Please Vote for My Guantánamo Article to Win the 3 Quarks Daily Prize for Best Blog Article
8.12.11
Last week, my friend Louise Gordon nominated an article of mine, “Mocking the Law, Judges Rule that Evidence Is Not Necessary to Hold Insignificant Guantánamo Prisoners for the Rest of Their Lives,” for the 2011 3 Quarks Daily Prize in Politics and Social Science, which also includes a cash prize of one thousand dollars.
I wrote the article in March, examining, and pouring scorn on the right-wing judges in the D.C. Circuit Court, who have been overturning rulings granting Guantánamo prisoners’ habeas petitions in the lower court, and who have been doing so not because the trial judges were at fault, but for nakedly ideological reasons. This is an ongoing story of great significance, which is generally not given the coverage it deserves in the mainstream media.
I’m up against some stiff competition, from 55 other articles — and particularly from a handful of the other articles that are attracting support, so please, if you like my work, vote for “Mocking the Law, Judges Rule that Evidence Is Not Necessary to Hold Insignificant Guantánamo Prisoners for the Rest of Their Lives.”
The page for voting is here — and I thank you in advance. My article is 8th on the list as you scroll down, and all you have to do is click on the bullet point next to it, and then click “vote” at the bottom of the page. It couldn’t be easier! Voting closes at midnight on December 10, and the final decision, to choose a winner from the 20 most voted for articles, will be taken by Stephen M. Walt, Professor of International Affairs at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government. The winners (there are also second and third prizes of $300 and $200) will be announced on December 19.
Andy Worthington is the author of The Guantánamo Files: The Stories of the 774 Detainees in America’s Illegal Prison (published by Pluto Press, distributed by Macmillan in the US, and available from Amazon — click on the following for the US and the UK) and of two other books: Stonehenge: Celebration and Subversion and The Battle of the Beanfield. To receive new articles in your inbox, please subscribe to my RSS feed (and I can also be found on Facebook, Twitter, Digg and YouTube). Also see my definitive Guantánamo prisoner list, updated in June 2011, “The Complete Guantánamo Files,” a 70-part, million-word series drawing on files released by WikiLeaks in April 2011, and details about the documentary film, “Outside the Law: Stories from Guantánamo” (co-directed by Polly Nash and Andy Worthington, and available on DVD here — or here for the US). Also see my definitive Guantánamo habeas list and the chronological list of all my articles, and, if you appreciate my work, feel free to make a donation.
Who's still at Guantánamo?
85 Responses
Andy Worthington says...
On Facebook, Dave Rendle wrote:
voted….. For your good self, regards.
...on December 8th, 2011 at 2:30 pm
Andy Worthington says...
Deepak Tripathi wrote:
Done!
...on December 8th, 2011 at 2:30 pm
Andy Worthington says...
Waris Ali wrote:
Its Done!
...on December 8th, 2011 at 2:31 pm
Andy Worthington says...
Tutta Labella wrote:
Done 🙂
...on December 8th, 2011 at 2:31 pm
Andy Worthington says...
Naveed Syed wrote:
All the best
...on December 8th, 2011 at 2:31 pm
Andy Worthington says...
Thank you, my friends. Your support is very much appreciated.
...on December 8th, 2011 at 2:34 pm
Andy Worthington says...
Debra Sweet wrote:
I voted and hope everyone else who did also SHARES Andy’s ask.
...on December 8th, 2011 at 3:32 pm
Andy Worthington says...
Ahmad Belal wrote:
Done Andy : ) All da best…………
...on December 8th, 2011 at 3:32 pm
Andy Worthington says...
Natalia Rivera Scott wrote:
I just voted. Good luck!
...on December 8th, 2011 at 3:33 pm
Andy Worthington says...
Thank you, my friends. Please keep voting and encouraging your friends to vote! I think it’s in about 13th position now, which should mean it gets shortlisted, but I’m guessing that the more votes it has the more it will catch the judge’s eye!
...on December 8th, 2011 at 3:36 pm
Andy Worthington says...
Debra Sweet wrote:
Andy, I have 1,578 mutual friends with you. I just asked them all to support your work, and vote for you to win the Daily Politics & Social Science Prize. No one writer has done more for the cause of releasing the prisoners from indefinite detention, than you. And…I’ll be seeing you in a month in NYC!
...on December 8th, 2011 at 3:38 pm
Andy Worthington says...
Thanks, Debra, for the supportive words and the encouragement. And yes, I’m excited that I’ll be seeing you in a month’s time. More information to follow soon!
...on December 8th, 2011 at 3:40 pm
Andy Worthington says...
Karen Jedlowski wrote:
Voted / Good Luck!
...on December 8th, 2011 at 3:47 pm
Andy Worthington says...
Thanks, Karen!
...on December 8th, 2011 at 3:48 pm
Andy Worthington says...
Sue Glenton wrote:
27 so far
...on December 8th, 2011 at 7:18 pm
Andy Worthington says...
Louise Gordon wrote:
29 now!
...on December 8th, 2011 at 7:19 pm
Andy Worthington says...
Mary Braunch ·wrote:
voted
...on December 8th, 2011 at 7:19 pm
Andy Worthington says...
37 votes now! Thank you, my friends.
...on December 8th, 2011 at 7:20 pm
Andy Worthington says...
Lina Thorne wrote:
Vote for Andy Worthington! Today!
...on December 8th, 2011 at 8:33 pm
Andy Worthington says...
Thanks, Lina!
...on December 8th, 2011 at 8:33 pm
Andy Worthington says...
Zeke Smith wrote:
voted. i think. the buttons were a little confusing. i’ll double check.
...on December 8th, 2011 at 8:34 pm
Andy Worthington says...
Thanks, Zeke!
...on December 8th, 2011 at 8:34 pm
Andy Worthington says...
Dessie Harris wrote:
Andy, thanks for all your hard work, you are an amazing and most brave man. Just voted for you. God bless.
...on December 8th, 2011 at 8:34 pm
Andy Worthington says...
Thank you, Dessie. That’s very kind.
...on December 8th, 2011 at 8:35 pm
Andy Worthington says...
Thank you, everyone. 68 votes now! 120 will take the lead — that’s no guarantee that it will win, as it’s up to the judge, Professor Stephen Walt, but it will surely help!
...on December 8th, 2011 at 8:45 pm
Andy Worthington says...
David J. Clarke wrote:
Hope you get there Andy. Your perseverance and dedication to exposing injustice should itself be a mitigating factor in your favour. The highest ideal in all endeavors should be for the benefit of others.
...on December 8th, 2011 at 10:26 pm
Andy Worthington says...
George Kenneth Berger wrote:
I just voted for you….twice, by mistake.
...on December 8th, 2011 at 10:27 pm
Andy Worthington says...
Thanks, David. That’s very kind. And George, that’s torn it! A double vote? They’ll have me banned! (Just kidding)
...on December 8th, 2011 at 10:27 pm
Andy Worthington says...
Silvia Mourelle wrote:
Done, from Buenos Aires, Argentina 🙂
...on December 8th, 2011 at 10:42 pm
Andy Worthington says...
Thank you, Silvia. Great to hear from you.
...on December 8th, 2011 at 10:42 pm
Andy Worthington says...
Donna Ellison wrote:
Done.
...on December 8th, 2011 at 11:53 pm
Andy Worthington says...
Hala Ali wrote:
Done. Good luck Andy!
...on December 8th, 2011 at 11:55 pm
Andy Worthington says...
Thanks, Donna and Hala. 111 votes now! Just six more to take the lead — although I reiterate that the final decision is down to the judge, Professor Stephen Walt.
...on December 8th, 2011 at 11:55 pm
Andy Worthington says...
121 votes. Thanks, everyone. Next stop: 150!
...on December 9th, 2011 at 12:25 am
Andy Worthington says...
Hijab Hijabi wrote:
ATTENTION!! I need a favour 🙂 Just one click;
Vote to help Andy win the 3 Quarks Daily Politics & Social Science Prize. It would be good recognition for an AMAZING journalist. Amongst many things, he works very hard to bring out the reality of Guantanamo bay and helps our brothers who are residing there.
Please vote for the article about the scandalously under-reported success of appeals court judges in killing off habeas corpus for the Guantanamo prisoners.
Join his page: Andy Worthington
...on December 9th, 2011 at 12:32 am
Andy Worthington says...
Mahfuja Bint Ammu wrote:
done!
...on December 9th, 2011 at 12:35 am
Andy Worthington says...
Oliver Sidorczuk wrote:
Please support the work of a friend of the LSESU Amnesty International, Andy Worthington, director of “Outside the Law: Stories from Guantánamo”. Take five seconds to vote for his article, “Mocking the Law, Judges Rule that Evidence Is Not Necessary to Hold Insignificant Guantánamo Prisoners for the Rest of Their Lives,” for the 2011 3 Quarks Daily Prize – then read it!
...on December 9th, 2011 at 12:40 am
Andy Worthington says...
Zubaida Canim wrote:
Done, its looking good, Andy 🙂
...on December 9th, 2011 at 1:02 am
Andy Worthington says...
Thanks, Zubaida. Yes, it’s taken the lead in the popular vote, with 132 votes. Most of all, though, I hope it’s introducing new readers to my work. Although there are many horrendous injustices regarding Guantanamo, a biased court, delivering binding rulings based on ideology, and not on the facts, reversing or vacating lower courts’ rulings for unjustifiable reasons, abusing lower court judges and demanding that they revise the bases of their judgments, AND getting away with it, is a major disgrace — and yet few Americans know or care about it.
...on December 9th, 2011 at 1:02 am
Andy Worthington says...
Ann Alexander wrote:
Voted Andy and will ensure that Rab votes too. Also my sister and my friends who have internet access. Good luck. You deserve it.
...on December 9th, 2011 at 1:07 am
Andy Worthington says...
Thanks, Ann. I’d be delighted to win, of course, but mainly, I have to say, as a good way of reaching out to a new audience.
...on December 9th, 2011 at 1:08 am
Andy Worthington says...
Ann Alexander wrote:
I agree Andy. I know that the main thing is your desire to enlighten others but you also deserve the award.
...on December 9th, 2011 at 1:11 am
Andy Worthington says...
That’s very kind.
...on December 9th, 2011 at 1:12 am
Andy Worthington says...
Ann Alexander also wrote:
Anyone who knows Andy Worthington’s work will agree that he deserves our vote. It will take less than a minute. Andy deserves this award and the cash will be useful too. Please vote for Andy –
And there is a time limit. December 10, 2011
Public voting ends at 11:59 PM (NYC time).
So vote NOW.
...on December 9th, 2011 at 1:23 am
Andy Worthington says...
Hawa Loonat wrote:
Voted and Liked Your Page, Brilliant Work! 🙂
...on December 9th, 2011 at 1:24 am
Andy Worthington says...
Thank you, Hawa. Much appreciated.
...on December 9th, 2011 at 1:24 am
Andy Worthington says...
Abzee Alom wrote:
hello, just voted for ur wrk, everyone seems to b biggin u up, u seem like a nice person, plz share ur prize money when u win, ta-ra!
...on December 9th, 2011 at 12:29 pm
Andy Worthington says...
Ha! OK, all welcome at mine if I win, for a big party! Thanks, Abzee. Good to hear from you.
...on December 9th, 2011 at 12:29 pm
Andy Worthington says...
182 votes now! Can we get to 200? Thanks to everyone who’s been voting and sharing this.
...on December 9th, 2011 at 12:35 pm
Andy Worthington says...
Jackie Sherman wrote:
clicked.. 🙂
...on December 9th, 2011 at 5:37 pm
Andy Worthington says...
Thanks, Jackie. 192 votes now. Can we get to 200, before the end of the day?
...on December 9th, 2011 at 5:38 pm
Andy Worthington says...
Thank you, thank you, thank you, my friends. 244 votes! That’s over 20 percent of the total, and a clear lead for the article. I hope the judge appreciates it!
...on December 10th, 2011 at 2:01 am
ali says...
done
...on December 10th, 2011 at 8:37 am
Andy Worthington says...
David J. Clarke wrote:
I had been getting just a little cynical about the utility of fb …this is more like it!
...on December 10th, 2011 at 11:27 am
Andy Worthington says...
Thanks, David. That’s very reassuring.
...on December 10th, 2011 at 11:27 am
Andy Worthington says...
And thanks, Ali.
...on December 10th, 2011 at 11:29 am
Jalebi says...
What will u do with the money ?????
...on December 13th, 2011 at 8:41 pm
Andy Worthington says...
Well, I’d use it to fund my work, Jalebi — if I were to win, that is.
...on December 13th, 2011 at 8:44 pm
Jalebi says...
Now this prize money fever is over, is ur heartbeat regular now? Is ur blood pressure normal? you wanted this money so badly, I can hear violent sobs racking ur whole body. Cursing that bald professor?? That slaphead hasn’t been very fair to u, has he?
...on December 19th, 2011 at 9:42 am
Andy Worthington says...
I could think of nicer ways of finding out that I didn’t win this competition, “Jalebi,” but I’d thank you not to make slurs against me. A friend of mine nominated me, so I publicized it, but it doesn’t bother me that I didn’t win.
...on December 19th, 2011 at 11:19 am
Julaibee says...
Calm down Andy. Say cheese. Why are you so mad at me? I was just commiserating with you. Was trying to cheer you up so that u don’t feel bad about it. what’s wrong in that? You wanted to win the money for your noble cause so what if you didn’t win, better luck next time. that’s not the end of the world. Winning a competition is not essential to show the world that you are good enough.
You got me wrong sir, My humble, deepest, sincere apologies if my comment hurt you.
...on December 19th, 2011 at 2:03 pm
Andy Worthington says...
OK, then, thanks for the apology.
...on December 19th, 2011 at 2:18 pm
Arlene Camphor says...
Sorry Andy you didn’t win. But please don’t take it to heart.
...on December 19th, 2011 at 6:56 pm
Zach Moore says...
Don’t count your chickens before they are hatched. Hahaha. Andy don’t participate in any other competition. It is very difficult to cope with losing and eventually the disappointment. You should have withdrawn your name as soon as it was nominated. And look how this whole episode left you in a foul mood. Please don’t pounce on me (like Jalaibee)and don’t hit the roof.
...on December 19th, 2011 at 7:26 pm
Andy Worthington says...
Thanks, Arlene, and Zach, I’m really not that bothered. I took exception to the comments, because they appeared to be antagonistic.
...on December 19th, 2011 at 7:57 pm
Oliver Conway says...
What about your son and wife, what was their reaction?Are they disappointed too? since you were almost sure to win?
...on December 20th, 2011 at 5:17 pm
Andy Worthington says...
Discussing my family is absolutely not relevant to my work, Oliver. And there was no way I was “almost sure to win.” I was nominated by people who liked my work, so that as the results went forward to the judge I had the largest number of votes, but that was all. It didn’t mean anything, beyond getting me through to the judging stage. I really do have better things to do with my life than dwell on this.
...on December 20th, 2011 at 5:41 pm
Oliver Conway says...
Andy I was not discussing your family, I was only asking to sympathize – there’s no need to bite my head off!
We supported u all the way in this, and now your benign tone has changed altogether. Why don’t you remove this page if you are so belligerent and churlish. And I offer no apologies for speaking my mind.
...on December 20th, 2011 at 6:54 pm
Christie says...
Oliver give him some time, he’ll recover. You must understand how he must be feeling. We are all like that sometimes, wanting to be left alone. Any attempt to brighten somebody is met with a rebuff.
...on December 20th, 2011 at 7:15 pm
Andy Worthington says...
My apologies. I’m not trying to bite anyone’s head off. I’m obviously just misinterpreting a lot of comments at the moment.
...on December 20th, 2011 at 9:50 pm
Marianne says...
I second you Christie, he certainly needs a break.
...on December 21st, 2011 at 8:06 am
Aldrich Blackwell says...
Stupid people, he needed you only when he needed your votes, now he does not want anything to do with you, don’t u morons get that. Every one foolishly assumes that he is an agony uncle. You guys really deserve another snub from him.
...on December 21st, 2011 at 9:32 am
Shea Hughes says...
Andy jalebi is ready to auscultate you and do your blood pressure and ECG. Lucky you Andy, lady providing free medical services to you. Wish I were that lucky.
...on December 21st, 2011 at 9:45 am
Aneena says...
Andy, people are asking because they are concerned about you. I don’t know about you but all these people who know you through your work feel that they are (like) your extended family. We care about you just as if you were a family member.
Competition or no competition I have the same kind of affection for you as I have for my dad and my brother.
...on December 22nd, 2011 at 9:45 am
Andy Worthington says...
Thank you. I really am sorry If I misinterpreted people’s comments. I’m probably a bit sensitive because I’ve had to put up with some personal attacks lately.
...on December 22nd, 2011 at 4:51 pm
Veena Malik says...
Andy my adorable brother, my chicken, my goat, a big smooch for you. Please don’t feel hurt, If you’re hurt we’ll be in pain too. That’s the difference between a friend and a sibling.
...on December 22nd, 2011 at 7:56 pm
Andy Worthington says...
Thank you. That made me laugh — and that’s most welcome right now. I also have a terrible cold, and have been sleeping most of the last three days. Working too hard …
Season’s greetings, everyone!
...on December 22nd, 2011 at 8:05 pm
Veena Malik says...
Oh thank you Andy! you made my day☼. Sis☃ is always there for you. I have flu too. Get well soon. Your smile my lovely is joyous than the lights on the Christmas tree.
...on December 23rd, 2011 at 3:25 pm
Andy Worthington says...
Get well, Veena, and Season’s Greetings to everyone, wherever you are.
...on December 23rd, 2011 at 8:57 pm
Daniel Stuart says...
Hi Andy don’t seem to be in a biting mood anymore. Thanks to these lovely ladies who managed to disarm you. Siblings do play an important part in your life. By your, I mean all of us not just you. So scared of your temper that have to explain everything.
...on December 24th, 2011 at 3:26 pm
Peter Tryon says...
Andy do you have any brothers or sisters? (plz don’t mind not discussing your family, just asking)
...on December 24th, 2011 at 3:31 pm
Natalie says...
Happy Christmas, Andy are a christian? do u celebrate christmas, do u go to church to receive blessings?
...on December 24th, 2011 at 4:00 pm
Sophia Qazi says...
Andy your attitude with those whom show intimacy with you is like don’t come too close. You don’t seem a very warm person, you are quite taciturn. Y do you want to keep a distance? You never reciprocate, why is that?
...on December 24th, 2011 at 4:23 pm
Garcia says...
We want to know everything about you from A to Z, not just hearsay. Y r u so secretive, “i don’t want to discuss this i don’t want to discuss that”. Your life should be like an open book before us. The more you hide the more curious people become. If you suffered tell us about it and how you came through, so other people can benefit from your experience, you should be open about it.
Don’t tear me apart for saying all this. I think you should by now learn to trust your well wishers.
...on December 24th, 2011 at 4:45 pm
Ian Smith says...
Worthington we are glad to help the prisoners but we are not ready to replenish your coffers. You are cashing in on the prisoners’s plight. You are too artful.
...on December 28th, 2011 at 3:43 pm