Apparently, despair is now an act of war

**Banquo's Ghost** · 06-11-2006, 09:25

Three inmates of Guantanamo have committed suicide. But the eejit in charge considers this an 'act of war'.

Link

"I believe this was not an act of desperation, but an act of warfare waged against us." Rear Adm Harry Harris, Camp commander.

So they somehow scored a victory? What planet does this man come from? Is he so infected by propaganda that he cannot see a human tragedy?

None of these men have been charged with a crime, given legal representation, or know when and if they will be released - or even brought to a fair trial. Which one of you can say they would stand up to such a plight without despair? But if they escape the only way they have, they are suddenly terrorists carrying out acts of war?

Guantanamo is a stain on the soul of America. The fact that the American people passively allow it to exist is yet another tragedy.

**Geoffrey S** · 06-11-2006, 10:40

Allowing such a thing as Guantanamo to exist doesn't exactly promote confidence in the US; it's very tempting to think if they're truly dangerous, prosecute them and then stick them there. At least remove the ambiguity such a prison presents.

As for warfare. It may be an overstatement, but the fact that they committed suicide nearly simultaneously implies a coordinated action. And if their goal was discrediting the prison even more their goal was achieved, witness for instance this topic.

**Duke of Gloucester** · 06-11-2006, 11:05

And if their goal was discrediting the prison even more their goal was achieved, witness for instance this topic.

True. Of course, this would be a political act, not an act of war.

**Avicenna** · 06-11-2006, 12:27

Originally Posted by BBC News

"They have no regard for life, either ours or their own. I believe this was not an act of desperation, but an act of asymmetrical warfare waged against us."

Okay, does he want to world to think he has serious problems or something? So now, suicide when illegally detained is now an act of war? Refusing to co-operate with someone who detains you for a long time, perhaps even for life, is now a crime against the country that detains you? So, are they saying the Jews who escaped from the Concentration Camps or Russians who escaped from Gulags are now war-waging criminals because they disobey? WHAT?!

**-Silent-Pariya** · 06-11-2006, 12:48

They keep prisoners in these secret camps under de facto effective control.

The U.N. cries for these places to be shut down, the people do the same.

What do they do?

They avoid the situation as much as possible and give half ass answers and half ass actions.

Anyone who argues with the government these days is labeled a

...

**Marcellus** · 06-11-2006, 13:42

I believe this was not an act of desperation, but an act of warfare waged against us.

I've heard some bizarre things, but this is perhaps the most bizarre thing I've ever heard. Can this person not conceive that people who have been imprisoned for years without even knowing what they are accused of, let alone having a fair trial, without much hope of ever getting out, might just be driven to take their own lives out of despair?

**Banquo's Ghost** · 06-11-2006, 11:47

Originally Posted by Geoffrey S

As for warfare. It may be an overstatement, but the fact that they committed suicide nearly simultaneously implies a coordinated action. And if their goal was discrediting the prison even more their goal was achieved, witness for instance this topic.

They may have found a window of opportunity together - the regime there makes it very difficult to commit suicide, as I understand.

And is it actually possible to discredit that prison any more?

Originally Posted by Duke of Gloucester

True. Of course, this would be a political act, not an act of war.

Exactly.