Many people in the US are boiling in anger because of Schroeders refusal to take part in the Iraq war. Therefore they react extremly aggressive on everthing German no matter if it is pro-US or not. The Gitmo-discussion is that important on our side of the Atlantic because a majority of Europeans do not share the will to deal with their prisoners the way the US are doing. This is a simple fact. Until recently we shared the same position concerning human rights with the US. It was easy to be in line with you then. After 9/11 this platform was definitly lost. Merkel as a elected leader of 80.000.000 Europeans has the duty to tell Pres. Bush that something fundamental had changed in our relationship. Doesn't she? Of course they also could drink some coffee together and talk politely about the weather...
Let me say that much: Merkel is serving Germany. I am convinced that she is doing that with all of her heart. Of course she does not serve America or anybody else. We can help each other the best way on those issues were our interests and values are operlapping. Therefore the discussion with Germany about Gitmo is nessecary if America wants to have a bigger contribution to its global war on terror from us than recently.
I think you have inadvertently put your finger on it. You refer to it as America's war on terrorism. Do we need to remind you that London and Madrid have also been victims of terrorist attacks? Do we need to remind you that many of 9/11 terrorists hatched their plans in Hamburg, Germany? Or that none of their accomplices have been convicted in German courts for conspiracy?
Europe treats the war on terrorism as an overreaction by Americans and that fighting Islamofascists is a police matter. One must only react to terrorist acts after the fact--that is the European approach. Since you do not believe it is a war, you cannot accept the need for a Guantanamo. We believe this is a war on Western Civilization. If Europe is happy to sink into dhimmitude, so be it.
Sadly, Merkel knows not of what she speaks. These were not people randomly rounded up. They were caught fighting us in Afghanistan. Many of those already released from Guantanamo have been recaptured fighting us again. You go your way and we will go ours.
I am reminded of the words of Samuel Adams, an American patriot at the time of our Revolutionary War (where like today Germans fought on both sides),
"If ye love wealth greater than liberty, the tranquility of servitude greater than the animating contest for freedom, go home from us in peace. We seek not your counsel, nor your arms. Crouch down and lick the hand that feeds you. May your chains set lightly upon you, and may posterity forget that you were our countrymen."
That is Europe's choice, good luck and good riddance.