This Aug. 7, 2013, file photo shows the U.S. flag at the U.S. Naval Base in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. The United States has sent five detainees from the prison at Guantanamo Bay to Kazakhstan, marking a renewed push by President Barack Obama to close the controversial jail. (Chantal Valery, AFP/Getty file)
Re:”Rethinking policy on Guantanamo,” Jan. 12 editorial.
The exorbitant cost of maintaining the prison at Guantanamo Bay should be sufficient to expedite its closing, but your editorial overlooks two even more important reasons why the prison should be closed.
Its existence has been a rallying call for recruitment of terrorists and militants worldwide since 9/11. Furthermore, the prison and the treatment of prisoners is an affront to the U.S. Constitution, the rule of law and international treaties.
Mary D. Poole,Denver
This letter was published in the Jan. 18 edition.
Leaving the Guantanamo prisoners where they’re at is the safest place in the world for the people of the United States. Here’s why:
Trying them in U.S. courts would legitimize their actions by making them mere criminals instead of ruthless terrorists.
Moving them to the U.S. mainland would give the radicals another reason to attack the United States.
Moving them to some other prison in another country would probably result in them escaping.
Let the Gitmo prisoners out? It would be like telling Ted Bundy or Jeffrey Dahmer that they can go if they gave their solemn promise to be good from now on.
Charles Barrows,Morrison
This letter was published in the Jan. 18 edition.
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