Weekend in the Tropics

Fifteen friends and I traveled to the tropics this past weekend on last-minute notice. We flew from the Washington, D.C. area to a remote island in the Caribbean. While not all of the “suites” had air-conditioning, the accommodations had a fresh newness about them and some of the rooms enjoyed waterfront views.

“Guests” here spend time relaxing in their rooms, talking, playing outside on the soccer and volleyball courts or playing ping-pong. The choice of leisure activities is almost endless.

The “wait staff” is very professional, easily reached, and approachable. The food selection is varied – a menu consisting of such delicacies as marinated chicken with orange sauce, steamed vegetables, rice pilaf, rolls and butter, and beverages. No one leaves the table hungry. In fact, “guests” reportedly gain over five pounds before they leave this place!

The “rooms” are well-kept. There are no Gideon bibles in the night stand drawers, but each has a Koran, which the “hired help” is not permitted to touch with rare exceptions, when they must wear gloves.

Of course, what I am describing is the Guantanamo Bay Naval Base in Cuba – the prison where over five hundred enemy combatants are held in U.S. custody for their involvement in terrorist plots or acts against Americans.

Contrary to the incessant myths, detainees at Gitmo are not mistreated. No one has died here but rather… lives have been saved – most importantly, American lives.

The enemy combatants receive four scheduled medical visits per month – probably more than most Americans get in a year. Prior to their arrival, many of these prisoners had never even seen a dentist. But here at Guantanamo, they have access to first-class medical facilities and an operating room – comparable to those in the United States. The equipment is modern and the staff is able – capable of performing the spectrum of procedures and treating various diseases. In the past few years alone, doctors have conducted 128 surgeries. And all of this medical attention is free – free to the enemy combatants – because American taxpayers foot the bill.

At least twelve of the detainees who were released have been recaptured in battle. Ironically, one of whom still had the U.S.-made prosthesis leg he had received while a “guest” at Guantanamo. For those prisoners who require them, there are four handicapped cells. And the new cells meet the requirements of the American Correctional Association (ACA).

Prisoners at Gitmo are bestowed every consideration in their practice of religion. Every cell and common area has arrows – arrows that point to Mecca. The complex also includes special restroom facilities and showers in compliance with the Muslim faith.

Further, Guantanamo Bay officials are exceptionally respectful of prisoners’ privacy. Detainees can retain their own attorneys – 150 prisoners have their own lawyer. As for confidentiality, guards are not permitted to read correspondence between lawyers and prisoners.

My Congressional colleagues and I had the opportunity to observe several prisoner interrogations. Some were more cooperative than others. Yet, the personnel who conducted the questioning were measured – professional, courteous, and humane. There was no abuse of any kind – no yelling, no pushing, no shooting, no barking dogs.

I eagerly participated in this visit to the prison because I wanted to witness first-hand the conditions at Guantanamo. Having been a felony court judge in Houston, Texas for over 22 years prior to entering Congress, I have seen many prisons and penitentiaries including some in lands far away like China and the former Soviet Union. This is no gulag or concentration camp.

The outlaws that we are detaining at Guantanamo hate us. They want nothing more than to kill Americans. This weekend, I was pleased to see for myself the situation and we all know that the allegations of atrocity and abuse at Guantanamo are simply unfounded.

While America takes the high road on treatment of prisoners, we can never expect the same from the terrorists who have made it their mission to harm us at every turn.