Comments on: Ashcroft: Detaining Terror Suspects At Guantanamo Bay ‘Has Been A Humanitarian Act’ http://languages.oberlin.edu/hist293/blog/2008/12/13/ashcroft-detaining-terror-suspects-at-guantanamo-bay-%e2%80%98has-been-a-humanitarian-act%e2%80%99/ When the past informs the present... Thu, 22 Oct 2009 21:10:26 -0400 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.5.2 hourly 1 By: karin drucker http://languages.oberlin.edu/hist293/blog/2008/12/13/ashcroft-detaining-terror-suspects-at-guantanamo-bay-%e2%80%98has-been-a-humanitarian-act%e2%80%99/comment-page-1/#comment-390 karin drucker Sat, 13 Dec 2008 19:28:53 +0000 http://languages.oberlin.edu/hist293/blog/2008/12/13/ashcroft-detaining-terror-suspects-at-guantanamo-bay-%e2%80%98has-been-a-humanitarian-act%e2%80%99/#comment-390 This story presents a very timely question: What gives Ashcroft the authority to define 'truth' about detainee's treatment? I believe that his story is really a reflection of our current administration's efforts to co-opt the 'truth' about what America needs re national security, and the degeneration of combatant non-citizens from an individual with his/her own sphere of personal autonomy (which also implies a personal story, nuanced involvement in the current conflict, and a possibility of innocence). Ashcroft may not hold the reins of the military as Pinochet did, but he is still attempting to frame the reality of actions under his command as legitimate, necessary, and right. This story presents a very timely question:
What gives Ashcroft the authority to define ‘truth’ about detainee’s treatment?
I believe that his story is really a reflection of our current administration’s efforts to co-opt the ‘truth’ about what America needs re national security, and the degeneration of combatant non-citizens from an individual with his/her own sphere of personal autonomy (which also implies a personal story, nuanced involvement in the current conflict, and a possibility of innocence).

Ashcroft may not hold the reins of the military as Pinochet did, but he is still attempting to frame the reality of actions under his command as legitimate, necessary, and right.

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