*The U

*The U.S. Constitution is not just for Americans-

A recommendation of Jacob Hornberger's article "A Presumption of Guilt

at Guantanamo" & Torture Facts/stats from Human Rights First

by Christine Smith*

This is fundamental to what American stands for: respect of the

individual...of the human rights of all.

To mistreat any human being (within our nation or those held by our

government) is to reject everything good America once stood for. It is

liberty for all that we once cherished and for which we were respected

for worldwide.Regardless of one's guilt or innocence, our nation

stands (presumably) for justice for all, and that requires

implementation of what we know is true: The U.S. Constitution applies

not only to all within our country but also as in this case - those

foreigners being detained by our country. But detainees held by our

government (or by other nations for our government) are not receiving

justice - but torture. Our system of justice isn't perfect, but it is

the best yet developed and it must be there for American citizens as

well as foreigners.

As a nation, we've endured much struggle and bloodshed. But never must

we allow any crisis we face to turn us from the greatest thing we've

achieved: a belief in the immutable rights of the individual. For this

we must always be vigilant, for it is the core which separates us from

those who do permit their anger (fueled by fear) to govern rather than

their rational ability and certainly rather than their inherent moral

compass.

Every American should be outraged at the mistreatment of our fellow

human beings being held by (or for) the U.S. federal government. Their

suffering, at the hands of the U.S. government, is no secret. Thus, it

is up to all Americans to reject this...and rejecting it begins with

greater understanding of what's being done "in our name." Be it physical

torture or psychological torture, many worldwide are suffering - held

indefinitely - because our federal government is allowing the military

(Pentagon) to oversee what happens rather than federal courts. If

sufficient evidence exists for such detainees, they should be charged in

the federal courts -- and if no such evidence exists - they should be

freed.That's due process.

The horrors detainees are subjected to has fortunately become much more

reported now than ever before.

Yet, still it seems to me the majority of Americans are unaware of this

great injustice our government is responsible for. It is imperative that

more Americans learn of the increasing tyranny of this government - and

the unjust cruel treatment of foreigners in their prison camps is a

prime example.Add your voice for those who have none by learning the

facts, sharing them, and opposing all politicians (the majority of our

"representatives" in our federal government) who sanction/condone this

tyranny.

Thus, I wish to highly recommend a recent column written by Jacob

Hornberger entitled, "A Presumption of Guilt at Guantanamo" -

http://www.fff.org/blog/jghblog2008-04-28.asp  In it, Hornberger

examines the mistreatment of the federal government's detainees - locked

away so that the federal government can do whatever it wants to their

prisoners - free from due process of law and the judicial process in our

nation. It's an informative article which I believe many more Americans

would do well to read and share.

Guantanamo and Abu Ghraib are just two examples of such camps; I also

recommend that you visit (and share)

http://www.humanrightsfirst.org/us_law/etn/misc/factsheet.htm  -the

Human Rights Watch page regarding the torture the U.S. government is

responsible for.Read facts about the tens of thousands of those who've

been held by the U.S. government, their deaths, those who have been

subjected to rendition, and other sad statistics on what the government

is doing.

/Christine Smith is a writer, humanitarian and political activist from

Colorado.You may visit her website: http://www.ChristineSmith.us/