IMHO it's about setting an example for those countries you want to "win over", too. Even if there's a lot of freedom in the US - and there is, no doubt about that...to win the heart of an enemy you have to set an example that is better than what is going on right now. The whole idea of keeping people locked up without a charge, depriving them of their civil rights for a basically unlimited amount of time, makes the idea of a society based on freedom somewhat ridiculous... It's not a good role model.

I know you can find examples everywhere that might be a lot worse, but you'll have a hard time waving a freedom flag in people's faces when facts like that leak through.

Silke