Of all the illegal and unjust acts carried out in the name of the ''war on terror'', the use of the Guantanamo Bay detention centre stands out like a sore thumb. President Barack Obama promised to close it more than four years ago, but hasn't yet. Now he can release 86 prisoners who have been cleared for immediate release, but he hasn't.
Of the 166 detainees now in Guantanamo, only six are facing active charges. There are currently 103 inmates on hunger strike; 30 of whom have been strapped down and force-fed. Over the years there have been 21 children held at Guantanamo. Since the first prisoners arrived there more than 11 years ago, only one has been tried in a civilian court. Under the Bush administration more than 500 detainees were released, but under Mr Obama there have been only 72. It's well past time to make good on his promise and shut down this disgraceful example of injustice.
Richard Bowler
Bangkok
TRAFFICKING A COMPLICATED ISSUE
For four consecutive days Bangkok Post readers followed the story of the young Thai girl from Isan, who was rescued from prostitution in South Korea. The hook is that her own aunt is accused of trafficking her. American television media can't be far behind. There is a marketable story here _ or is there?
We should be proud of the humanitarian work of the Thai police. But there have been subsequent reports stating the aunt who is accused of trafficking the girl denies the charge and says the teen was making up the allegation.
The girl, her family and her community in Isan might all suffer from this experience. Trafficking is a horrible crime, but facts in cases such as this can be misrepresented and result in harm to many people. We should not jump to conclusions in these cases.
John Kane
Bangkok
TARGET SOURCE OF DRUG SCOURGE
I've just read that 400 million baht worth of drugs was seized in Chachoengsao province. It seems like every day there is a news report of a big drug seizure, but aside from catching mules and distributors it doesn't look like it's making much of a dent in the drug trade. I wonder how much more is hitting the streets while the big boys remain free and undisturbed by the law?
Jack Gilead
POLITICALLY CORRECT IS NO FUN
Recent reports from the BBC have made my old English heart bleed.
The reports were about a cheese maker who could be held responsible for injuries in the famous Gloucester cheese hill rolling competition, and how the Bakewell custard pie throwing contest could be threatened by lack of insurance.
Thank goodness this politically correct attitude has not reached Thailand _ not yet, anyway.
I shudder to think of what would happen to Chon Buri's buffalo race and Songkran's water throwing, for instance.
Ron Martin
Sattahip
ONE STEP AT A TIME ON DEVELOPMENT
In a Bangkok Post front page article on Friday it was reported that the Democrat Party plans to ask the Constitution Court to block the government from borrowing two trillion baht for transport projects.
I want to write in support of the Democrats, even though I don't attach myself to any political party.
Two trillion baht is a huge amount of money, and the the repayment period of 50 years with interest of three trillion baht is beyond comprehension.
I would think this would be totally unacceptable to any taxpayer able to grasp its implications.
The government is robbing and ruining our country.
It is wrong for a few self-interested people to make such decisions and let our children face the consequences.
My advice to the government is to withdraw the loan bill and go through normal channels for the projects.
The government should strictly embrace the concept of a sufficiency economy.
Let me conclude by quoting His Majesty's wise words on this subject: ''Economic development must be done step by step. It should begin with the strengthening of our economic foundation, by assuring that the majority of our population has enough to live on. Once reasonable progress has been achieved, we should then embark on the next steps, by pursuing more advanced levels of economic development.''
Dusit Thammaraks
LET'S NOT GET AHEAD OF OURSELVES
As reported in the Bangkok Post yesterday, in the story ''Chalerm vows Thaksin will be home this year'', the deputy prime minister said that he would take personal responsibility if the ousted prime minister was not home a free man before the end of 2013.
He also said emphatically: ''If I fail, you can behead me''.
I've lost count: How many heads has Mr Chalerm lost already, and how many more does he have left?
Vint Chavala
Lamphun
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