Guantanamo To Go

Great change is already afoot in the United States as our newly minted President, Barack Obama, ordered the shutdown of Guantanamo Bay, saying the orders reflect "an understanding that dates back to our Founding Fathers: that we are willing to observe core standards of conduct not just when it's easy, but also when it's hard."

You can commend Obama on his action via Amnesty International's prepared message, which also encourages him ensure that an independent commission to investigate abuses committed by the U.S. government in its "war on terror" is set up and to ensure that anyone responsible for human rights violations is held accountable."

Close Guantanamo Bay

Amnesty International has a petition asking that President Obama make it a high priority to announce plans to close Guantanamo Bay soon after taking office.

Go here to sign it.

Guantánamo

Bill Moyers gives us a recap of the excellent, if chilling documentary, Taxi to the Dark Side. I can't imagine how anyone one could watch it or Michael Winterbottom's film The Road to Guantánamo and not conclude that there's been something terribly wrong and immoral going on down in Cuba.

This debate is occurring because of the Supreme Court's ruling that said that we must conduct ourselves under the Common Article III of the Geneva Convention. And that Common Article III says that there will be no outrages upon human dignity. It's very vague. What does that mean, "outrages upon human dignity"?
- George Bush

Watch the Taxi to the Dark Side trailer

Update: Apparently, Discovery has dropped plans to air Taxi, since it's considered so controversial. When the truth is too controversial to show the American public, aren't we in a lot of trouble?

Director Alex Gibney:

In refusing to air the film, Discovery is perpetuating what has become the policy of this government: it is ok to employ torture, just not to show it.

Tear It Down

Amnesty International invites us to Tear Down Guantánamo Bay one pixel at a time. Over 70,000 people have so far. Why should you care?

The detainees at Guantánamo Bay are human beings who haven’t seen their homes or families for years and have faced torture, abuse and ill-treatment in a system from which many have no hope of ever leaving, regardless of their innocence.

The site provides many more details. It's well-known that demonstrably innocent individuals have been imprisoned at Guantánamo. You only have to watch Michael Winterbottom's excellent film Road to Guantánamo to see how they got there.

Shut Down Guantanamo

Via Amnesty International, send a message to the President to shut down Guantanamo.

Also, if you haven't seen it (or if you're wondering what all the huff about Guantanamo is about), check out Michael Winterbottom's excellent amalgam of documentary and film, The Road to Guantanamo. It's out on DVD now.