When does it become OK to ignore our Constitution just because others have done it? Michael Ratkovich would have us believe that any time is perfectly acceptable (“Cuba detainees are being treated fairly,” SN 2/4).

Apparently, because those being held at Camp X-Ray in Cuba did something deplorable and reprehensible, this gives us permission to do the same. While it is true what they are accused of doing is the worst attack I have ever seen, it does not give us permission to treat them no better than caged animals.

By taking the exact same moral standards they have, we are committing an atrocity like they have. Just because they did it first doesn’t make our response right.

Because those who are being held in Cuba could be punished under a corrupt war tribunal, Ratkovich feels their rights against cruel and unusual punishment are exempt because that’s what God wants. Last time I checked, God - in any noncorrupt form of religion - never advocated killing anyone. I don’t think God wants us to “eliminate every single one of them before they eliminate us.” This sort of blind-eye fanaticism led us into this spot.

Ratkovich feels God wanting us to “eliminate every single one of them” means he wants to do the work of God. Now who sounds like a radical fundamentalist?