GTMO U.S. Naval Base (a.k.a. "Gitmo") is the oldest U.S. base overseas and the only one in a Communist country. Located on the southeast corner of Cuba, in the Oriente Province, the base is about 400 air miles from Miami, Florida. The terrain and climate of Guantanamo Bay make it a haven for iguanas and banana rats.
In December 1903, the United States leased the 45 square miles of land and water for use as a coaling station. A treaty reaffirmed the lease in 1934 granting Cuba and her trading partners free access through the bay, payment of $2,000 in gold per year, equating to $4,085 today (cheap!), and a requirement that both the U.S. and Cuba must mutually consent to terminate the lease.
A self sustaining Naval Base:
In early 2005, four white wind turbines began operating John Paul Jones Hill, the base’s highest point, named after the Revolutionary War naval hero. The turbines, standing at 80 meters (262 feet) high, feature three-blade turbines. The four turbines were estimated to provide as much as a quarter of the base’s power generation during the high-wind months of late summer and fall; an appreciable fact given that Guantanamo Bay is completely self-sustaining, generating its own power and water without having to rely on Cuban municipal sources. The naval hospital that provides healthcare to both detainees and the base naval force, offers one doctor for every two inmates.
A topic of much conversation and a target of proposed CHANGE by the new Obama Administration, it currently houses only 245 detainees. Of these, 170 detainees are expatriates, unwanted by their countries of origin. To close the base, new confinement would have to be provided or provisions made for them. Of those, 110 are extremely violent offenders, possessing unattractive qualities when interviewing with landlords in pursuit of a new home.
In December 1903, the United States leased the 45 square miles of land and water for use as a coaling station. A treaty reaffirmed the lease in 1934 granting Cuba and her trading partners free access through the bay, payment of $2,000 in gold per year, equating to $4,085 today (cheap!), and a requirement that both the U.S. and Cuba must mutually consent to terminate the lease.
A self sustaining Naval Base:
In early 2005, four white wind turbines began operating John Paul Jones Hill, the base’s highest point, named after the Revolutionary War naval hero. The turbines, standing at 80 meters (262 feet) high, feature three-blade turbines. The four turbines were estimated to provide as much as a quarter of the base’s power generation during the high-wind months of late summer and fall; an appreciable fact given that Guantanamo Bay is completely self-sustaining, generating its own power and water without having to rely on Cuban municipal sources. The naval hospital that provides healthcare to both detainees and the base naval force, offers one doctor for every two inmates.
A topic of much conversation and a target of proposed CHANGE by the new Obama Administration, it currently houses only 245 detainees. Of these, 170 detainees are expatriates, unwanted by their countries of origin. To close the base, new confinement would have to be provided or provisions made for them. Of those, 110 are extremely violent offenders, possessing unattractive qualities when interviewing with landlords in pursuit of a new home.
Last week, the Pentagon delivered a new report to the White House, assessing the present conditions at Guantánamo Bay. Surprise, surprise—the report supports the Department of Defense’s long-held contention that Gitmo does indeed meet the Geneva Convention standard for humane treatment.
Two thoughts on Gitmo:
1. Since Gitmo is apparently an okay place to live, why put Americans in danger by shutting it down?
2. Gitmo is a horrible place to live, but isn’t that a small price to pay for safety?
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