Sept. 11 response fits a poor pattern

At least a few people object to our nation as it continues to imprison residents of the USA who happen to be Moslem or of Arab descent. In response to the September 11 attacks, we now hold and interrogate in county jails and state and federal prisons over 1,000 persons without benefit of serious criminal charges, without any trial of those charges, and with no access to assistance from an attorney. Indeed, these persons have been allowed little or no contact with family, friends or religious counselors. Authorities don’t even acknowledge the names of persons we have imprisoned. It is for this kind of imprisonment and isolation which the USA has loudly criticized the Soviet Union, Bosnia, Latin American countries and China in recent years.

A recent letter to the editor referred to this imprisonment and interrogation as “an inconvenience” for those imprisoned. I dare say that the writer of that letter would probably lose her or his sanity after a mere two weeks of such inconvenience, much less the two months the victims of this practice have experienced, with no end in sight. At best, jails and prisons are emotionally traumatic for the inmates. At their worst, they can be physically dangerous.

If we in the USA are going to engage in this harsh treatment of persons based upon their religion or ethnic background, let us at least own up to that harsh treatment in the name of national security, self-defense or whatever. We must guard against the self-delusion which causes us to think of imprisonment and interrogation as an “inconvenience.”

Monroe

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Opinion

toon
Editorial cartoons for Wednesday, Feb. 12

A sketchy look at the news of the day.… Continue reading

CNA Nina Prigodich, right, goes through restorative exercises with long term care patient Betty Long, 86, at Nightingale's View Ridge Care Center on Friday, Feb. 10, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Editorial: Boost state Medicaid funding for long-term care

With more in need of skilled nursing and assisted-living services, funding must keep up to retain staff.

Welch: State Democrats’ bill would undermine parental rights

The bill would allow kids as young as 13 to make mental health decisions without notice to parents.

Kristof: Child malnutrition lost in politics over aid cuts

A young journalist describes the scene in Madagascar where a nutritious porridge provides a lifeline.

Comment: Trump sticks with NOAA official who bent to his ego

We haven’t seen the last of Trump’s Sharpie-amended reality and it’s destabilizing effect on scientists.

Dowd: Musk’s ‘Lost Boys’ join Trump’s ‘Mean Girls’ ethic to gut it all

Neither man shows any concern for the damage they threaten against individuals here and abroad.

toon
Editorial cartoons for Tuesday, Feb. 11

A sketchy look at the news of the day.… Continue reading

Sentencing reforms more complicated than column described

I read Todd Welch’s Jan. 29 column. He is certainly entitled to… Continue reading

President Trump running nation like his failed businesses

We’ve seen it before; President Trump will do or say anything to… Continue reading

Intent of Trump’s nominees is to subvert good government

It is clear that Donald Trump has something specific in mind with… Continue reading

Comment: Musk’s USAID shutdown an attack on most vulnerable

Even promises of ‘waivers’ are falling short and allowing medical efforts to dry up, endangering millions.

Comment: Real dangers loom with Trump’s incoherent trade policy

Even if Trump could settle on a justification for his tariffs, the results could leave the country far. weaker.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.