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May 18, 2007

Fear and Torture Changing America's Character

Two former military leaders have penned a great piece on fear, torture, and who we are as Americans. Charles C. Krulak was commandant of the Marine Corps from 1995 to 1999 and Joseph P. Hoar was commander in chief of U.S. Central Command from 1991 to 1994. Their piece, "US policy on terror breeds new enemies," probably won't win them any friends in the White House, but it's a very insightful analysis of what the politics of fear has done to this country.

We have served in combat; we understand the reality of fear and the havoc it can wreak if left unchecked or fostered. Fear breeds panic, and it can lead people and nations to act in ways inconsistent with their character.

The American people are understandably fearful about another attack like the one we sustained on Sept 11, 2001. But it is the duty of the commander in chief to lead the country away from the grip of fear, not into its grasp. Regrettably, at Tuesday night’s presidential debate in South Carolina, several Republican candidates revealed a stunning failure to understand this most basic obligation. Indeed, among the candidates, only John McCain demonstrated that he understands the close connection between our security and our values as a nation.

Their indictment of torture could not be more appropriately timed. A new survey shows that Marines are more likely than other soldiers to condone torture. Fewer than half would report a member of their unit for killing or wounding an innocent civilian and 39% support the use of torture to gain information from insurgents. We also have disturbing testimony from a marine in a pretrial hearing in the 2005 Haditha killings and cover-up. Krulak and Hoar explain why Americans need an attitude adjustment forthwith:

Right now, White House lawyers are working up new rules that will govern what CIA interrogators can do to prisoners in secret. Those rules will set the standard not only for the CIA, but also for what kind of treatment captured American soldiers can expect from their captors, now and in future wars. Before the president once again approves a policy of official cruelty, he should reflect on that.

It is time for us to remember who we are and approach this enemy with energy, judgment and confidence that we will prevail. That is the path to security, and back to ourselves.

I would certainly like to see us return to the days when we could hold our heads high, knowing that we did not torture or abuse prisoners, but rather respected human rights and human life. If we lose that aspect of ourselves, then we have lost what makes America great.

Posted by Becky at May 18, 2007 11:32 AM