Sir, – They say a picture can be worth a thousand words. Take the Guantánamo picture (News Agenda, June 21st). It shows a barefooted, apparently blindfolded, tiny figure of a detainee, being “helped along” by two well-booted, massive camp guards. Just in case his helpers cannot control this hapless creature, there are seven, equally massive, well-booted, alert, ready-for-action military police, lined up ahead and ready to give a helping hand.
If it weren’t so serious it would be comical. One could as easily laugh as cry at what is depicted by the picture. As for the thousand words, it could be pantomime-type material for the pen of a Flann O’Brien, or as Simon Carswell would put it, material for Kafka.
Let us hope that this ridiculous, disturbing situation, that is degrading for all concerned is ended quickly and humanely. – Yours, etc,
TED O’KEEFFE,
Sandford Road,
Dublin 6.