The recent mutiny at the terrorist lockup at Guant疣amo Bay is cited by some as another proof of the allegedly unbearable conditions that the detainees are forced to endure. But a careful look at the circumstances reveal just the opposite. And they also indicate something very worrying about ourselves.

The rebellion broke out in Camp Four which is described as 'a medium security, communal—living unit for the most compliant prisoners.' One of the inmates there appeared to be on the point of hanging himself, but when the guards rushed in they were in for a surprise:

The detainees had made the floor slippery with faeces, urine and soapy water and attacked 10 members of Guantanamo's quick—reaction force with fan blades, pieces of metal and broken light fixtures. 'For several minutes, the detainees appeared to have the upper hand, knocking some of the soldiers to the ground,' said Army Col. Michael Bumgarner, a camp official. 'Frankly we were losing the fight at that point,' Bumgarner said.

Here we have some of the world's worst cutthroats — allowed to live in a communal style arrangement — who beat up on their guards with apparently little fear of the consequences.

Liberals are right — Guantanamo is an outrage. It is an outrage of subverted common sense and an almost suicidal stupidity on our part. This is what we get for the Korans, prayer rugs, TV sets, libraries and the three course meals supplied to these blackguards at the taxpayer's expense. Most of these people are hardened brutes incapable of any degree of gratitude or decency. They consider goodwill a weakness and despise those who seek to bestow it.

This incident is emblematic of much that is wrong with our attitude in the War on Terror — our inane shyness to handle this ruthless enemy in the way he should and must be handled. An incident like this is also a warning. If we do not wake up and change our ways, we will pay dearly in the end.

Vasko Kohlmayer   5 23 06