Guantanamo Bay detainees can tune into election night coverage
U.S. military guards walk an inmate through the detention facility in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
November 5th, 2012
08:35 PM ET

Guantanamo Bay detainees can tune into election night coverage

What will you be watching tomorrow night? If you're like millions of Americans and, perhaps, some of the scores detained at the U.S. Navy base in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, your television will be tuned in to see who wins the presidential election.

The detention facility colloquially referred to as Gitmo houses prisoners whom the government classifies as "unlawful enemy combatants," claiming many are terrorists. But there are different categories of alleged criminals at the base, and there are different security levels. In two "camps" at the detention facility, for instance, watching a TV show or movie is one of the few luxuries allowed, with certain restrictions.

"Television shows are vetted for subjects with the potential to create controversy," explains Capt. Jennifer Palmeri, a spokeswoman for Joint Task Force-Guantanamo.

As anyone who has seen the attack ads or heard from the candidates and their supporters knows, there has been no shortage of controversy thus far in the race between President Barack Obama and his Republican challenger, Mitt Romney. Still, heated campaign rhetoric isn't covered in the realm of "restricted topics (like) racial or cultural hate group ideologies or excessive graphic violence or nudity" that detainees can't watch, said Palmeri.

Moreover, some inmates may have already had a taste of the campaign.

"The detainees had the option to watch all three U.S. presidential debates and will have the opportunity to watch the election coverage," said Palmeri.

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Filed under: 2012 Election • Guantanamo
soundoff (8 Responses)
  1. banasy©

    Now WHY would the detainees at Gitmo even want to *watch* anything having to do with the elections!
    This just seems a little strange to me....

    November 5, 2012 at 9:48 pm | Report abuse |
    • Rascal Rabble

      let's see, you'rrr locked down and can't get out...which one would you choose to watch: the purple dinosaur or the elections?!?!?!

      November 5, 2012 at 9:55 pm | Report abuse |
    • banasy©

      Well, the purple dinosaur is cruel and unusual punishment...elections it is!

      November 5, 2012 at 10:03 pm | Report abuse |
  2. chrissy

    So its gonna be comedy night @ gitmo eh?

    November 5, 2012 at 10:09 pm | Report abuse |
  3. Guantamamo Inmate

    Vote Romney and I may be pardoned by Obama 😉

    November 5, 2012 at 10:14 pm | Report abuse |
    • Rascal Rabble

      nobody like reruns...especially mississippiee reruns...you'rrr staying buddy...likah old lady's wall decorations...

      November 5, 2012 at 10:28 pm | Report abuse |
  4. Rascal Rabble

    ...you always out of order...lol

    November 5, 2012 at 10:21 pm | Report abuse |
  5. Al Qaeda votes Obama

    A vote for Romney means law of war: Detention for the duration of hostilities, which in the global war on terror means a very long time. And maybe some enhanced interrogations to extract your secrets. Need some shampoo with that waterboarding?

    A vote for Obama means criminal law: A circus-like proceeding in some lucky stateside jurisdiction with a bonafide opportunity for release so recidivists can re join their buddies on the battlefield.

    November 6, 2012 at 5:05 am | Report abuse |
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