Justice at Guantanamo. When?

Mr. Carroll is one of many calling for the closure of Guantanamo where over 80 people cleared of terrorist activity languish still. Eighty innocent people in jail, this is unconscionable

However, he remains confined by the thinking that requires these people to be sent to "foreign countries willing to receive them."  ( It's your turn. Boston Globe, May 6, 2013). But there may not be any willing countries.

If we cannot release them into the est of the world, then they should be released into the United States. That, after all, is the full implication of Colin Powell's dictum: "If you broke it, you own it." We have broken these people's lives and are continuing to do so. It is time to stop and to provide some restitution.

Mr President, let these people go.

As for those who are awaiting trial, the President should defy Congress -- just as it defies the President -- and issue an executive order to bring them all to the United States for trial in our Courts, which are well capable of providing a fair trial.

Mr Obama should have done this on the first day of his Presidency, but better now than further delay.

Sent to Boston Globe

I was distressed to read in your editorial (Boston Globe, April 29, 2013: A10) an attack on one of the few remaining protections for state workers: the anti-privatizing laws (Pacheco Law).

In a world in which private sector wages, except for top management, have been beaten down, it is worth keeping in mind that public sector jobs provide a buffer against severe declines. Since 2000, according the the Bureau of Labor Statistics, income for the lowest 10% of wage earners has declined by 3% (corrected for inflation); while wages for the top 10% have risen 9% (also corrected for inflation).

So, do we really want the work that needs to be done on behalf of the Commonwealth to be done by workers who are exploited by their employers, or do we want to ensure that the work is done by our public servants who, despite the publicity about patronage and corruption, are in the main honest and competent workers.

The House did well to preserve these protections.


Sent to Boston Globe