One needn't be a history buff to remember a name like Bobby Sands. The political prisoner who starved himself to death in the custody of Margaret Thatcher's British government for terrorist acts, he and a few cohorts went on a hunger strike with these five demands:
- the right not to wear a prison uniform;
- the right not to do prison work;
- the right of free association with other prisoners, and to organise educational and recreational pursuits;
- the right to one visit, one letter and one parcel per week;
- full restoration of remission lost through the protest.
According to Wikipedia, the significance of the hunger strike was the prisoners' aim of being declared political prisoners (or prisoners of war) as opposed to criminals. Thatcher stated at the time of Sands' death, that he was no more than a common criminal and was responsible for taking his own life. That cold response earned her the title of Iron Lady.
While Bobby Sand had his share of detractors, in the end, the guy was revered as a hero. Margaret Thatcher's legacy on the other hand, is one to be reviled by just as many.
From the issues and conditions challenging the United States government's detainees, these "Gitmo Guys" face similar circumstances and have opted for a similar strategy to garner attention. That strategy is working.
Until the United States finds a way to break the political logjam, paving a path toward an open trial, by which these individuals can defend themselves, international sentiment will eventually favor their plight over U.S. security needs.
Our research for this posting turned up far more interesting comparisons between the faceless "Gitmo" Guys", Bobby Sands and people like Nelson Mandela. Mandela too was reported to have resorted to terrorist tactics to resist his oppressors.
Wiki: "Although initially committed to non-violent protest, in association with the South African Communist Party he co-founded the militant Umkhonto we Sizwe (MK) in 1961, leading a bombing campaign against government targets. In 1962 he was arrested, convicted of sabotage and conspiracy to overthrow the government, and sentenced to life imprisonment in the Rivonia Trial." BTW, Margaret Thatcher labeled Mandela a terrorist too. However, like Bobby Sands, enjoyed a history makeover, becoming President of South Africa, is now revered around the world.
We realize this could sound awful to some , but the facts are the facts. After years in custody without benefit of trial, the Guantanamo Bay hunger strikers are gaining stature and followers all over the world. These men could be inspiring wannabe MujÄhids by the thousand by the day.
Unfortunately, Americans will never know for sure until they decide to do what they think they gotta do. If President Obama don't want his legacy tainted anymore than it already will be, he'd be wise to review history a little more closely. Just because the United States is willing to lock people up and throw away the key, don't mean those people will be forgotten.
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