidnap,torture and behead their captives. They are pure evil and you cannot deal with their likes nicely. These people should not have any human rights as they have no regard for others.

Question for the people who beleive it should be closed down

If all the people held at Guantanamo Bay were released tomorrow and a couple of months down the line, one of some of the people held there comitted another atrocity like 9/11. Would you still think it was the right thing to have done ?

Answer 3

Everything at Guantanamo Bay has shown itself to be entirely justified. Also the CIA so-called 'black flights'.

You will be please to learn, as I did from the BBC a couple days ago, that the Sheiks leading the clans around Baghdad have now turned their fury onto Al Qaida and have arrested hundreds of them including dozens of senior leaders thereof. Al Qaida made the big mistake of killing a number of Sheiks. Look at it like this. Let's suppose your were a member of a Scottish Clan - say the Macduffs and your Clan Chief was killed by an enemy, you'd go berserk wouldn't you? So this is roughly what has happened. Al Qaida has simply turned the tables upon itself by attacking the very people is pretended to support. Ha!

"Now, this is not the end, but it may very well be the end of the beginning."
Winston Churchill Mansion House speech c1941/2..

Answer 4

Providing for the common defense is a primary function of government according to the US constitution.

The old "Loose lips sinks ships" adage from WWII still makes good sense.

Some things need to be kept secret to avoid giving our enemies an advantage.

So, what justifies the prisoner of war camp at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba is not the confession of an Al Queda suspect, but national defense.

When it comes to life and death matters or survival of our nation, yes, the end sometimes has to be considered more important than the means.

If we knew that a murder was taking place, it would be more important to save a life than worry about violating the murderer's rights.

Answer 5

It would be interesting to redirect your question to the families of the people killed in the 28 separate attacks and plots this person is claiming he mastermind. Let me repeat that number again...28 attacks. That seems like a lot of terrorist attacks to take credit for if admitting to one would stop any oppressive treatment. I mention this only as a comment to those who mention that in the length of time there people might confess to anything...but 28 attacks? What does he gain?

Answer 6

The media has given GITMO a bad rap for no reason. The detainees are treated better than the guards and are more protected legally. They get everything they need and are NOT tortured or abused. It's not the Marriott by any means, but they aren't being abused in any way.

This is just one example of intel gathered from these detainees. There has been a constant stream of intel that has come from there and been pretty accurate. At least accurate enough to believe that it is effective and should remain.

I know you guys don't see any of this because you don't want to, but it's the truth.

Answer 7

Did the confession of thousands of witches justify the holy inquisition?

If you want a certain answer (true or not) there are ways to get it.

And what has Guantanamo to do with "rules of land-warfare"?
The US-military and administration is ignoring, bending and breaking these laws to get these people to Guantanamo.
You can't ask people to fight by your rules and at the same time completly ignore them yourself.

Answer 8

How can you believe anything that comes out of Guantanamo Bay. Everything is done in secret and with torture.

Answer 9

No. Nothin justifies it. It's existence and the babrbaric treatment that some have had to live through, and some are still going though increases the chances of further retribution. It is furhter increasing the view of America as the barbaric superpower that is against all but itself.

It simply does not help, and is an invasion of human rights on very little evidence in some cases.

Answer 10

GITMO has gotten a bad rap.the term torture gets tossed around with easy. the bad guys and these guys are dangerous. they were picked up on the battlefield and not in uniform. they could have been shot. prison are not supposed be comfortable. compare ABU GRAVE hazing vs the terrorist, who hooded and treathing them with beheading ,forcing to make statements in front a camera. most times torture (water boarding) works otherwise they wouldn't waste the time. some of our own soldiers go thur this. making them uncomfortable is alright. this is not civil rights issue. but the left wants to make it one. there is a time to choose sides.