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YouDebateIt.com -- Should the US detention facility at Guantanamo Bay be shut down?
Topic: Should the US detention facility at Guantanamo Bay be shut down?

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Opinion #1
Debater: SelectSmart.com Staff
Shut it down! Guantanamo Bay is a public relations bonanza for terrorists.
We read about that Republican who attempted to use the Guantanamo Bay prison menu of the day as "proof" that the prisoners there are not being mistreated. What a preposterous argument! Ever read a school lunch menu? It always sounds better than it actually tastes.

All the glazed chicken in the world doesn't make up for our urinating on prisoners and their Korans, making them defecate on themselves, taking away their clothes and the other Rumsfeld approved methods of humiliating detainees.

No doubt, there are bad guys down there. But that doesn't give us the right to sink to their level. None on these prisoners have been convicted of any crimes. So any punishment and certainly mistreatment is inappropriate. Some of these guys probably deserve of punishment, maybe even the ultimate punishment. But in America (or at least in the past), there is a presumption of innocence until and if they are found guilty. Then and only then, should punishment be meted out.
Supporting URL[s]:
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Opinion #2
Debater: Tim
Individual Sacrifices are Necessary for a Functional Society
I certainly agree with Staff's assertion that punishment and mistreatment of persons not convicted of any crime is abhorrent - indeed, the practice of tortureought to be permanently abolished by way of constitutional amendment.

However, to shut down Gitmo is short-sighted, I think, in light of the broader goals of the war on terror. While a verb certainly cannot be defeated, it should be the goals of all civilized societies to minimize barbaric behavior; a balance must be found between detaining persons deemed likely to commit attacks on civilization and ensuring appropriate civil liberties for all persons.

Just as occurs in our penal system with each wrongly convicted imprisoned (or executed) person, there will doubtless be instances of innocent persons prosecuted. Each tale will be heart-wrenching and grossly unfair, but, fair or not, the price for the aforementioned balance must be paid by someone. We can only do our best to minimize these tragic and unforgivable mistakes.
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