Oh Dennis

Here’s a quick thought: Dennis Rodman was in North Korea the other day helping the little despot Kim Jong Un celebrate his birthday. A reporter from CNN asked Rodman about American Kenneth Bae being held in prison by North Korea for no reason. And Rodman gave a stupid, drunken answer to support the repressive regimes blatant human rights abuse of Mr. Bae (Rodman has since apologized).

            No doubt North Korea is one of the worst nations in the world when it comes to human rights abuse. But I wonder, is America living in a “glass house”?

            The United States continues to operate Guantanamo Bay military prison in Cuba in violation of International human rights protocols. Over 400 men are held in isolation (again a violation of human rights accords) without charges ever having been brought against them (some have been held for over twelve years).

            A court-appointed JAG defense attorney told CBS, “Every morning we raise the flag and play the Star Spangled Banner, but the constitution isn’t allowed at Gitmo.”

            Hearings are held in secret. Attorney conferences with clients are listened in on. And prisoners are denied basic constitutional rights. But that’s ok, because if America doesn’t violate its own principles, the terrorists win. Wait a minute, that doesn’t make any sense. Precisely.

            Just as the petty tyrant Kim Jong Un should heed the call for Kenneth Bae’s release, so too must America with Guantanimo Bay. Or, we’re no better than him.