Political Evolution

No person maintains the exact same political outlook throughout a lifetime. Well, no thinking person does anyway.


My political evolution has been as awkward and varied as anyone's. I have dabbled in a variety of political schools of thought ranging from the weird to, I hope, the well-reasoned. I decided to track my political evolution from the beginning to illustrate for you, and analyze for myself, how I landed where I stand today.


FIRST POLITICAL MEMORIES


My very first memory involving politics was a classroom election between Ronald Reagan and Walter Mondale. I distinctly remember being one of the very, very few who voted for Mondale. Why? I wish I could say it was because I agreed with his stance on the issues of the mid-80s, but in reality I was absolutely voting "against the grain." l just remember that everyone was for Reagan, so I rebelled. It may be the only truly rebellious act of my youth. I was 8 years old, so I have no idea why I voted for milk over juice let alone presidential candidates.



I have vivid memory of the 1988 election and even remember the famous Willy Horton advertisement that made Dukakis seem like a friend to felons. I really never knew anything about the politics or issues of the day, but the ugly side came into full view. I remember Bush saying that you could tell when you got to Boston because you could smell Boston Harbor. I remember Dukakis being mocked for posing with a tank and looking rather silly in a combat helmet. I remember those topics dominating debate so much that I didn't feel alone in not understanding the issues.


Perhaps most influential to my early thinking was that much of my dad’s family thanks Franklin Delano Roosevelt for saving them in the wake of the Great Depression. My great-grandfather Eddie Renz was put to work by the New Deal and my family's oral history included heart-felt words of gratitude for FDR. Whenever anyone tells me WWII and not the New Deal broke the Great Depression, I can't help but call up the memory I have of my great-grandmother Mollie telling me that FDR and the New Deal programs saved them first.

DA MAN!

The lesson that would remain a constant: People matter above all else.



FINDING MY WAY


It wasn't until the 1992 election that I finally began to follow politics with some sort of ideology.


I remember talking about the upcoming election with my father during the first Iraq War. We both agreed that some poor Democrat would get slaughtered as Bush's approval ratings soared toward the 90s. By this time I was starting to understand the inherent differences between Democrats and Republicans.

Smart Bush

When I think back to my early political thoughts, the differences seemed so simple. To a high school student, everything is simple.


I quickly realized that Republicans tended toward a belief in the inherent ability of everyone to pull him or herself up by the bootstraps. Republicans seemed to be the more militant bunch. They obviously placed ultimate faith in the private, profit-driven sector and seemed intent on influencing, and often punishing, the moral decisions of the nation. I started to accept what were the common perceptions of the time; for example that Republicans were somehow better at foreign policy by just being Republicans.


I learned that Democrats believed in community and that many mistook that for socialistic tendencies. I learned that there was a perception that, as idealists, Democrats tended to be weaker on foreign policy issues. I also felt like the Democrats would stand up for the little guy. And, above all else, that gave them a leg up in my book. Again, to a high school student, these matters are fairly - indeed overly - simplified.


As a high school student: Democrat = Robin Hood... Republican = Ebenezer Scrooge... Such things are never as simple as when summed up in a young mind.


At any rate, I remember discovering these differences and began to ease my way toward a political identity. Little did I know at the time that the road would be long, winding and varied.


WHAT DOES DAD THINK?


For the record, my father never admitted to a political affiliation. I do not doubt he was registered with one of the parties (I suspect I know which one, but cannot say for certain). I remember that he was hesitant about telling me who he voted for in 1988 (I was 12 at the time). For whatever reason, I remember saying to him, "you didn't vote for Bush, did you?" I remember him grumbling about not wanting to discuss it. I cannot say who he voted for, but I just kind of deduced for myself that he voted for Bush. Considering that I was 12 at the time, take that deduction for what it's worth.


To his credit, my father NEVER told me who he was going to vote for. I also "deduced" that he voted for Perot in 1992. I remember him being somewhat passionate about Perot and even driving to work with his lights on (a Perot symbol of support on election day). Still, he never told me, and by then I knew not to ask.


Although I always knew my father as someone on the side of the little guy who cared for people, his apparent voting habits confused me. I know he never displayed much love for Reagan, but his preferences were not tied to party.


THE TURNING POINT


When the 1992 election came around, I latched onto Bill Clinton. I remember feeling like it was important to have the next generation come in, and Clinton was the first candidate I can remember who was "hip." He was on MTV answering a question about boxers and briefs, played the saxophone and debated like a lion. Bush played the part of the establishment candidate perfectly while Clinton displayed the kind of sharp wit you cannot teach. It was the critical analysis and high-voltage brain power of Clinton vs. the "because I said so" mentality of George Bush as the old guard WWII generation.

Sax Machine!

I never disliked George Bush, Sr. Had I possessed a more in-depth understanding of politics at the time (I was now 16), I would have found more to disagree with him about. Still, I happily consented to live under Bush Sr. In the aftermath of the Iraq War, I decided to trust his judgment as sound because he waged a war with the support of allies, succeeded, and managed not turn it into another quagmire. I remember how happy everyone was that we finally had a "positive" and popular war outcome and escaped the shadow of Vietnam. I’m not sure war is ever truly positive, but I did not feel it was waged recklessly, and that counts for something. I felt like George Bush presented a dignified face to the world on behalf of our country and I thought he surrounded himself with good and smart people (See Baker, James III).


Still, by 1992, there was a feeling like, because the war was over and domestic policies needed tending, it was time to change things up. I consider the '92 election as less a repudiation of Bush than an embracing of Clinton. I know Perot took Republican votes, but, as we would discover later (See Nader, Ralph), that happens sometimes.



Despite my fondness for Clinton in '92, I remember losing track of politics for most of the Clinton presidency. Ironically, it was during the Clinton years in office that I dabbled in Republican ideas.


Show me the Knuckle!

A RIGHT TURN


I gladly voted for Clinton again in '96 because I felt he earned re-election, and it seemed like the Republicans had conceded that by nominating 856-year-old Bob Dole to challenge him. However, during Clinton’s term, I started to explore the right-of-center territory of politics.


I was pretty uptight for a college student, and began to project my own discipline onto those around me. I remember trying (very ineffectively) to make the argument that we ought to let smokers smoke to their heart's content so that they can make way for the "enlightened" among us. Nothing encourages terrible arguments quite like youth. Obviously, no one will try to take cigarettes away, but my attempt at a Darwinism argument was less than honorable, even for a teenager. How quickly I forgot that we are supposed to care for our fellow man, no matter the cause of his plight.



I did not drink, I did not smoke, I never did drugs (still haven't, amazingly enough), and I expected the same from everyone else. I also began to feel like anyone could just go to school like I did and make a better life for him or herself. If I could do it, anyone could, right? I conveniently ignored the help I got, the support I enjoyed, the discipline I was taught, and all the other advantages I had. That led to “give people the opportunity to learn to fish and let them starve or not” state of mind. Ironically, even though I don’t care as much about the “hot button” social issues, I was somewhat “socially conservative” if only against vice.


In other ways, I remain a bit conservative. I have always believed that fiscal responsibility is important. Back then, I started to see the over-spending of the Democrats as antithetical to that. (for those not familiar with what is now apparently ancient history... Republicans used to stand for fiscal responsibility).


I remember even deciding that I would change my registration to Republican. I had walked to the edge of the plank and I stared over the edge. I remember even consciously deciding to give the conservative side one last final look before making that plunge. I purposely sought out conservative ideological reading material and listened to conservative commentary. It was hit-and-miss.


That all changed when Bill Clinton was impeached. I immediately realized how horrible it is to care too much about failures that stem from our human nature. I can remember reading scandalous accounts of cigars and pillow talk in the Denver Post and feeling almost sick to my stomach that we cared so much about those details. Ken Starr ultimately convinced me that the right side of the spectrum was not for me. No one benefits from $70-million investigations about oral sex. Obviously, Clinton made a huge mistake, and I cannot condone it. But the reaction was so vitriolic, unforgiving, political and just ugly that it made me sick.


After a Republican courtship, I decided to register as an Independent. If for no other reason, I just didn't feel comfortable siding with the ones who felt so strongly about a person’s personal life as to take the extraordinary actions taken against Clinton. It was a sign of things to come. Gay marriage, abortion, illegal immigration… From one issue to the next, it just seemed like the right revealed itself as a party that picks at social knits and appealed to the inner fear and loathing some humans feel toward others. That ended my brief Republican experiment.


ROZEK AS GUIDANCE


Professor Edward Rozek, a political science professor with deep conservative roots, remains the best professor I ever had. He led an unbelievable life. He was born in Krakow, Poland and lived there when the Nazis invaded. He then fought as a soldier in the war and eventually made his way to America.


He worked hard and made his way to Harvard. He taught political science for something like 40 years. He challenged his students in unique ways and pulled the very best effort from me. His opinions were harsh regarding communism and its evils. He had worked in the Reagan administration in a capacity I cannot now remember.


But, although his opinions tended to be further right than I had ever ventured, he would always end a lecture by encouraging us to listen to all sides. He taught critical thinking, and even stressed that our own unique designs may also prove equally correct.


Although I respected his intellect, his arguments and everything about him as a teacher, I realized that my beliefs were simply more center than right. And, in many ways, left of center. Still, his insistence on the little things, like not wearing hats in class and not reading the newspaper in class (unheard of rules for a university), also earned my respect.


He remains the best professor I have ever had, and his lessons about how to think have always remained with me. Ironically, he taught me that I was ill-suited for life as a Republican.


OVER-COMPENSATION


Quite frankly, I overcompensated toward the left in law school. I think that had more to do with the worst president this nation has ever seen. To be clear, I was never as far left as some of my classmates, but George W. Bush pushed so far to the right that many of us outside of the very far right had to run in the opposite direction just to balance life.



I was disappointed that W. had won in 2000 because he seemed entirely too cock-sure and did not have the authoritative feel of his father. He had all the aggressive ideas of the old guard without the authoritative experience, credibility and judgment to back it up (see Service, Military – if one is going to take strong military positions, this becomes more important). Still, I did not know just how bad things would be at the time, so I was not overly concerned that Gore had lost in 2000. In truth, I preferred John McCain at that time over all others running. The shell of that man is running again today.


Little did I know that our country’s most controversial election (hanging chads, Supreme Court case, Ralph Nader, etc.) would lead to 8 horrible years for me politically.


I was in law school while the craziest arguments I've ever heard were being made. Arguments I felt were not even privately appropriate were suddenly being made loudly and with the authority of the Presidential Seal.

Division Accomplished

I felt the argument to invade Iraq was insane from the word go... I was deeply offended by the Patriot Act... torture… leaking of CIA identity for political gain… saber rattling… false diplomacy… lack of transparency… I could go on for days. Needless to say, the 2004 election result was the hardest for me to swallow. That one physically hurt. I didn’t get over that election for weeks or months (I’m not completely sure I’m over it today).


I’ve ranted about those issues on these pages already, so I won’t detail them further here. Suffice it to say, I have not been in a political "happy place" for the past 8 years.

Got Fear?

WHERE I STAND


All that said, my stance today is different than before. I’m pretty well moderate with a slight lean to the left as a tip of the hat to my core belief that people matter. Whether you agree or disagree that the left represents people more, that is absolutely my perspective on it.


Still, I’ve become more and more of a political pragmatist. I support Obama’s health care package more because it is designed to pass in today’s political world than because I think it solves all problems. I believe it will address all of the problems, but it has a much better chance of passing into law than any mandated universal package.


Gradualism has its bad points, but, sometimes even a small step forward beats going backward. We've gone backwards for too long. The reality is that too many Republicans are against mandated universal health care to make it possible to become law. That reality necessitates a response. Once the votes are in place, then politicians are free to do what will ultimately further the cause. Until then, reality matters.


The health care debate is just one example, but I see myself considering the reality on the ground more and more.


I am comfortable in my political skin right now. Perhaps I’m more comfortable than ever before. In part, I feel that way because I think about these issues all the time. However, I fully expect my outlook to change as I grow older. The day I stop analysis or stop re-thinking politics will be a sad day and I hope to never experience such a halt.


Ultimately, we all must find our own way. We can only use our own senses to find that way, and it’s important to ask how we got where we are and why we believe what we believe.


I will try to flush out my beliefs on specific topics more in coming posts. The hope is that, by writing them, I will further analyze my reasons and perhaps refine my thinking. Or become emboldened to by own enlightenment… you know, whatever happens.

In the meantime: Vote Obama!

The Future

Thoughts on Parenthood

Sometimes, things don't go as planned.

How does one influence a child to do the right thing? I think that's the ultimate question to ask when discussing parenting, but it could also be beside the point. Any parental theory ultimately seeks an answer to that question, but it almost doesn't matter.

After nearly two years on the parenting job, I'm not sure its possible to influence a child to do what's right. I'm also not sure its impossible. Of course, I'm still a newbie at all this, so I fall short of expert-status on the topic. I have, however, figured out that consistency is crucial and that even a toddler knows when he can get away with something and who will allow such malfeasance. Apparently we're all born with that infernal instinct.

Ultimately, I will try to teach Jacob good judgment, reasoning and logic so that he will have the tools to do that elusive "right thing." What he does with those will ultimately be for him to live with. I realize it's a bit presumptuous to think in such long-term notions before he's out of diapers, but parenting isn't supposed to be a temp job, so please allow my indulgence.

Jen and I happen to believe Jacob is a really well-behaved kid... most of the time. He impresses us with how well he listens, he knows to stop when we say so and he really seems to try to do what we say. Other times, he smiles when misbehaving...

Like This.

Jen and I discussed the learn-on-the-job nature of our new duty tonight. There is simply no way to judge our effectiveness. So, like so many, we just do what we think is right and hope for the best.

I won't get into specifics (too many passionate opinions out there for that), but I think it's fair to say we are pretty firm with Jacob. The only parents any of us learn from are our own. I think I incorporate styles from both of my parents, but I might as well be shooting craps anyway because a child's demeanor plays a roll too.

Jacob has recently begun to misbehave more often while out in public, so I thought back to how my parents handled that in my family.

My dad used to have absolutely no tolerance for public displays of emotion (i.e. screaming, crying, whimpering, or really anything but quiet). I've tried to fight being quite so sensitive to that because mom's method made us feel better. She always managed to block out any embarrassment in favor of soothing. Mom tried to make us feel better... dad just took us out of the room and explained that we either shut up or go home and (by implication) ruin everything for everyone else. I'd say we got the full spectrum.

In all honesty, my instinct is to do like my dad did. I think I manage to be somewhere in the middle, but it only works that way because I fight my instinct. That's probably because dad trained me to believe that outbursts earned the scorn and ridicule of all within earshot. I guess I can chalk that up to effectiveness. Hey, by all accounts, that worked on me. I also remember how important it was for me to feel like my feelings mattered. That's where mom came in.

To be clear, none of this is a complaint. In fact, I think the varied responses gave us varied benefits. Jen and I seem to be more in the middle, but, like I said before, there's no right answer.

Do those little lessons ultimately impact one's adulthood? It may seem crazy, but I think the way my parents handled behavior in public absolutely impacts me today (this very evening, even). I feel that twinge when Jacob cries and instinctively look around for offended patrons. At the same time, my choices have been my own and vary from those of other kids in the world.

No, pressure, though. Only anything we ever do as parents will have life-long impacts on our children as people. Or maybe not. Piece of cake!

Now, learn to share!

Book Report

Well, I finally finished The Second Civil War by Ronald Brownstein. Quite a book, although not for the faint of heart or the impatient.

It should say something that I had to read this book in pieces. I loved the book and found it extremely informative, well thought and jam packed with great information. However, it was very thick and had to be taken in doses.

While reading this book, I also read Kings of New York by Michael Weinrab, Turning of the Tide by Don Yeager, I am America (and So Can You!) by Stephen Colbert, and Hatemail from Cheerleaders by Rick Reilly before finishing this one.

Most notable, however, was that this book seems to have provided Barack Obama with his playbook for healing this nation. The cure? Speak to the masses... propose middle-ground policies... end hyperpartisanship. Check, check and check.

This book looks at the political phases of this nation from the end of the Civil War through today. Divisions have come and gone, but it is clear that the last 7 years have been the most divisive BY FAR. The 51% rule has ruled the day. That means that, even if 70% supported a bill, it was to be poisoned so that enough Democrats would be shaken off to pass with as little support from them as possible.

The result has been the poisonous atmosphere we've been living in for what seems like an eternity. The tool to make it work: Fear. I am tired of fear.

The rub? Well, have you ever lived in a scenario like that while following the losing side? In short, it's not fun. The backlash has been seen in the Democratic turnout in this election season. They can feel the victory coming. Karl Rove never thought of that part of the 51% rule. You can only jam policy down the throats of the rest of the nation for so long before you get booted from office. Unfortunately, it turns out to take 7 years for people to get tired of that.

I, for one, am so happy that the tone is changing. Obama is not trying to go from 49% to 51% and start jamming liberalism down throats (although the vengeful part of me almost wishes all those right wingers would have to swallow such a bitter pill as I have had to, it's best to unite). Instead, he's doing the right thing and uniting this country. And, quite frankly, that just feels good.

Unbelievable background and insider-type of information can be gleaned from The Second Civil War. You will see that the poisonous atmosphere was created purposefully as a political strategy aimed at a long-term conservative political monopoly. And, it worked for 7 years. When I bought the book, it looked like it would go on forever, but while reading the book, I have watched as Obama has systematically broken down our divisions before my very eyes. It has been nice to watch the cure while reading in detail the diagnosis.

And, Mr. Brownstein was right. I recommend the book to anyone who is interested in how we got here. Unfortunately for Mr. Brownstein, I think most people are just happy to live in this moment of healing and reconciliation and just don't want to think about it anymore.

In fact, I think that's also why I took so long to read it.

New Pictures

First off, a great link... This video includes the best line in a speech I've just about ever heard.... "We are the ones we've been waiting for."
http://youtube.com/watch?v=3EWLeKGI0ro

Now, on to the pictures....

Go Nuggets!

Mommy and Baby

Favorite blankie

At Chuck E Cheese's

Climbing dad's bike

Obama What a Day!

On a whim, my buddy Baggs and I decided to take a half-day off of work to make the trip to see Barack Obama speak in Denver. We weren't sure if it would help or not, but we registered electronic RSVPs (it would help a TON, as you can see by the pix I took). Without those free e-notification tickets, we likely wouldn't have gotten in.

I woke up at 4:30 a.m. this morning. I arrived at Baggs' apartment at 5:40 a.m., and we rushed to beat Tech-Center traffic. By 6:15, we were at a Denver coffee shop not far from Magness Arena.

Unfortunately for our schedule, we began to talk politics at the coffee shop and ended up arriving at Magness Arena at 7:15. Keep in mind that doors for the event opened at 8:30. If it wasn't for the fact that we had our RSVP printouts, we would have been in a line I could best describe as a small town. The stairway was labeled "RSVP Line" and "NO RSVP Line." The RSVP line seemed to morph into the other line, so Baggs and I just jumped in at the bend of the line figuring it was as good a place as any.

Thanks to the RSVP line, Baggs and I were among the first thousand or so in the building. We quickly decided to park ourselves as close to the lecturn as possible. We were about 30 feet from where Obama would speak.

Because security was so tight, the arena filled very slowly, but 10,000 got in. We were told that thousands were being placed in "overflow" gyms and that many thousands more were stuck waiting outside. Barack then spoke to many waiting outside and then to those in the overflow gyms. Meanwhile, we waited.

Finally, at 11:00, the first speaker, Denver Bronco Rod Smith, explained how unusual it was for him to speak out and nervously expressed how Obama inspired him. Next, Caroline Kennedy (daughter of JFK), spoke further about inspiration and introduced the man of the year in Presidential politics.

I think it is important to note that everyone I know who has decided to support Barack Obama sounds just like those two speakers. Inspiration and unity are always mentioned. You could see it in the audience. Obama supporters consist of the following: young, old, black, white, latino, clean-cut, casually dressed, slovenly dressed, long-haired, short-haired, young minorities, senior minorities, young whites, senior whites, and everything in between. We saw it all.

At an Obama rally, it's clear that his appeal is broad.

Then he spoke. Obama lifted the crowd. His presence is amazing, but he is completely under control. I wanted to see the fire in his eyes, and it was there without bravado or arrogance. He speaks with the passion of a man who believes deeply every word, but appears calm and cool.

The people chanted "Yes We Can" while in line outside the arena, performed "the Wave" while waiting inside, and chanted everything from "Fired Up, Ready to Go," to "O-Bam-A" to "Obama '08" while the arena slowly filled. But, when he finally spoke, the energy vibrated.

My feet left the floor at that time, and I've been stuck with my head in the clouds the rest of the day. This man moves people.

Baggs immediately decided he will volunteer and openly recruit. To paraphrase Baggs after the event, "I came in feeling good about both Democratic candidates, but I come out of this feeling like we must do everything possible to get this man elected." I also pledged to volunteer.

What can I say, this message is powerful. As I saw at the event, something special is happening with this campaign.

Unfortunately, my look at the media shows that the only parts being covered are a few typical campaign swipes Obama took at Clinton now that this is a two-horse race with Edwards out. What they missed was a moving speech about important issues like the environment, foreign policy, healthcare, education, fiscal responsibility and on and on.

But, the media didn't miss the energy and enthusiasm for this candidate. No one could miss that. We both noticed that you "can feel it" even when the crowds were in the distance.

After experiencing this event, my new, and only, attitude about this campaign can be summed up by tousands of people who can't miss what's happening to politics: YES WE CAN!!

Dreaming

I spent most of my childhood, and therefore most of my basic schooling, in Virginia.

I have discovered that region dictates what you learn in school. I learned mostly about Thomas Jefferson, the founding fathers and the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Those who know me know that I have a strong interest in the founding fathers. But only Dr. King holds a place in my heart.

He did more than anyone else to fill the hole left by the founders by demanding application of their principles to the entire population.

Virginia may not have been the front line in the war against segregation (that distinction belongs to the deep South), but it's large black population translated to a heavy dose of information about Dr. King during my schooling. I am thankful for that. I had seen video of speeches of his dating back to elementary school. Those speeches mesmerized me as a kid.

When I watch them today, they almost bring me to tears. I posted a few videos of Dr. King speaking to the left of this post. One of them (the only one displayed in color) was given the day before his murder. If you listen to the speech, you can tell that he must have known what was coming.

Do yourself a favor and give Dr. King a listen. It's good for the soul.

As for the state of affairs on Dr. King's birthday in 2008... I think Dr. King would recognize progress as well as the some of the same old problems. We've made obvious strides as a people, but certain events shine a light in the darkened corners. Events such as a minority candidate who makes a real run at power.

I think Dr. King would be proud that a black man is making a strong bid for the White House. Indeed, that Obama has gotten this far speaks to progress. I also think it would not surprise him at all that the nation is now discussing the increased likelihood of assassination of that candidate. It would not surprise him that poll numbers are more difficult to track when the candidate is black because the voting booth allows true feelings without scrutiny.

I began thinking of this issue when the Denver Post ran a story about Barack Obama and the Southern vote. A customer at a Tennessee store said the only thing he was sure of is that he would not vote for Obama. "It's regional, you might say," he said. A life-long and devoted Democrat in South Carolina said Obama's middle name (Hussein) might as well be Hitler. To me, such an argument smacks of someone looking for a reason. Even some black citizens seemed resigned to the electoral fate of a black man. The feel of the article was, "it was a nice run, but... we all know this won't happen."

Not even Hillary Clinton (a woman), Mitt Romney (a Mormon), Mike Huckabee (a Baptist Minister) or Rudy Giuliani (a lunatic) face such questions about the nation's basic acceptance of them in office. They face some, to be sure, but not many have watched assassination probability become part of the discussion.

I still choose hope. I still have faith in the dream. It's difficult sometimes to maintain that hope and I'm not sure what the American people will do. I just know that the fact these issues are being so widely discussed cannot be good news for Obama.

I support Barack Obama because he is the best man for this job, because his proposals make sense, because he will be a unifier, and because our country needs what he brings to this election.
Still, my political discussions with others ultimately and eventually always turn to whether a black man could be elected. As those discussions increase, and Obama's opponents climb back into the race, there is temptation to feel like maybe too many still only look skin deep.

I hope not. I pray not. I still choose hope and the message Obama brings. I hope any defeat he may face will come because of merit. I also hope his success will be purely merit-based. The problem is that we can never be too sure.

After all, this great man who preached non-violence was sent to jail and later murdered.

Oh, Canada ...

I read today that a Canadian manual given to Canadian diplomats includes the United States as a nation that tortures. It would be irresponsible for that manual to read any other way.

Specifically, it alerts the diplomats that, when visiting Canadians being held by those countries, the diplomat should be on the lookout for signs of torture. The listing of America on that list was not done for political reasons, but to alert the diplomats to the very real possibility that America may be torturing those we hold captive. For the protection of any nation's citizens, its diplomats must be aware of those realities.

I have also discovered while searching the various news sources that at least two Canadian citizens are currently being held by the US. So, the manual in question is currently relevant.

One of them is being held in Guantanamo Bay - the facility that has become the symbol of our country's morality crisis. Did I mention that this prisoner was 15 years old when taken into custody? Our government claims he was not tortured. That young man's lawyer claims he was. Who can be sure, you might ask? Allow me to break it down for you.

1) Many in the administration have claimed what can generously be called an "expansive" definition of what constitutes "torture;"

2) We have refused to allow the Red Cross or other humanitarian organizations to inspect Guantanamo or other such facilities;

3) America undeniably got caught in the act in Iraq (seen any interesting pictures lately?);

4) Video tapes of waterboarding have been destroyed;

5) Our former Attorney General actually wrote a legal brief calling the Geneva Convention "quaint" and arguing that the president was not bound by it;

6) His successor would not call waterboarding torture during confirmation hearings.

Would YOU believe us?

Simply put, this country has EARNED the suspicion of the world. We are now on a list that includes countries like Iran and Syria. Other countries have now concluded that we are to be dealt with diplomatically as if terrorists ourselves.

This is something about which we should all feel shame.


As I have stated before, I cannot believe we are even debating this issue in this country. Look around you! Look at the company we have chosen to keep by engaging in immoral behavior! We are in the mud with Iran, the very nation we claim is so brutal!

The overly-patriotic in this country scoff whenever other Western (read: like minded) nations are used for comparison. But, on this issue, Europe is right. At one time, we were right along with them. We were even a leader in morality. This issue was once settled - By us and the rest of the civilized planet.

Now, even though generations of Americans have proudly stood against torture in an effort to use our morality as our greatest argument, our current leadership has managed to talk itself out of what should be as obvious as gravity. We are now the ONLY Western (so called "civilized") nation that defends torture.

And, finally, other nations have decided to officially recognize that and conduct themselves accordingly.

This is why folks like Colin Powell have said we need to shut down Guantanamo "today," and why so many in the military, among our populous, in our government, in Europe and indeed around the globe have said torture is a horrible thing to do.

We do it. We even had it on video tape. We allegedly have more on video tape. Those were destroyed by this man's administration:


368 days left.