The stenography continues

Joining David Frum on the official "Guantanamo is a Super Happy Fun Land Tour" was Peter Worthington, who shows his own embarrassing lack of ability to look behind the expected facade set up for visitors being led around the facility:

While I can’t speak about what went on in the past, after visiting Guantanamo, I have no hesitation in affirming that nothing resembling torture or cruel or inhumane treatment is going on — unless it’s actions by some of the detainees. In fact, I’d argue the American are being ridiculously considerate, if not soft; their “humane” policy invites the contempt of their wards, more than it does appreciation or respect...

(A)s a visitor there was no chance to talk to detainees — not because Admiral Harris was unwilling, but because Geneva Convention rules forbid it. And Gitmo goes beyond Geneva Conventions, and has annual reviews of inmates to assess changes of attitude and treatment. No photographs, no recorders, no laptops. Just eyes — and notes.

Some could argue — and undoubtedly activists and lawyers will — that on a guided tour, a visitor is susceptible to spin and what those in charge tell him.

True, up to a point, but when the average weight gain among of the 432 detainees (from 24 countries) is 18.4 lbs. — end of argument. Who’s ever heard of victims of prolonged “torture” ever gaining weight? It simply doesn’t happen.

In other words, Worthington is apparently of the view that if Syria had only kept an ample supply of pastries on hand, then Maher Arar would have had absolutely nothing to complain about.

Needless to say, the issue is far more complex than that. There's little basis given for the officials' claim as to weight in the first place; plenty of reason to doubt whether weight gain correlates in any way to proper treatment of prisoners; and indeed some reason to suspect that large-scale, systemic weight gain could reflect a deprivation of access to any physical activity. And any remotely balanced report would take those factors into account, rather than ignoring them entirely or writing off "what went on in the past" as irrelevant.

But then, the U.S. has never had the slightest interest in balance, and is apparently on yet another PR offensive to try to pretend that the Guantanamo detainees are having the time of their lives. And with Worthington and Frum playing along in exchange for being part of the "specially selected" group allowed to visit Gitmo, it looks like the impending Dem investigations into Guantanamo and other issues will have to counteract yet another round of disinformation.