Doing The Right Thing

Grace Moment by Moment-weekly column
As a young college student from a small town, the news report the other night on the Prison Camp at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba pricked my conscience. I seriously began to think about the situation there. Specifically, the conditions the detainees live in, and the fact they are held without legal representation or the right to a fair trial.
The photos captured the haunted look of hoplessness and despair on the detainees' faces. I was instantly reminded of the stories I had heard from World War II veterans of similar reactions they had witnessed, when the veterans liberated people from Hitler's death camps.
Now, I know in my heart that for the most part, the American military honors the Geneva Convention's code of coduct in regards to human rights. I also know no one is perfect. Many mistakes can and will be made in the interests of self preservation. We are a nation at war.
So it may be true many detainees at Guantanamo Bay are considered to be too dangerous to release to the general public. It may also be true quite a few don't wish to return to their own countries because they fear reprisal or death.
It seems, some of the countries whose people we hold would rather let the United States be responsible for the risk these detainees pose rather than take responsibility for their own inaction.
Consequently, America faces a moral dilemma. How does a nation respond appropriately when dealing with prisoners of war when there are ramifications, that shoot off in every direction, to the decisions a nation must make?
The Prison Camp at Guantanamo Bay stands in the crosshairs of a divided world. A planet whose differences seem insurmountable and cannot be easily resolved by a pat on the back or a friendly shake of hands. Or can it?
To do the right thing is never easy or uncomplicated. But when you take that road in a complex, violent world, the simplest solution may be the best.
It wouldn't hurt if the leaders of the countries whose detainees we hold, sit down over "tea and cookies" and talked. Really talked to come up with a solution that benefitted everybody, especially the detainees.
Like the Bible says in Romans 12;18, "If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peacably with all men." (NKJV)