Uncle Sam: Git out of Gitmo

Most folks know the US controls a naval base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, commonly know as Gitmo. They also know we've used a detention camp there to house alleged terrorists scooped up in America's berserk war of conquest in the Middle East following 911. We've housed 780 detainees there, all without charges or trial. The majority were simply handed over to the US by Afghan allies for a $5,000 bounty. Eight have died, of which six were suicides. Most suffered some form of deprivation including enhanced interrogation (a.k.a. torture), forced feeding, solitary confinement, indefinite and illegal detention; all in violation of international law. Obama announced the closure of our Gitmo Gulag in week one of his administration but Congress said 'Nyet'. Trump has doubled down on his bleeding heart predecessor saying "Load it up with some bad dudes". Just 40 lost souls remain in a facility  falling apart from lack of funding to maintain, living out the real like saga of Kafka's Joseph K.

But most likely don't know the entire naval base of 46 square miles on Cuba's eastern coast represents a crime of conquest against the people of Cuba. When the US booted Spain out of Cuba in the Spanish American War of 1898, we used Guantanamo Bay to land the Marines and support the invasion. The US ruled Cuba for four years before allowing them their freedom in 1902 with seven conditions, one of which was Cuba had to lease the US the naval station there forever. Cuban presidents in bed with US business, both legal and criminal, loved the arrangement. Castro didn't, demanding his land back; even tearing up the $4,085 check we send Cuba yearly. Wouldn't any tenant love such power over their landlord?

January 11 marks the 17th anniversary of our ghoulish gulag in Gitmo. But March 2 will mark the 118th anniversary of America's land grab of Gitmo when setting Cuba somewhat free. That's now illegal in international law which America routinely thumbs it nose at. First, we must free the remaining hapless souls languishing in the shame of America. Then its time for Uncle Sam to do the right thing and Git out of Gitmo.