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by Travis Casey

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Guantanamo is not only unconstitutional, it is the epitome of hypocrisy on the part of the United States. America believes that the world should model themselves after her democracy and rights to freedom. She presents herself to the world as the perfect role model for freedom and justice.

How many presidents have tried to export America's idea of democracy? The most recent, and obvious, is of course Iraq. If I had a dollar for every time President Bush used the word democracy, I would make Bill Gates look as if he was on food stamps. The word "democracy" is incredibly overused and overrated. If Guantanamo is allowed to continue to exist, it makes a mockery of America's definition of freedom and democracy.

How can America possibly lock people up on suspicions? This goes against the spirit of the constitution. America so proudly displays the constitution to the rest of the world as the document which guarantees personal freedoms and the right to a fair trail. If the constitution is such a coveted document, which America wants the rest of the world to embrace and adopt, why will she not apply these same principles to the detainees held at Camp X-Ray?

If the U.S. is so certain of the guilt of the detainees, they should be tried in a court of law. Isn't this what America insists that every country in the world should do? Provide everyone with the right to a fair and speedy trail. Her actions go against what she preaches to the rest of the world. Her actions are not just.

It distresses me that the American system of justice should only apply to Americans. If it such a great system, why not apply it to every person on the planet; as President Bush suggests? Why is it only a good system when applied within the 50 U.S. states but it is not applicable to vermin arrested outside of the U.S. If the American system of justice is the model of the modern world, why not apply this system to the perpetrators they apprehend outside of U.S. jurisdiction? Wouldn't that show the world what a great and unbiased democracy she is?

The forefathers wrote this constitution to protect against such "witch hunting". But now it seems, it is only applicable to Americans residing in America. Why is it not good enough to apply to all prisoners in her captivity? The philosophy is exported to the rest of the world, but it is not practiced in the own backyard.

The hypocrisy extends to where they are held. Cuba. A communist country and America does not abide communism. They do not let their constitution reign in a communist country, yet they preach to the communists that they should have freedom and just trails for their people.

This is not what young men die for. If it's good enough for the world to adhere to these values, then America should set the example and lead from the front; and not set values of a double standard society.

Learn more about this author, Travis Casey.

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