February 13, 2009
News
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More News First major order issued by newly-inaugurated President Prison camp was source of controversy, speculation for nearlytheadirection decade They look down upon the reported acts of torture and in which it has gone since it’s opening is Nestled deep on the southeast end of Cuba among steep hills and diverse forms of wildlife is a large harbor commonly known as Guantanamo Bay. Controlled by the United States since 1903, the prison camp housed at Jordyn L. Boyles Guantanamo has been the News Editor source of controversy and speculation for nearly a decade. But not anymore. In an executive order issued Jan. 22, 2009, President Obama signed legislation that will close the prison camp and either release or try all detainees still being held there. This is the first major order signed by the newly-inaugurated president, and the proceedings for closing the camp are expected to take up to one year. The Guantanamo Bay Detention Camp, also known as Gitmo, began housing suspected terrorists in early 2002. Most of these detainees came from Afghanistan and Iraq. Guantanamo Bay operates as a U.S. Naval Base and is run by U.S. soldiers and personnel. All throughout its history, prisoners of Guantanamo have accused the soldiers who work there of implementing cruel and unnecessary torture as a means of interrogation. Such accusations include those of beatings, sleep deprivation, starvation, being chained up in uncomfortable and often contorted positions, and even sexual abuse. In addition to these harsh interrogation techniques, the soldiers have also been accused of abusing the prisoners’ religion, supposedly going as far as to deface the Qu’ran, the Muslim Bible. There have been four documented cases of suicide, and several hundreds more attempts. Many human rights organizations have criticized these supposed actions at Guantanamo.
consider them unnecessary and inhumane. Groups such as Amnesty International and the Saudi Human Rights Association go as far as to blame the U.S. for the suicides, claiming that were the conditions not so harsh, the prisoners wouldn’t have been forced into
High School are also divided on the debate as to whether or not torture as a form of interrogation is acceptable. “If we do know for sure that certain prisoners had knowledge [of terrorist activity], it should be obtained by any means necessary,” says
Detainees photographed in the exercise yard of Camp 4, one of the security facilities at Guantanamo Bay prison camp making such decisions as to end their lives. Supporters of these interrogation techniques believe that they are fully acceptable, mostly in part because these techniques do not go against those policies set forth by the Third Geneva Convention, which state that those protections only apply to “uniformed soldiers or guerrillas who wear distinctive insignia, bear arms openly, and abide by the rules of war.” Students and staff at Grant Community
www.defense.gov
senior Tyler Igyarto. “If American citizens are being threatened, we should gather information to protect them by any means that have adequate justification.” Senior Geordie McKenzie agrees, maintaining that “the [prisoners] planned or assisted with an inhumane act claiming thousands of lives. Any measures should be taken to attain necessary information.” Others believe that, while the original purpose for Guantanamo was not completely unjust,
Reckless Driving, continued from page 1 Mr. Kibitlewski, driver education teacher, believes that it is not only teenagers that need to be more careful when on the road. “All drivers need to do a better job of driving with more caution in all types of poor weather,” says Kibitlewski. Even with all the ideas of teens not being smart on the road, there are steps that can be taken to make the roads a safer place for everyone. “[Don’t] just think about your driving, but watch how others are driving around you,” says Van Alstine. “There have been a number of times I have avoided accidents with others because I could see how they were out of control and just avoid it altogether.” The drivers themselves need to constantly pay attention to all aspects on the road when the weather is rough. “Concentration would be a logical solution,” says Miller. “Plowing Devastating accidents such as this can happen to anyone who doesn’t pay attention on the road. and salt helps, but focus and common sense does wonders during harsh weather.” Weather, as well as many other effect on the driver, but on his/her family, to be taken when the streets become hidden factors, will continue to affect the performance friends, and acquaintances as well. The rules of death traps by the weather. The decisions of people driving. While many have been able the road need to be constantly followed, even made on the road, although sometimes small, to avoid harm, the luck is not likely to last if if it means ignoring an arrived text message or will always have a direct consequence with the habits do not change. Taking unnecessary risks a simple distraction. Special care as well needs path that a person’s life takes. will not only leave a lasting, and damaging
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not the desired one. “I believe that Guantanamo Bay is serving the original purpose for the U.S. Government,” says Ms. Savage, Social Studies teacher. “However, I feel that certain acts carried out by guards/officials have gone too far,” she says. “As of late, there have been negative news stories about the treatment of the prisoners and I do not feel that these actions were good for our national image.” In the seven years that it has been open, Guantanamo has housed around 780 prisoners. More than half of them have been released, and 245 detainees currently remain. Only a small percentage of these prisoners will be put on trial, and the rest will be released. Going home might not be as easy as it sounds, however. For most of these soon-to-bereleased prisoners, home is a place of the past that they cannot hope to return to. In the past, the governments of these countries have refused to work with the United States on granting re-entry for their citizens. The Obama administration, however, is hopeful that, now that America is under the direction of a new leader, further negotiations can be pursued. Relocating those prisoners who will be put on trial will also pose a challenge for the Obama administration, and it is for this reason that the camp won’t be closed right away. Whether it takes a day or a year or ten years, many can agree that the order to close Guantanamo is a step in the direction of a new America. “The past eight years have been difficult for Americans,” says Savage. “I think President Obama wants to take the nation in a new direction and the original purpose of the prison may not be in his plans. Obama has not been happy with counter terrorism action and I think he wants to put into place new counter terrorism policies that will be more effective.”
Battle of the Bands, continued from page 1 “We have definitely matured as friends and musicians,” he says. “The band’s chemistry has been the best that it has ever been and we’ve experienced so much. We plan on looking back on this as we do every year to say ‘What were we thinking?’ and ‘Man, we look like girls.’” Senior John Houston, bassist of ‘Nothing Left’, seems to hold the same opinion. “I think this year will be better than the others because we have improved our sound and the best line up so far. Also there will be a lot more diversity this year.” The bands definitely will provide a sense of diversity that wasn’t really evident in previous years. Sophomore LeeRoy Sprosty, lead guitarist of ‘Children of Dismay’, looks forward to this year’s battle. “This year will be more fun for everyone. Everyone competing seems to be laid back and enjoys what they are doing. We [are] all playing for the same reasons: to share our music and have fun.” As far as winning the cash prize at Battle of the Bands this year, all bands seem to share the common opinion that winning isn’t everything. Biggs says, “Winning Battle of the Bands would mean a lot to the band. But to me, I’m getting up there to do one thing, and that is to play every song with the same passion as when we wrote them. That is all that will ever matter to me.” Freshman Derek Hanson, drummer of ‘They Hide in Shadows’, is participating in Battle of the Bands for the first time this year, but doesn’t seem to let the idea of winning get the best of him. “Winning? It’s not all about winning, it’s about just going out there, having fun, and jamming and if it comes along the way, it’s just a perk.” Feb. 18 at 7 p.m. come out and support your friends at this year’s Battle of the Bands. There is a $5 cover charge but Battle of the Bands never ceases to provide a night of fun and great music every year. And in the words of senior Cody Carsella, vocalist and drummer in ‘Kablamo!’, “It’s on like Donkey Kong.” All of those in attendance won’t be disappointed.