Harry Potter Bewitches Guantanamo Bay Prisoners

by **proldic** » Tue Aug 09, 2005 6:19 pm

From Reuters: By Caroline Drees, Security Correspondent Harry Potter has bewitched detainees at the U.S. prison at Guantanamo Bay, where tales of the young wizard and mysteries by Agatha Christie top the list of most popular books... "Harry Potter is a popular title among some of the detainee population," said the librarian, a civilian contractor identified only as "Lorie" who works at the prison camp for foreign terrorism suspects at the U.S. naval base in Cuba. Lorie said the popularity of the best-selling Harry Potter books, which recount the adventures of a boy wizard... was matched only by the prisoners' passion for Agatha Christie... But even this remote prison has not escaped the world-wide frenzy over the escapades of Harry Potter and his friends at the Hogwarts School of Wizardry and Witchcraft. The sixth book in the series by author J.K. Rowling, which went on sale last month, is the fastest-selling book of all time. "We have Harry Potter in four languages, English, French, Farsi and Russian. We have it on order in Arabic. We do not have books 5 and 6 in the series, at this time. We have had several detainees read the series," Lorie said in a written response to questions from Reuters. "One prisoner has requested the movies," she said. News of the series' popularity was first reported by The Washington Times on Monday. Asked what other books were among the prisoners' favorites, Lorie said, "We have 12 different Agatha Christie titles in Arabic that are very popular. Also 1001 Arabian Nights."... Human rights groups have assailed the United States for the indefinite detentions, and former Guantanamo prisoners have complained they were tortured, a charge the military denies. Some critics have urged the Bush administration to shut the camp down, saying its treatment of prisoners encourages hatred toward the West and bolsters support for militant violence.

by **alice** » Wed Aug 10, 2005 4:29 am

Well, there you go! Forget Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch and eyewitness accounts and first-hand experiences by identified individuals. The alleged librarian, alleged to be a female allegedly named "Lorrie", and the unimpeachable, Moonie Washington Times, have spoken and the matter should end. Right there. Harry Potter and Agathie Christie, eh? Am I the only one who is reminded of the soaring classical music that wafted enchantingly from trains carrying prisoners to the death camps?

by **DrDebugDU** » Wed Aug 10, 2005 6:18 am

Sounds like Rowling wants to sell her crappy books > Well, there you go! Forget Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch and eyewitness accounts and first-hand experiences by identified individuals. The alleged librarian, alleged to be a female allegedly named "Lorrie", and the unimpeachable, Moonie Washington Times, have spoken and the matter should end. Right there. I full heartily agree with you. Isn't it sad that we have a whole generation growing up and the only thing they have read is the occult rubbish by witch Rowland. They have taught to eat at McDonalds and the only books they have read are Harry Potters. What a great generation that'll be...

by **proldic** » Wed Aug 10, 2005 10:57 am

1. Maybe it's part of the torture. 2. Afa the Washington Times, should we discount all these stories as well? "'CALL-BOY' SERVICE PROSPERS USING HIGH FINANCE, HIGH TECH," Paul M. Rodriguez and George Archibald , The Washington Times, June 20, 1989 In which we see Henry Vinson's name first surface, along with Robert Chambers, a funeral director, who operated a call boy network that laundered money through umbrella organizations in the District of Columbia area, Florida, Kentucky and West Virginia. "POWER BROKER SERVED DRUGS, SEX AT PARTIES BUGGED FOR BLACKMAIL," Michael Hedges and Jerry Seper, The Washington Times, June 30, 1989 In which we learn of Craig J. Spence, who arranged midnight tours of the White House, threw lavish parties for the famous and powerful where cocaine was generously served, spent $20,000 a month on male prostitutes from a D.C. prostitution ring, and bragged of connections to the CIA, whom he worried might kill him and then make it look like a suicide. "RNC CALLS SCANDAL A 'TRAGIC SITUATION,'" George Archibald and Paul M. Rodriguez, The Washington Times, Friday, June 30, 1989 In which we learn of the resignation of an aide to Secretary of Labor Elizabeth Dole, and of the reaction of Rep. Barney Frank, who is "not surprised" by the revelations. "White House mute on 'call boy' probe," Frank J. Murray, The Washington Times, July 7, 1989 In which we learn that President Bush followed the story, and that a Uniformed Division officer of the Special Service, Reginald deGueldre, arranged the midnight White House tours for Craig Spence and two male prostitutes, and was moonlighting as Spence's bodyguard. "Spence was target before raid on ring," Jerry Seper, and Michael Hedges The Washington Times, July 10, 1989 In which we learn that Craig Spence brought a 15-year old boy on at least one of his midnight tours of the White House, that Spence asked detailed questions about the Delta Force operations, that he partied with former U.S. Attorney Joseph diGenova and his wife, Victoria Toensing, and that he bragged of having blackmailed a high-ranking Japanese politician, Motoo Shiina. "Spence ma[y] be Shiina's downfall," Edward Neilan, The Washington Times, July 18, 1989 In which we hear of the connections between Motoo Shiina, groomed to be a future prime minister of Japan, and Craig Spence: how Spence had made more than $700,000 from Shiina's Policy Study Group, and how Spence had refused to pay back a loan made by Shiina for the purchase of Spence's house. "First lady not worried about hookers' tour of White House," Paul Bedard, The Washington Times, July 10, 1989 In which we learn that First Lady Barbara Bush was not concerned about the security questions raised by midnight White House tours, but did think it good that the Washington Post had not followed the Times' story. "Secret Service furloughs third White House guard ," Jerry Seper, and Michael Hedges, The Washington Times , July 26, 1989 In which we hear that, contrary to earlier White House claims, 1 a.m. tours were "totally out of the ordinary." We also learn that Spence introduced a 15-year old boy to Ted Koppel in the Nightline studio right before one of the tours. "SEX PARTY HELD AT AUSSIE EMBASSY 'WE'RE NOT TALKING CROCODILE DUNDEE HERE,'" Michael Hedges and Jerry Seper, Washington Times, July 28, 1989 In which a woman who worked for one of the prostitution rings linked to Spence claimed she worked a party held at the Australian embassy. She also claimed that one of her military clients told her Spence was blackmailing him. "SPENCE ELUSIVE, SAID TO BE EVERYWHERE BUT ISN'T," Jerry Seper and Michael Hedges, Washington Times, Thursday, August 3, 1989 In which we learn that Spence has disappeared, but has told his friends not to take any account of his death at face value. We also discover that Ted Koppel is a longtime friend, and that the Special Service is not as interested in credit card fraud as they are in Spence's military and political connections. "SPENCE ARRESTED IN N.Y., RELEASED BIZARRE INTERVIEW IS NO NIGHT ON THE TOWN," Jerry Seper and Michael Hedges, Washington Times; August 9, 1989 In which Craig Spence is interviewed and speaks of his own death and of the connections he had to powerful people who will pretend never to have known him. Spence arrested in N.Y., released; Once-host to powerful reduced to begging, sleeping in park, Michael Hedges, and Jerry Seper, The Washington Times, August 9, 1989. More from Craig Spence's interview. Highlights include his hint that Donald Gregg arranged the late-night White House tours. Spence also speaks of more significant secrets that he plans to take to the grave. "Sex sold from congressman's apartment: Frank's lover was 'call boy,'" Paul M. Rodriguez and George Archibald, The Washington Times , August 25, 1989. The only story that received much attention. A male prostitute, identified by the alias Greg Davis, entertained clients in the apartment of Rep. Barney Frank. Frank admitted having a relationship with the prostitute, but denied knowledge of the use of his apartment for illicit purposes. "Sex sold from congressman's apartment: School used as base for sex ring," George Archibald and Paul M. Rodriguez, The Washington Times, August 25, 1989. In which we learn that Barney Frank's call boy also did business in a local public school. "THE GOBIE STORY: Frank's 'call boy' tells all," George Archibald, and Paul M. Rodriguez, The Washington Times, September 1, 1989. In which Stephen L. Gobie, whose professional name in the underground prostitute trade is "Greg Davis," insists that Rep. Barney Frank knew of the use of his apartment as a base for prostitution. Gobie also reveals that one of his clients was Craig Spence. "IN DEATH, SPENCE STAYED TRUE TO FORM," Michael Hedges, and Jerry Seper, The Washington Times, Monday, November 13, 1989. Craig Spence is found dead in a Boston hotel room. Near his body is a newspaper clipping that details legislative efforts to protect CIA agents called to testify before government bodies. Friends of Spence reported that he had claimed the CIA used the call boy service to compromise other federal intelligence officials and foreign diplomats. One friend quoted Spence as saying, "Casey's boys are out to get me," "SPENCE AS MUCH AN ENIGMA IN DEATH AS HE WAS IN LIFE," Jerry Seper, and Michael Hedges, The Washington Times, November 13, 1989. In which we learn how slow had been the federal investigation into the allegations swirling around Craig Spence. Spence himself had been handed a subpoena more than two months before his death, but was never called to testify. Officials of the Reagan and Bush administrations, identified in The Times as having used the call-boy service, had not even been contacted by law enforcement officials. One witness reported: "They asked me what I thought Spence wanted to know about the Delta project." "Prostitutes corroborate Frank stories," Paul M. Rodriguez, The Washington Times, February 2, 1990. In which other prostitutes corroborate Gobies' claims that Rep. Barney Frank knew of his use of the congressman's apartment for use as a bordello. Gobie also claims that Craig Spence was one of his clients and had tried to recruit him to help "in a sordid scheme to blackmail the powerful politicians invited to his lavish parties." Gobie claimed that Mr. Spence said to him, "Do you know what kind of power you can have over people if you've got something on them? . . . I need boys and girls for people in government and high-level businessmen for my parties, for individuals, for whatever comes up." MINGO HIRES CONTROVERSIAL DOCTOR, Maryclaire Dale, The Charleston Gazette; News, July 01, 1997. Returning full circle to the Mingo case, we find the newly appointed medical examiner of Mingo County arguing that the fact that she is a physician argues in favor of her having the position over the previous nominee, a funeral home owner. Shafer argues: "A physician has nothing to gain from a suicide. A mortician does. He would probably process the body for burial," she said. "I don't think it's [the funeral industry] a charity business." Ironically, Shafer's "husband" is Henry Vinson, a former mortician and coroner who is linked, as we saw above, to the child sex ring scandals. We also learn that his lawyer is the legal commentator Greta van Susteren. White House mute on 'call boy' probe Frank J. Murray The Washington Times; Part A; Pg. A1 July 7, 1989, Friday, Final Edition Administration officials continued yesterday to stonewall reporters on the growing federal "call boy" investigation, apparently hoping the scandal will fade before President Bush is asked his view of a late-night White House tour that reportedly included two male prostitutes. Spence was target before raid on ring Jerry Seper, and Michael Hedges The Washington Times; Part A; Pg. A1 July 10, 1989, Monday, Final Edition; Correction Appended Craig J. Spence, the Washington lobbyist and power broker, was the subject of a Secret Service investigation even before a February raid on a homosexual prostitution ring to which he has been linked, The Washington Times has learned.

by **professorpan** » Wed Aug 10, 2005 1:40 pm

<blockquote>Quote:<hr>Isn't it sad that we have a whole generation growing up and the only thing they have read is the occult rubbish by witch Rowland. They have taught to eat at McDonalds and the only books they have read are Harry Potters. What a great generation that'll be...<hr></blockquote> Oh, come on now. "Occult rubbish?" We're talking about a popular children's book series. It's FICTION. And for many kids, Potter is a springboard to much better fantasy -- Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, etc. I'm not a huge fan of the Potter books, but they're enjoyable and imaginative. I'm happy kids are reading *anything* -- rather than watching tv or playing video games. Harry Potter is about as "occult" as "Bewitched."

by **ZeroHaven** » Wed Aug 10, 2005 4:00 pm

darn, my earlier comment never posted. take 2. It has been publicly admitted that there's kids there. Doesn't it make sense that Harry Potter would be appreciated by detainees under 16? I just don't know how they have time to read between the interrogation sessions... <img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a239/ZeroHaven/tinhat.gif"/>

by **alice** » Thu Aug 11, 2005 12:20 pm

No, proldic, I don't think those items from the Washington Times should be discounted, but neither should they be unquestioningly believed just because they reinforce what we already suspect. That the moonies own the Washington Times doesn't mean that everything they print is a lie, or even that ANYTHING they print is a lie. But we do know that the moonies have an agenda, and that a publication they own is likely to play a role in promoting that agenda. Nevertheless, it's definitely a professional newspaper run by professional journalists. That's why I find such a weird, disingenuous item as the one about Harry Potter's popularity jarring, both in terms of context (horrifying accusations of torture, of child abuse, etc.) and in terms of adherence to professional standards (the total lack of identified sources). By the way, I totally agree with professorpan that children reading is a very good thing, and one must be flexible -- my own nine-year-old is reading things with "monster blood" and "killer ghouls" in the title and despite my slight unease, I feel way better about that than when I see him transfixed by the idiot box or the flashing lights and beeps of the computer. As for the "occult" aspects of Harry Potter -- I can't think of a time or place when children were not fascinated by ghosts, witches, wizards, fairies, monsters, etc. Can you?

by **marykmusic** » Fri Aug 12, 2005 2:44 am

Neither do they eat McDonalds, nor watch TV except for movies we all choose. Not that they're not interested in the occult; we do things around here that many Potter fans would never believe. Nor that they don't read; the 14-y-o read the entire Terry Goodkind "Sword of Truth" series, 10 books of 600 to 800 pp. each this year (so did I.) Toward the end I realized that Goodkind was a National Security professional, and as the books went on, that angle became more and more noticeable. The 12-y-o is as close to a Jedi as this 3D world can stand. For us, the occult is not just for entertainment. --MaryK