Defending Guantanamo Bay Prisoners

[@TheExpertBotKiller]

i love how this man isnt doing this for money or fame. he just wants to help others. not many people are like this.

[@Hakugard]

I've met Smith in person. He's a really nice guy once you get past the rather direct way he talks.

[@bakagenius]

I love how half the people who are still in Guantanamo are actually supposed to be released. Keeping innocent people in a prison where you torture them and treat them poorly is unacceptable, and it's the type of thing that the U.S. would definitely complain about and maybe even invade a country over. The irony.

[@fredrikalvsaker2879]

People like Clive Smith are the ones I truly look up to. He's doing something very good and much needed to society - defending those who're being frowned upon by the ignorant. The atrocities committed in military prisons driven by superior countries (foremost the US) are at the brink of being revealed completely to the public. Torture and dishonor of innocent or even guilty human beings must stop.

[@Gufberg]

The guy being interviewed seems incredibly compassionate and humorous. Its worth aspiring to be that sort of person.

[@DebtBuysFreedumb]

Thank you clive for helping these people under not only military detention's but also the thumb private military firms now running amok in these places. These are not actions people use to prevent wars and to keep freedom these are actions that make wars and raise the defense of the insane military budgets. Not to mention there using autonomous death machine's to kill people! And people think Al Ciada is bad.

[@gotti786]

“If you're not careful, the newspapers will have you hating the people who are being oppressed, and loving the people who are doing the oppressing.” ― Malcolm X

[@gotti786]

Your downfall is not far son every arrogant empire has it's downfall.

[@QtpieXD]

Great Piece! Way to go Vice! It's really nice to see that you're still focusing on real, hot-button issues.

[@BlueDeeVo]

You're wrong on all three of those things. There are no federal laws in the US establishing the legality of any of those.

[@teamchb3143]

As an American, I fully support in turning those countries that are against us into a parking lot...problem solved...

[@lilljacob]

How about turning America into a big parking lot. Problem solved

[@lyo45]

Chris Nata give me a nuclear launch code an the key ill gladly turn the key ;)

[@teamchb3143]

Sounds good..I like the way you think...what ppl need to realize is there are countries that are trying to attack us and yes, the Muslims are sponsoring this....Islam is not a peaceful religion,.

[@lilljacob]

I understand well why they hate you guys....

[@lilljacob]

But dont get me wrong.. I hate what they are doing and can't quite understand how blowing upp innocent people will help....

[@markstone7194]

There is nothing scarier than self-righteous Americans unapologetically acting to "protect" themselves.

[@hanson666999]

Thanks Vice for shining a light on these sort of issues.

[@TheHangedMan86]

Remember when torture and unlawful imprisonment were bad things?

[@TheBadAssNcrRanger]

You're not getting it. 1 many people at Guantanamo bay are innocent. 2 keeping people at places like Guantanamo makes fuels terrorists hate. 3. torture is never the answer.

[@youdontunderstand]

This reminds me of that Mos Def clip about the hunger strike force feeding method. I think I was traumatized for life...

[@firelizard2]

You're just finding out now that Vice leans left? How did you get here?

[@dksouthpawatx]

I wonder if they meant more restricted than secret since its not in the US and very few are allowed to go there.

[@Prayfordeathx]

From what i read they cant do anything for the ones that haven't been cleared are not allowed on US soil because of that ear mark on the spending bill saying no money cant be spent of any member at Guantanamo. "The House voted to make it harder to shifting inmates, adding a restriction to the National Defense Authorization Act of 2014 that bars any of the roughly 56 prisoners who have been cleared by military intelligence officials to be sent to Yemen from being transferred there for one year."

[@jjhollier]

Why are you blaming Obama? He's speaking out to the entire nation and giving recognition to the hunger strike. REPUBLICANS are blocking GITMO from closing! Wake the fuck up!

[@PH5221]

Obama is a puppet; and a dick, at that.

[@jjhollier]

Pro Era doesn't make my comment any less right.

[@djrlathrop111]

Oh yeah, sure he can point out a hunger strike. What are the guards supposed to do, let them continue on their strike and starve to death? Besides, if they got all skinny and started to die, the same people here would be criticizing the fact that they let them die. This stuff happens. Obama saw a chance to capitalize on it for some public opinion points right there, and people like you bought it. You think Republicans are blocking this? Well Obama could just sign an executive order and close the prison. He signs them pretty often as it is. Either way, the Democrats have the White House, the Senate, and the Supreme Court. But go ahead, blame Republicans for everything. That seems to be the pattern for Liberals to explain how their policies fail, from Detroit to Guantanamo to Benghazi. Obama doesn't have a problem with the drone strikes. If he did we wouldn't be seeing any. After all, he's the president: commander-in-chief of the US armed forces. You think they should get trials? That's hard to carry out, because of war and all. You can't give traditional POW's trials, since they are at war and aren't civilians. Terrorism and Insurgency only complicates this further, since their favorite thing to do is act like civilians. If Obama wanted for them to have trials, they'd have to be military, but he doesn't so they don't.

[@jjhollier]

Daniel L. What a long useless rant I didn't blame republicans for everything wtf. Nothing you said changes the fact that recent legislation to close Guantanamo was overwhelmingly blocked by republicans. Who cares about the trial we can house the inmates here either way. One politicians shifty choice doesn't justify another so I don't know why drone strikes justify republicans keeping Gitmo. Pull your head out of your ass and give credit where credit is due.

[@PH5221]

Daniel L. I don't think you understand. The problem isn't that they're force feeding them. If they left the tubes in, there would be no problem, it's the fact that they intentionally remove the tubes after every feeding to cause as much pain and suffering as possible.

[@UnitedBmxHD]

Periods please.

[@connororeilly2767]

You should have included who said that as for me the fact he was german has an even stronger impact.

[@J_Taylor_]

How do our Politicians go to sleep at night?

[@hankf666]

excellent piece

[@joe9alvarado1]

Fighting terrorism with terror. The irony

[@LexTNeville]

So, how would we endeavour to end unjust punishment?

[@growsomedank]

hahah you think that's heartbreaking? he just stands there with a blank face and watches her get kicked out

[@motorcycleboy124]

Yes, but we have those as well, and there is also no reason why either of those countries would want to attack us.

[@partyprash2000]

guy at the start looks like an old Louis Theroux :)

[@matdeltaco]

Then explain why a thirty year old skyscraper that was built 1,368 ft in the air would need construction work on it. huh yeah thats right. CIA did it.

[@TheFatjoe248]

Force feeding doesn't count as food mate

[@RGxFirecrotch]

i like how he talks about 9/11 like he actual thinks he know how it feels......

[@threadproski3375]

i'd use it only for my own country and for allied nations. But u have to realize that invading Iraq, raping people in front of their families, killing civilians, opening prisons just to commit horrific acts of torture, and all without them asking for your help ever isn't exactly defending them.

[@zebramelon5236]

Well, first off, I don't think 15 years was "long ago". The UK still commits war-crimes and such in areas like the middle-east. Every country does bad things. I'm not defending the U.S. I'm a citizen but that doesn't mean I am an idiot. I still believe the U.S has done terrible things, but you need to realize that it is not the only country doing so. It seems like in school, we are not taught so much about our country's mistakes, but about other country's mistakes and war-crimes.

[@KhalidAli-wm3rv]

The worse problem is, Most of those in Guantanamo, they are innocent ppl, I my self know a news reporter from my country, a very fine news reporter, have been detained in Guantanamo, He have been cought while he was doing his job, The problem most of those they are Innocent. and Look what they are suffering from. That not talking about the possibility of 11/9 was Inside job. so what you are doing now ? making religious conflict ? planting hatred ? I wouldn't felt that much sorry honestly for a one who did the 11/9 if it have been proved that they did. cuz they killed innocent ppl. they deserves death in my opinion. but is those ppl in Guantanamo did that ? I bet static say more than 90% of all those who have been in Guantanamo have nothing to do with terrorism. Iam Muslim and Im proud to be Muslim, I know my religion to well, for someone else to tell me how or what is my religion. Thump up please to make everyone read this.

[@dirtybunny987]

Is USA able to get away with this because it isnt happening on US soil? I dont understand how our government can do these things but when OTHER countries abuse human rights we are at their necks. -_-

[@kippensaus20]

because the u.s can and will invade your country l

[@Pissoff56]

because the US are hypocritical scumbag bullies

[@CCSabbach]

South American government coups, Cuba embargo, War on terrorism, and political prisons among many other examples... The U.S. treads on this world like it owns it, at the expense of others. When will we ever see this stop? Can't we just see that we are all human regardless of culture and nationality. These are arbitrary distinctions. Imagine it as if we are one entity; one being who lives its life over and over again in a different body under a different culture in different circumstances. We might as well be, we all comprise of virtually the same materials, the same matter, we are all just people and should learn to care about our communities just the same.

[@Pwn3dbyth3n00b]

Meh, "By 2010 Guantanamo Bay will be closed" "If you like your doctor you can keep your doctor" Tomato Tomato Obama is a lair

[@Cabuws]

Obama is a liar not a lair.

[@estoniaman]

Oh, ma'..where is Tony Blair?

[@TheGreatUtopiaCat]

that expression really doesn't translate well into text

[@mattjameson1453]

the face of a man you thinks it all a good joke.12:40

[@mattjameson1453]

the face of a man who* 12:40

[@nothinghere835]

I guess we see different things. He didn't speak over her he didn't drown her out... basically there's no winning here. Also could be a fart.

[@heymanmike]

this was highly editied

[@8BitHate]

You hit the nail on the head! "innocent till proven guilty" but by the looks of it the justice system seems to think its "Guilty till proven innocent". Prime example is the Zimmerman case

[@thepoptropicashow]

Tbh, I voted for Obama, but this wasn't part of the promise. I myself am a moderate, taking no parties...but to me both parties should NOT be commiting human rights abuses...need information from a terrorist? Truth serum! Pscyhological hypnosis, painless methods that work.

[@madTbonez]

VICE rocks!!!

[@Dem6g6rg6n1]

I don't think you end up in Guantanamo Bay if you're "innocent" >.> Think about it...

[@amiamae]

As a navy veteran who was stationed in GTMO as part of the NEGB JTF, and as a guard within the prison from '05 to '07, I find these opinions and accusations incorrect. Know the real story before forming such strong opinions just by viewing a couple videos about Guantanamo Bay. I can't believe how clueless and misinformed some people are. Don't let the media form your thoughts.

[@frankt858]

Abu Ghraib torture and prisoner abuse, Emad al-Janabi, Bagram torture and prisoner abuse, Camp Nama, Maywand District murders, Copper Green....ill let these examples; all that originated from US Armed Forces, form my thoughts.

[@edwardtoh]

***** Don't blame him. He sacrificed himself to the notion of defending his country, which is really commendable, but through the process of it all got brainwashed, which is basically what the army does to you to make you a functional soldier.

[@frankt858]

I'm a soldier myself, although the only difference is that I'm a Canadian soldier.

[@amiamae]

Edward, I'm a her not a him. I was not in the army. Saying the military is brainwashed is not only insulting but unintelligent as well. If you want to debate this topic then please do but insulting people isn't the way to do it. Frank, you and I obviously have had very different experiences dealing with detainees. I realize that in the beginning of this mess things were done that are both disgusting and wrong. This isn't the case today. I guess I'm trying to legitimately understand your views. Why do you so adamantly stand up for these people? Do you stand up for the 3000+ victims of 9/11? Or the victims of the Mumbai attacks? Or those soldiers who were burned and dragged through the streets? These people hated the west long before they became detainees. Do you not think that the intelligence gathered through the detainees has saved countless lives?

[@edwardtoh]

Rebekah Broughen Sorry I didn't notice your username. Maybe using the word brainwashed is too demeaning, I apologise for that. But you cannot deny that armies engage in propaganda heavily, especially this particular country. And that bias would inherently affect your viewpoint. Without even being given a fair trial, do you truly believe that the prisoners imprisoned there are all, or even the majority, guilty? If facts were so blatantly incriminating, is there any need to not officially process them? Truth is, they know that most of the evidence is conjecture/assumptions/accusations and would not stand in a proper court of law. So that then puts the value of the "intelligence" gathered. Is the information provided by people who may or may not be terrorists even be useful enough to save lives, or in a brutal way of thinking to justify the value of imprisoning people who may or may not be innocent? And let's not even talk about human rights that have been so blatantly ignored. 

[@Aristotelezz]

No one should complain about the fate of the Muslims in GB. They have Allah on their side while all others have him against them. What more could you wish?

[@charlesvan13]

It's not quite as simple as this guy is making it out to be. Some of the prisoners haven't been released because they would get executed in their home countries.

[@slizzy6292]

He needs to weed his back yard, that shit is a mess

[@Dedfaction]

The fuck has that to do with anything?

[@02Crimson]

maybe a detail of prisoners could do it.

[@duckiebrown]

This is what England looks like, maybe don’t ever come here.

[@Sparky-p4j]

Hate how my KZbin wont load this video but will load my brothers shitty mind craft crap

[@hammerdown184]

I love clive he's a amazing guy.

[@MrTC0815]

And I agree that innocent people shouldn't be put in prison, especially a prison like Guantanamo Bay, but we don't know anything about these inmates, we don't know if they're innocent or guilty because they haven't been given trials.

[@Topy44]

Not just innocent, but KNOWN innocent, proven to be innocent, no questions at all. Nobody, even the people that run the place, thinks they are guilty.

[@dedog2003]

Yes I agree with everything you just said!

[@TheAlexagius]

If only we used the non aggression principle the world would be a whole lot nicer

[@AznPersuazn96]

Big Brother is watching...

[@-wack]

Hi big brother

[@neongirluk]

Clive Stafford Smith is a hero. I remember watching him in 14 days in May and seeing how much he cares about his clients. I hope the people cleared for release are out soon. Surely keeping them their against their will when they are innocent is criminal anyway.

[@EMCEBANANA]

beautiful location for an interview

[@mellowmelo6319]

its wrong to force feed people

[@QuietstormSilentSwag]

Watch on KZbin "Documentary Closing Guantanamo" is a way better documentary than VICE one-man interview.

[@loganburrows5627]

Obama, how the fuck is someone a "terror suspect" if you don't know whether you can try them or not? Hypocrisy.

[@Rafael-oi6dj]

They "interrogate" until they're dead & then would report it as "suicide"

[@TheGrimSniper14]

I feel bad that the people who have been cleared for release are tortured but I am so happy that the actual terrorists are tortured and forced fed because if they have the will to go an mass murder a bunch of people then they deserve to be tortured and suffer the same amount of pain that they would have caused the families of the victims.

[@Mahery321]

USA!!!!!!!!!

[@hntrbdnspns]

LOLOLOL at the clip of obama at the end. the ladies voice slowly wanes as she's clearly being dragged out

[@Wireheadking]

Yet again you avoid my point and shove words in to my mouth. I beleive I've already made my point about the freedom thing clear enough. The reason why you don't feel threatened by your rights is because you've done nothing to piss off the people who protect your rights. I've seen countless videos of Americans getting their rights violated after trying to stand up for them. Use your rights against the wrong police officer in America and you will definately feel that your rights are threatened.

[@Wireheadking]

They avoided the war because they wanted to keep their citizens safe. They wouldn't sacrifice the lives of millions of their people just because they didn't like what was going on outside their boarders. I see that as a sensible decision, and it saved countless lives too.

[@Wireheadking]

It's difficult, but I would say Switzerland is definately a strong candidate. It gives it's people freedom, rights, minimal taxes and it's very good at staying out of wars. I beleive Switzerland hasn't been in a war for over 400 years, but I could be wrong.

[@WillelmMacguyver]

We finally going to talk about what Ron DeSantis was doing at Guantanamo Bay?

[@QtpieXD]

Way to go VICE! That was a great piece. Nice to see you guys are still focusing on some news worthy hot button issues.

[@RapAficionado]

"Dear Barack I know you just a puppet but I’m giving you props You lying to the public like it ain’t nothing And I just love it, I hope it don’t stop"

[@newgrounds90]

yt = youtube

[@threadproski3375]

exactly.. walla 6a7 kalamik kiss um il ghaba

[@killswitch6111]

Wtf

[@marhanen]

he also made a promise to make marihuana legal, plus many others hes a politician what do u expect, hes a liar

[@marhanen]

the us is half the size of all of europe some us states are more populous than entire european countries

[@beezybino3850]

i dk why he keeps saying "We" when referring to americans like hes one himself....

[@TheKingdomofErnor]

I wonder if you were taken to prison and tortured if you'd think "I probably deserve this."

[@PS4sos21]

--A Bit Of Important Info For People Who Do Not Know How To Unblock the HBO-Vice Eps--- If you are from western Europe and you want to see the HBO - Vice episodes, then use proximate for google chrome to unblock the censorship HBO has put on this episode..

[@ironlungdtoker]

that killed me, 2en class mail , " he wants to threaten you , but he not in any greate rush " haha thats ptty fuckin funny , its a death threat n all he noticed is that the writter was a cheap bastard

[@St3v3z]

No, you are angry now. Debating while angry is a foolish error. I just do not value your input on the original discussion. It was not relevant. I do not remember whether I could read before school or not. But I am fairly sure I did not have a random guy from KZbin turn up expecting to teach me. So I fail to see what your point is. It is the parents job. And I am not a parent. Even if I were not taught outside of school, I am perfectly eloquent (if I do may say so myself) today.

[@celebration123456]

so we just leave them there to rot without a trial?? even tho most probably a large proportion of them are innocent people that have been falsely accused. what would you say to that innocent man that has been tortured and locked up like an animal for years with out a trial. hes whole life destroyed because he might of been friends with a terrorist. if that's the case why don't we do this to all of our suspected murderess here in the states. Gitmo is in clear breach of human rights.

[@Deathlot]

yeah I agree, protesting does work though when you want to get your point across, I would rather have protests instead of revolting and rioting. I added protesting because it brings the people together and it provides attention to a problem and it will get news coverage so everybody knows what is going on. we can't act like babies about it though, I see your point. I like the idea of setting up communities. number 1 is most important though. don't accept pre candidates. chose our own for once.

[@Deathlot]

i know because i do my own research. im not easily swayed by silly youtube videos that you watch. i investigate things like any top investigator would with the resources that i have. i first found out that china was drilling iraqs oil when i heard it on john stewart. i don't watch the show but stumbled upon it. so what did i do? i investigated it from multiple websites. talked to soldiers that are still in Iraq and also talked to some journalist, all friends i might add. thanks for the question

[@kittykitty101001]

"it matters when people tell lies on you tube to get people to hate all americans." No it doesn't, because it has no huge effect on your life and they're youtube comments. There's always going to be some anti race comment. I don't think that the people typing these anti american comments are trying to lie, maybe they really feel that way, and when did I say that I dislike the truth?

[@Deathlot]

if you are saying that we invaded Iraq for oil then you are wrong. china is drilling their oil right now. it takes very little common sense to understand not to be around military targets during war time. you should know that most of those civilians were used as meat shields and they should know better to stay away but they cant because they were taken hostage. I think you have watched too many propaganda videos on you tube. prove me wrong, I know you cant because im right

[@creativeusername6453]

the cold war is over buddy but anyway if you watch the documentary it explains the details for why many people are in Guantanamo and more information can be easily searched on the internet i believe what you have failed to remember is the united states has stated that we are in a war against terror but if you look into who is being imprisoned and the civilian causality rates it looks as if the united states is waging war against all in the middle east

[@nickreeves9307]

You are referring to America as a singular entity when in actuality it is made up of around 300 million people each with their own opinions and beliefs. The vast majority of people I know find secret prisons and drone strikes absolutely disgusting. I Honestly believe that if the civilian population had any real control over topics that mattered none of this stuff would be happening.

[@mannequin0909]

I live in America, and not once have I ever felt my rights threatened anymore than what I saw in the UK, and Canada. Every country wants to criticize us, and when you look at those countries, look at their tv shows and their comedians, they all seem to have the same dislike with their govt., the same problems with the youth, obesity, and education. And very few people here are 'brainwashed' into believing America is the greatest. Believe it or not, most just live their lives.

[@threadproski3375]

I personally have never heard anyone say china is less evil than the US but if i did i'd laugh in their face because that is just absurd. anyways though there are plenty of countries besides the US that don't censor their internet, either way though that has nothing to do with gitmo. Not sre if ur actually done or are gonna keep saying retarded things because u said ur done about 10 times already.

[@threadproski3375]

I never said the US is the most evil, it seams many people are misunderstanding me and mistake me for some US hating arab or some shit. I live in the states, love it here, but i have the right to criticize inhumane acts carried out even if they are being done by my own government. Why is it thanks to america that we can have this discussion? is it because we are talking about a prison they opened? i don't get that part

[@threadproski3375]

but how does a prison filled with innocent people being tortured all the time make u feel safe? if anything it makes me feel unsafe, those people were minding their own business and had no ill intent towards the western countries like USA, UK, etc. but i'm sure after being tortured by americans for years some kind of hate developed, and then they go back to their countries and tell stories of what the americans did to them and that causes the hate to spread. How is that making the US safer?

[@MrTC0815]

So what needs to be done with these people? They won't be put in regular American prisons, where do you put them? I agree with the fact that they shouldn't be tortured but at the same time it's the media who exaggerates the torture accusations. It's common knowledge that torturing these guys won't make it easier when trying to get information from them. We don't even know what these inmates are being charged with or the background of their case and I doubt we ever will.

[@MrLgmhandler]

It certainly does raise suspicion. Though I am assuming that many of the people cleared for release upon release would make themselves credible terrorists threats because of being wrongly held by the US. Evil implies that there is malice here. I don't see it though I do see a series of bad judgement calls. I was talking about how you addressed the close-minded fucker above. I am sorry I wasn't clear, and I am don't appreciate you thinking that that was deliberate.

[@nubemuffin]

I tend to agree with Jefferson when he said, "The natural progress of things is for liberty to yield, and government to gain ground." and with Gerald Ford when he said, "A government big enough to give you everything you want is a government big enough to take from you everything you have." Your example of Norway is a good point, but there are also very valid points on the other side of the spectrum like Hong Kong and Singapore. But who knows? Maybe I'm wrong.

[@urasoul]

'we the americans'? eh? his accent is more british than most british born people!?

[@BonesTheCat]

If someone fronts up to threaten your way of life you don't give them an inch. Ever.

[@HarishBhagat]

But 52% of them have been cleared for release... Wouldn't it just be beneficial for both parties and more cost-effective for the US to just let them go home if they haven't done anything.

[@St3v3z]

Of course you do not want to debate. You couldn't keep up with one. You think words exchanged between people is not productive? I think there is nothing available to us any where near as productive as words. My house is clean. Children get taught in schools and I am perfectly healthy. Thanks for the life tips, though.

[@St3v3z]

Which is precisely what I said it meant. It is not a fact. Have you witnessed every single argument? Can you even speak a second language? Comparisons to a recent global enemy is relevant to many issues and should not be forgotten. Your bringing up someone else's inconsequential observance instead of adding to the existing conversation irritates my sense of productivity.

[@St3v3z]

Everything has more of a chance to be brought up the longer an argument goes on, obviously... The name Hitler has become almost a synonym for evil. To make that comparison is not necessarily a foolhardy thing to do. Godwins law is little more than a tongue in cheek reference to those prone to the overuse of hyperbolic comparisons.

[@deanbbock3130]

the best part of this was the last 30 seconds, watch obama's face when the woman is yelling. he doesn't seem dismissive of her but actually looks like he understands. sort of seems he wishes he could do something but is forced to not act upon it. politics in a nutshell, make people feel like your different, then act just the same.

[@joseywales2740]

First they came for the socialists, and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a socialist. Then they came for the trade unionists, and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a trade unionist. Then they came for the Jews, and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a Jew. Then they came for me, and there was no one left to speak for me.