The case of Guantanamo chaplain Captain James Yee was a uniquely disturbing one, as it involved an American military officer -- stationed at one of the nation’s most secretive installation -- who had allegedly betrayed his nation to forces aligned with Islamic terrorists. Yee was allowed to walk away from the case a free man, a development more indicative of the federal government’s botched prosecutorial effort than his actual innocence, as documented by Robert Spencer. In an article featured in today’s London Times provocatively titled “An American in Chains,” Yee protests his innocence, but ends up betraying his own disturbing mindset when he attempts to identify the “real” reason he was arrested: (thanks to Scaramouche)
I knew why I had been arrested: it was because I am a Muslim. I was just the latest victim of the hostility born the moment when the planes flew into the twin towers and the Pentagon on September 11, 2001.My real “crime” had been that I had tried to ensure that the suspected Taliban and Al-Qaeda fighters detained in the Gitmo cages were given every opportunity to practice their religion freely, one of the most fundamental of American ideals.
Yee goes on to suggest that the conditions at Guantanamo were inhumane, especially for a population of prisoners who he calls “friendly.”
By the time I got to Guantanamo, Camp X-Ray was too small for the number of prisoners coming in. When I saw its remains I couldn’t believe that humans were once held here. It looked like a cattle yard. There were hundreds of cages in rows. The only protection from the blistering sun was a tin roof. Dozens of enormous rodents crawled throughout the camp. I was told that these were banana rats and would attack if provoked.The new prison, Camp Delta, consisted of 19 blocks, each holding 48 detainees in individual open-air cells with steel mesh walls. Like other military personnel, I was briefed that the detainees were among the most dangerous terrorists in the world. We were told that many of the prisoners were responsible for the attacks of September 11 and would strike again if given the opportunity.
I expected to come face-to-face with hundreds of Osama Bin Ladens, but most prisoners were friendly. There were approximately 660 from dozens of countries, including Britain.
While fervently extolling his innocence and the aggressive hatred of American officials, Yee makes mention of past actions which would raise eyebrows even among the most lenient investigators:
On holiday after graduating from West Point, however, I met a young woman who was intrigued by Islam. I began to read about it and eventually converted. Then, after the US army sent me to Saudi Arabia and allowed me to visit Mecca, I wondered why there were no Muslim chaplains in the US military.My father had taught me as a boy that America promises all people an opportunity to lead an extraordinary life. By becoming a Muslim chaplain in the summer of 2000, after four years’ study in Damascus, I saw myself fulfilling this opportunity. I had no idea what I was letting myself in for.
Until he identified the "banana rats" I wasn't sure who or what he was referring to... I thought for a moment that he was referring to the fascist Muslim detritus which inhabited the camp... But sadly he was not... No -- he admits to thinking about the Muslim trash kept in this gabage dump as "friendly..."
How could this seditious traitor have EVER been admitted into our grand military ???????????????????????????????
This also goes for that execrable feind, the vile Hasan "Akbar," the revolting convert to Islam who MURDERED two of his commanding officers at the beginning of the Iraq war...
What a disgrace they are to their "religion..." What a disgrace that they (and no doubt many others) were allowed into our Military to serve Allah rather than their country --
Both of them are cowards and examples of human Muslim filth --
I totally agree with jsla. How could the US Military allow these Islamic filth to join up and destroy the one sector that provides the security for all of the US. They all should be rooted out. I dont see any Christians or members of other religions in the Saudi or Pakistan military establishment. It's time we culled any Islamic members of the US military as they could not be trusted or depended on, in case of any attack coming from an Islamic source. They are the enemy within. Its time our Government recognized this simple premise.
Yee;I wondered why there were no Muslim chaplains in the US military.
I don't know, maybe we should start a jihad to find out.
No Muslim chaplains? I don't know, when my nephew graduated from West Point in 2001 they had Muslim services, etc at graduation. I don't know, maybe he went to a different West Point and joined a different Army than my nephew.
Sounds to me as though Yee is a good muslim. And, that's the problem. Adherence to islam is sufficient grounds for revocation of US citizenship.
muslims Serving in the US military? You have got to be kidding. Let the deportations begin.
No muslims. No mosques.
No muslims. No mosques.
Havoc, much as Bush, Condi and the likes try to appease Muslims, the result will be more American blood. Only when US administration realizes that there is only one way to confront Islam will Americans be safe and they will have to come to one solusion, which you have already proposed: No muslims. No mosques.
Turn him over, he's done.
Collect every Koran in Gitmo and drop it on Mecca.
(now if there was a way to drop this fool on Mecca too....)
I didn't follow Yee's case that closely, but it has always puzzled me. If there were charges against him, given all of the Muslim sensitivity even the military, why didn't the prosecutors present an airtight case? Was someone else, on the inside, working on behalf of Yee, and turned the case in his favor? It has never made sense to me. Also, wasn't he actually convicted of possessing pornography, which as a chaplain of any faith, should have been grounds for his removal. Is he still on the payroll of the US government or is his job now to be a full time victim, featured at CAIR events? And, speaking of victims of the US military, does anyone have an update on the Lebanese/Muslim Marine who left Iraq and turned up weeks later in Lebanon? That was a strange case too; it seemed like desertion and possible espionage, but I wonder if that man will get off too due to a poor case presented by the military lawyers?
Yee said "I knew why I had been arrested: it was because I am a Muslim."
There are plenty of Muslims in the Armed Forces who have not been arrested for espionage. No, I think there was something different about Mr. Yee's actions.
If I remember correctly, he was arrested because he was caught carrying maps of the compound and messages from the detainees, both of which were classified information that he was not authorized to carry around.
maryrose said "... but I wonder if [the Lebanese American deserter] will get off too due to a poor case presented by the military lawyers?"
What case? Is he on trial? When he escaped after his first arrest, was he arrested a second time for desertion? The military response to his case can be summarized as "shhhhhh".
Maryrose,
You should try keeping up with JW, an update on Cpl. Wassef Hassoun was posted here months ago.The military saw through his phony story and charged him with desertion and theft.He faces court martial, dishonorable discharge and imprisonment.
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Marine Cpl. Wassef Ali Hassoun of West Jordan, who has been the subject of a five-month investigation into his June disappearance from a U.S. military camp near Fallujah, Iraq, has been charged with desertion by the U.S. Marine Corps.
Hassoun, 24, will also be charged with loss of government property and theft of a military firearm for allegedly leaving his post still in possession of his 9mm handgun, as well as theft of wrongful appropriation of a government vehicle, according to officials at Camp Lejeune, N.C.
Hassoun remains on duty at Camp Lejeune and has not been taken into custody.
Contacted Thursday afternoon, a Hassoun family member said he was "shocked" by the announcement.
Details about how the Utah Marine showed up in a purported hostage video before later appearing as a free man in Lebanon were not released.
If found guilty of desertion, Hassoun could face a dishonorable discharge, forfeiture of pay and allowances, and five years confinement for each specification
Hassoun's passport and other documents were found in a terrorist safe house in Fallujah, that's why they charged him with desertion. The last I heard, he had fled the country. And I agree with all of you above. Muslims in our military should have to undergo the utmost scrutiny, and probably shouldn't be allowed in an area where we are fighting Islamic terrorism.
Roxane, be nice to Maryrose. Hassoun was returned to active duty, as you suggest, and he deserted a second time, this time to Lebanon. I believe he remains there to this day.
We can't interfere with Lebanese sovereignty (now there's an oxymoron), and don't have any extradition treaty with them. Case closed.
Funny that.
I guess it must make you all nervous that those such as myself serve arm-in-arm with a multitude of others in the NYPD. Many as myself have also been past members of the proud organization known as the United States Army which of course isn't silly enough to discriminate against patriotic citizens on the basis of religion which I'm sure is all of your collective wet-dreams wrapped into a neat little package.
"Let the Deportations begin". Heh. Frothing at the mouth internet warriors are funny folk. I'd like you to say such a thing to those who served with me in the 626th at Fort Campbell and see what they say. Trust me, it ain't ever gonna happen.
People in the military are generally far more sane than the lot of you, and don't judge a man's worth by religious vindication.
Issac:
Thanks for your polite reply to the "deport 'em alls". The armed forces of both the US and Canada went through a painful process of trying to get rid of racism, sexism and other forms of discrimination. I'd hate to see the clock turned back and some posters here feel strongly that not all Muslims living in the west are "5th columnists". I'm sure the 5th columnists among us are still vastly outnumbered by good and loyal citizens whose intent in immigrating was actually to escape totalitarianism and persecution as well as an opportunity for economic betterment.
Captain was featured virtually all day on NPR the day his book came out. He repeated over and over how the prisoners had become "suicidal" after learning that a Koran had been kicked by one of the guards...The interviewers made no comment. How could a sophisticated American journalist pass up the moment to discuss how backward and Medieval such a reaction is?
Captain Yee was prosecuted and then the case was withdrawn. The porn. was dropped the maps he claimed he needed to get from cell to cell for counseling sessions and the messages were for, at some unspecified later, to be given “with permission” to the Red Crescent via the Red Cross.
Where he is now is unknown but I suspect he is/was giving a lot of information to the CID and FBI. I also agree that arm chair war fighters are a real drag and usually have no idea what the “war” is about. Muslims by their very religion MUST commit holy war on everybody who do not believe in the Koran.