I grew up being taught that America is the best country in the world- kind, compassionate, a bellwether for freedom, opportunity, and democracy. Imagine my dismay when I discover in my middle age that none of those things have been true for the past eight years. Despite the repeated and vociferous assertions by Our Glorious and Benevolent Leader © that “America does not torture”, it would appear that neither are we willing to renounce torture. In summation, we don’t torture (Or do we?), but we’d like to reserve the right to do so should the need ever arise. And the person who would ultimately decide if the need has arisen is the same sorry excuse for a human being President who’s stolen two elections and lied/propaganidized America into a war that has nothing to do with the war on terror.
The lies assertions of The Worst President EVER © notwithstanding, it would appear that there’s ample evidence that America does indeed engage in torture. That it’s done offshore to avoid incovenient laws and the prying eyes of the press and Congress only serves to make it that much more reprehensible.
STILL glad you voted Republican? Don’t you wish everyone would??
Saying that I’m ashamed of my country is not something that comes easily. I love America, and I’m proud to have been blessed with the privilege of carrying an American passport. Having said that, though, I cannot in good faith accept the torture of fellow human beings in the name of the never-ending, anything-we-want-it-to-be war on terror. Though those involved in torture and those sanctioning it may argue that torture will ultimately save American lives, I can’t help but wonder at what cost to our humanity? This assumes, of course, that torture in fact does save American lives- an argument I don’t believe holds water.
We’re better than this, aren’t we? Hasn’t part of the claim to being the best place in the world always been the example we set by our compassion and our involvement in trying to make the world a better place? And how can torture possibly convince the rest of the world that America is a kind, compassionate, and benevolent place?
How does maintaining an officially sanctioned house of torture and abuse of human rights in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba (and who knows where else around the world) advance the argument that America is a humane place where all who want it have opportunity and freedom? Must we kill the patient in order to save her? I’m not going to argue that the cure is worse than the disease. Nonetheless, if we descend to employing torture and oppression to protect America, I really think one could argue that the terrorists have achieved their aim. Islamofascist zealots who hate freedom have created enough fear in us that we’re winning to acquiesce in the narrowing of our own freedoms. Even worse, we’re willing to employ inhumane and indecent methods to deprive others of their human rights in the name of protecting America from terrorism.
After the end of WWII, Allied troops marched German civilians through Nazi death camps to show them the horrors they had acquiesced to through their silent complicity. America is now in a similar position when it comes to torture. We know it’s happening, and yet neither Congress nor the general public has raised their voice in protest. Are we complicit through our silence acquiescence? How could we not be?
I’m not ashamed to be an American, but I am ashamed of my country. We’re better than this- and WE DESERVE BETTER.
