It was April Fools’ Day, and so I naturally assumed that the good people at BBC were having a bit of fun when I read the headline “Guantanamo ‘fun’—Miss Universe”. As the BBC reported on the adventures of Miss Universe Dayana Mendoza, co-national of the always colorful and U.S.-bashing Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez:
Ms Mendoza visited the camp along with Miss USA, Crystal Stewart, for several days and recounted her experiences in her blog.
It was an “incredible experience” she said.
“We hung out with the guys from the East Coast and they showed us the boat inside and out, how they work and what they do, we took a ride around the land and it was a loooot of fun!
“We also met the Military dogs, and they did a very nice demonstration of their skills. All the guys from the Army were amazing with us.
“We visited the Detainees camps and we saw the jails, where they shower, how they recreate themselves with movies, classes of art, books. It was very interesting.”
She goes on to extol the virtues of the water around the bay – “soooo beautiful!” – and ends her entry: “I didn’t want to leave, it was such a relaxing place, so calm and beautiful.”
Sadly, this cluelessness did indeed transpire. Of all the U.S. military bases around the world to visit, I wonder what bright light decided to move an infamous detention facility to the top of the beauties’ itinerary? Miss Universe’s post was removed after an unflattering response across the universe.
