Selling fear is pathetic. Anyone who wants to frighten you into supporting something or who believes that the big stick of American power needs to be brandished regularly to make people afraid, is not worthy of your support. Our leaders should be judicious. Rulers and nations that lead through fear fail. That’s why you should support the closing of Guantanamo and the wisdom of former American military leaders who recognize, as President Obama does, that Guantanamo doesn’t keep America safe. It is a symbol of the degradation of our democracy, of fear, and of failed politicians.

Trying terrorists like criminals and imprisoning them in American prisons does them no favors.