Michael Lehnert On Gitmo

In 2001, Maj. Gen. Michael Lehnert was in charge of detainee treatment at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Lehnert attempted to have Marine security personel honor the Geneva Conventions. Former Se. of Defense Donald Rumsfeld opposed Lehnert's efforts. Lehnert told Tony Perry of the Los Angeles Times Guantanamo Bay hurt America's international standing.

"I think we lost the moral high ground," Lehnert said. "For those who do not think much of the moral high ground, that is not that significant.

"But for those who think our standing in the international community is important, we need to stand for American values. You have to walk the walk, talk the talk."

Lehnert advocates for the immediate closing of Gitmo.

"I think we should close it down," he said. "I think the information we're getting is not worth the international beating we're taking."

No, it isn't. The recent arrest of Najibullah Zazi proves terrorism can be prevented without torture. The inhumane treatment of detainees at Gitmo and Abu Ghraib have been used by Al-Qaeda for recruitment. Creating more terrorists is a terrible tactic for terrorism prevention.