Because You Never Asked

(6/06)

     Although, as explained previously (see essay “No Need To Escape America”), the failure of the 2^nd Bush Oil War has minimized the difference between the more negative press it has received in Europe and its correspondent press coverage in America, this writer still considers it a worthwhile exercise to point these differences out. For the average American, the repulsive disdain shown by the vast majority of foreigners for their country’s actions, is still somewhat difficult to grasp. Being the “good guy” is always a part of any nation’s indoctrination process, but when a country such as the United States has reaped the benefits of so much of the contemporary idea of “success”, the tendency to believe in your own “righteousness” can be overly reinforced. For an American, regardless of the foolishness or mistakes made by their government, it is difficult to conceive that their country, home of the free, land of the etcetera, is now wearing a perfectly fitting,10 gallon black hat in the world.

     That’s right, the “bad guys”.

     In order to give the average American a clearer idea of this, this essay will consist of 2 parts: the first part will be a brief dissertation of an incident I witnessed while watching a  World Cup soccer match at the hotel I hang out at. The second will be a translation of an article I read in the local paper dealing with the recent suicides in the infamous Guantanamo prison.

     Of all the great soccer playing nationalities, no group is more fun to watch a match with than the Italians. Their intense, yet light hearted passion for their team; their beautiful, lyrical language; their basic good looks, sexiness, and all around manifestation of “la dolce vita”, always make an Italian World Cup match a memorable experience.

     So there I was, watching a match with about 20 people, mostly Italians. A good time was being had by all. When the halftime break arrived, the good guys were winning and all was right with the world. A languid, relaxed atmosphere took over the room; idle chatter, bathroom breaks, a trip to the bar.

     Spanish TV has a unique way of dealing with halftimes of any kind. The first 10 minutes will be devoted to commercials, followed by a 5 to10 minute satirical look at the news, something like John Stewart’s Daily Show. But it is not a spin off or copy. For one thing, it is quite a bit older than the Daily Show, but even more telling is that it uses some remarkably lifelike, hilarious puppets to present the “news” and its protagonists. (Take my word for it, it’s terrific.)

     Most of the people in the room that night were not paying much attention to it. Those not either from Spain nor intimately familiar with the country’s daily socio-political life, would not understand many of the jokes being made. Even more relevant for the predominantly Italian crowd was the fact that it was being performed in a foreign language.

     And then a peculiar thing happened. A segment of the show with George and Conde appeared on the screen. The superficial banter came to an abrupt halt, creating a silence that could be compared to a forest when the presence of a dangerous predator is perceived. What had previously been a room whose attention was scattered in many directions, now found its focus on the TV screen. With the exception of one barely audible groan of disapproval, an ominous hush took over the environment. It was as if the police had unexpectedly entered the room, making everyone feel uncomfortable. A minute later, George and Conde disappeared and life in the room slowly returned to normal.

     For the one clandestine Yanqui “embedded” in the room, it was a poignant moment.

----------------------------------------

     The rest of this essay will be devoted to a piece written by one Juan Jose Millas concerning the recent suicides in the Guantanamo prison. Millas is a well known syndicated columnist who’s work appears throughout Spain. His forte is satirical humor and he could be considered a Spanish relative of an Art Buchwald, or, perhaps even more so, to what Russell Baker used to do in the New York Times. From what I’ve read in Spain of the American government’s explanation for these suicides, I have no doubt that satirical hi-jinks has abounded in the U.S. as well, but I think it would be a helpful exercise for Americans to read a Spanish take on all this. I’m not sure as to the legality of what will follow, but I’ll plow forward with a clear conscience for 2 reasons: 1) having read Millas for years, I have no doubt he’d approve, and 2) there are higher callings in this life than the protection of some ludicrous concept of ownership in the global economy. I’m trying to save the human race, goddamit, give me a break!

     OK, here it is:

     “The other day, just to piss off Bush, 3 prisoners in the Guantanamo prison committed suicide. The American authorities realized right away that they were dealing with a terrorist act. Harry Harris, the director of the renowned prison, put it like this: ’the suicides were not an act of desperation. They were an act of war.’ For those with any doubts, he added that the deaths were clearly planned to damage the interests of the United States. It’s amazing what these people can do to damage the world, even when they are prisoners. The evil of these people is such, that 18 prisoners are now on a hunger strike, and we all know how much the free world grieves for hunger. Either they commit suicide or they don’t eat, that’s what we’re looking at here. What can you do with these people?

     The terrorists always take advantage of democratic countries. The cadavers of the 3 prisoners were treated with the maximum respect to their cultures. Not that they deserved it, but that’s who we are, yes sir. Bush has ordered that there be no more suicides. We don’t know how to avoid this, but the tortures practiced in Abu Grahib were obviously very effective. You can look it up; in that prison nobody committed suicide. We killed them ourselves, as it should be. The problem with Guantanamo is that they’ve been treated too well. They have cells with all the light in the world (the enemies of liberty call them cages), no electric shocks are used, nobody is sodomized, nor is anyone frightened by police dogs. The only torture used in Guantanamo is called ’sensorial deprivation’, where one is confused to such an extent, you end up not knowing who you are, where you came from, or where you might be going. C’mon, that happens to everyone! It’s a philosophical problem.

     It has always been said that suicide tends to be more prevalent in wealthier societies. And that is what is happening in Guantanamo, where the prisoners live in a country club atmosphere. So what if the prison is illegal, if they don’t know what they are accused of, nor if they have to eat bread and water in their cages. It’s not enough. It’s time to get tough. If not, they will keep committing suicide and that will be the end of us.”