There's a story in this morning's New York Times, Saudis Issue List of 85 Terrorism Suspects, which is an example of a story sourced from who-knows-who, posted for some unknown reasons, and which is so full of spin, innuendo, strange grey sources, and so bereft of story or point it resembles one of those coded want ads in a spy novel.
I believe there's about to be a showdown about setting free the remaining prisoners at Guantanamo (except the top three--- KSM and his two cronies will never see the light of day again, and I have no problem with that), and it seems there are some people who want to influence that outcome in some way. They've recently been claiming that the freed Guantanamo prisoners have been reverting right back to terrorism, as if terrorism is some kind of addictive drug. "Yup, Khalid just can't seem to stay away from the stuff," thinks some sargent-major from KY in charge of the jail.
The problem is, terrorism isn't an addictive drug, and the men we are holding in Guantanamo aren't addicts. They're Muslims. They're brown. They're mostly young. They're angry. And they've been deeply wronged. A few might revert to allegiance to terrorist groups, especially in Saudi Arabia, where the opportunities for expression of political ideas are quite limited.
But read this story from the Times. I can't understand it-- I challenge you to make sense of it. It's a story made of information that's been spun by spooks. There could be a coded message in there, but probably not. But it may be used later on, perhaps in hearings about whether and when to close Guantanamo and release the rest of the prisoners.
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