Re the Herald’s Verdict: Thank You, Anders Gyllenhaal

Surprise—today I’m gonna sing the praises of the only Gyllenhaal in the world actually, you know, qualified to discuss Guantánamo Bay Detention Center, and that is Executive Editor of the Miami Herald Anders Gyllenhaal, great-grandson of the esteemed Swedish-American newspaperman of the same name and, oh yeah, Stephen “Mister-President-You-Must-Not-Close-Gitmo” Gyllenhaal’s younger brother.

[Reporter Carol Rosenberg]

Through the daring and unflagging coverage of reporters like Carol Rosenberg, the Herald has been the go-to newspaper for breaking stories from America’s worst prisoner camp since Andersonville. For four years, despite threats, physical danger and the upper military echelon’s attempts to bar her from Guantánamo, Rosenberg has managed to regularly file stories of mistreatment, corruption, dissention, and worse.

So what was the military’s latest tactic to have Rosenberg removed? Get this: Sexual harassment. No, not that Rosenberg was harassed, but that she was the harasser—specifically of one US Navy Commander Jeffrey Gordon. Her method of harassment? Salty language. Imagine that—in a fit of provocation/anger, using vulgar words to a sailor! Here’s a small sample of the kind of talk at her end of an exchange concerning sexual abuse on the base:

“Have you ever had a red hot poker shoved up your ass? Have you ever had a broomstick shoved up your ass? Have you ever had anything in your ass? How would you know how it feels if it never happened to you?”

(Ass, of course, being rendered a** in US newspapers.)

Say Rosenberg’s colleagues:

“This is an attempt to discredit a journalist who has managed to transcend incredible odds to cover a story of tremendous significance to the American public.” ~Carol Williams, Reporter, Los Angeles Times

“I didn’t think there was any sort of sexual abuse, unless you’re telling me a naval officer, a sailor, isn’t used to hearing anatomical references in anger.” ~Jamie McIntyre, former CNN Pentagon correspondent

“Navy spokesman Jeffrey Gordon’s sexual harassment complaint against Ms. Rosenberg and his allegation that Ms. Rosenberg has ’abused him worse than the detainees have been abused’ defies reality.” ~Stacy Sullivan, Counterterrorism Adviser, Human Rights Watch

Defies reality—no kidding.

Thankfully and righteously, after an internal review, the Herald today just exonerated Rosenberg of any wrongdoing.

On July 22, Commander Gordon had sent Exec Editor Gyllenhaal a formal complaint, claiming Rosenberg had repeatedly degraded him in front of others. Gordon also complained that Rosenberg had insinuated that he is gay.

Her “vile and repulsive comments were not made in a lighthearted joking tone, but rather were delivered with harsh invective,” Gordon wrote.

His complaint prompted dozens of people familiar with the never-easy relationship between Gordon and Rosenberg to contact The Miami Herald to support Rosenberg, said Gyllenhaal. “We even heard from generals.” But after weighing the evidence he said, “We could not help but conclude that this is a relationship between two people that has gotten off track.”

Anders, again, thanks.