I have, over the years, taken an absolutist position on torture and have posted many stories about Americas involvement in the vile practice during the Bush years. While I had absolutely no love for that Administration, this to me is not a partisan thing. Had Clinton, Obama or any other Democratic president and his subordinates order and sanction torture I would be just as depressed and outraged. Civilized nations Do. Not. Torture. Period. There can be no equivocation on this. This isnt about fighting with one arm tied behind your back. This isnt about revenge and giving the bad guys what they deserved. This is not about knowing you are better than those others who torture, behead and mutilate - and yet doing the same thing. This isnt about some juvenile display of masculinity and showing how much tougher you are than the enemy. This isnt about some ticking time bomb scenario after 9/11 since many of these cases happened many years after the fact. This is about the fact that there is no more cowardly, vile and disgusting an act than to violate the humanity of those whom you have under your complete control, and in the process violating your own. This is about the fact that not only were bad guys tortured but also dozens of innocents, who happened be the victims of vengeful misinformation or mistaken identity. This is about upholding solemn treaty obligations, freely entered into, and being true to your word. This is about not becoming what you most despise in those who oppose you. This is about not providing ammunition for jihadist recruitment and the hypocritical finger wagging of China, North Korea, Russia and Iran. This is at the core essence of being human. I have, and will continue to post stories surrounding this depressing and terrifying episode, knowing that it wasnt just the US, but the UK, Poland, Thailand and many other allies who were complicit, either actively or by turning a blind eye. And a national security apparatus which is out of control, resisting any meaningful oversight, fighting openly with the Congressional committees tasked with monitoring its behavior - and spying on and lying to these same Committees to prevent inquiry into their activities. This is a direct, dangerous and continuing threat to the democratic form of government.
Posted on: Sat, 13 Dec 2014 09:34:24 +0000
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