Reservations, Concentration, Internment, Detention Camps: Always Illegal? Always Immoral?

Today, and for the foreseeable future, Guantanamo Bay Detention Camp remains open. The camp currently holds over two hundred prisoners that have never been convicted of a crime. These men are being held against their will, against their country's desires, and against every law. The Bush Administration started this camp in the name of fighting terrorism but that has been nothing but a farce. Lawrence Wilkerson, a member of George W. Bush's Cabinet as the Secretary of States Chief of Staff, spoke out vehemently about the illegal actions regarding Guantanamo. He states that Bush and his staff have claimed knowledge that most of the inmates are innocent and not involved with any type of crime, let alone terrorism.

Prisoners have claimed to be tortured daily by sensory deprivation, stress positions, and other heinous forms of punishment. Their hunger strikes forcibly stopped by shoving tubes up their noses and down their throats, their requests for trial denied, and they are emasculated and religiously persecuted. All of this is being done because our government created a loophole through which it does not need to follow the law nor be accountable to it. Since Guantanamo technically is not on U.S. land it does not need to abide by the Constitution. Further, the Bush Administration just decided that these prisoners, because of their status as "extraordinarily dangerous", were not entitled to protection under the Geneva Conventions. Thankfully that has been overturned.

When America did it to the Native Americans with Reservations, it was wrong. When Hitler did it to the Jewish People with Concentration Camps, it was wrong. When America did it to Japanese Americans with Internment Camps, it was wrong. When America is doing it now to Muslims and Arabs with Guantanamo Bay Detention Camp, it is wrong. The prejudice and persecution of a people because of fear has been governing humanity for far too long. How long do we ignore it? When will we end it?

In the Weed? Or Over It?

On Monday November 2, 2015, David Acosta published a blog post on his blog Dave the Rep. entitled, Legalize the Use of Recreational Marijuana!. Acosta postulates that the legalization of marijuana for recreational purposes will benefit the national economy, incarceration rates, and the quality of life. Acosta makes a quality argument utilizing logic and emotion to make his case.

His first point is made in stating that many of the presidential candidates have participated in recreational marijuana use and that they possess no issue with this activity. Acosta's language choice, however, indicates that his support of this movement is conditional upon the candidates' support, which doesn't seem to be his truth. He goes on to emphasize the beneficial effect legalizing marijuana would have on the economy by creating extra money through an undermining of organizations. Does he mean crime organizations? Acosta's argument may have been strengthened by including evidence from Colorado's success in legalization or in the creation of jobs nationwide. Next he proposes that by removing the criminal aspect of recreational marijuana use incarceration rates will drop, reducing tax spending, thus improving the economy. This portion of his argument is very strong. Acosta's final appeal is an emotional one, pointing out the increase in quality of life of the terminally ill and people in pain through marijuana intake. Attuning to compassion through an ease of suffering viewpoint is an incredibly smart and solid argument.

David Acosta has a few word choices that cause confusion but creates a well formulated and strong argument for the legalization of recreational marijuana.