Sometimes I wish I didn't care... BUT...

I make the common mistake of underestimating that strange meme called 'Patriotism', especially in the case of USAns. I've been chided on this thread for questioning the rightness of things, as I'm not one of the family, not an American.

However, given that the tentacular reach of Americanism pervades the planet, I feel both the right and the responsibility to say my piece as I choose, on this or any other forum. I have a copy of Martin Luther King's speech at the Riverside Church in NY 4th April 1967 in front of me, and having read it again, I feel moved to quote him.

He quotes, "A time comes when silence is betrayal" and then goes on to say, "The truth of these words is beyond doubt but the mission to which they call us is a most difficult one. Even when pressed by the demands of inner truth, men do not easily assume the task of opposing their government's policy, especially in time of war. Nor does the human spirit move without great difficulty against all the apathy of conformist thought within one's own bosom and in the surrounding world."

There's a lot more, of course, much of it apposite to today, perhaps even more so than 45 years ago, given the prophetic resonance of much of what he says about America, the dream and the lie, the endless wars on other people's soil, while the common good at home is ignored or worse...

Now back to Guantanamo Bay, (in)famous coaling station.   
Remember David Hicks? Hint = think Australia. An interesting case, the first to be tried before a military tribunal.
Here's what's become of his defence counsel...

http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/national/hickss-military-lawyer-
dons-civvies-for-australian-law-firm-20120715-224af.html

CHeers brothers and sisters          dBranno