Clive Stafford-Smith

Heard international human rights lawyer Clive Stafford-Smith speak at the Mitchell Library last night. Interesting and charismatic man. A tendency to be glib and incongruously humorous on occasions but a man with a serious mission. I knew he lived in America but didn't know he was half-American. Significant facts which came out were that 52% of the occupants of Guantanamo have been cleared of suspicion but can't be released due to US red-tape and political expediency. The current hunger strike at Gitmo involves 130 prisoners not 50 as the US have stated. Authorities are lying. I asked him why he thought Obama had failed so miserably in his promise to close Gitmo years ago. He felt that Obama is weak in the face of possible 'political deficit' - Fox News/Republicans accusing him of being 'weak on terror' etc. There are few votes to be lost in America by keeping Gitmo open. Another questioner asked why Obama should not be bolder since this is his last term. Clive said he was still hopeful about Obama. It's more than I am. His new book is The Injustice System.