Palaver from Persimmon Crossing
with Warren Faulk| Should the US continue to allow torture, or should it take a principled stand against it? We are sad that this question about morality even needs to be asked. But the current government seems deeply confused by it. Today columnist Warren Faulk shares some much-needed common sense on the subject. |
TORTURE
How Far Should We Go?
To paraphrase a famous Justice's remarks ...
'I may not be able to define torture, but I know it when I see it.'
More to the point, I think just about everybody has a clear idea what constitutes torture and knows that we should not be involved in it. Many; however, are willing to compromise because of what they see as special circumstances where terrorists are concerned. But the circumstances are not special and no compromise should be made. The fact that our enemies may torture, maim and execute in the name of military expediency gives us more, not less reason to have and stand on our principles. Why should we allow the actions of people we say are criminals, to cause us to stray from what we know to be the correct path? How can we be a beacon to the world if we emulate the worst the world has to offer?
Once we begin sorting through a set of tactics, deciding what is and what isn't, we are already on a slippery slope. Basically, if there is any question, the answer should be "Americans don't do that." Torture has no place here.
Anyone who would describe the Geneva Accords as "quaint" or "obsolete" has no business making or carrying out US policy, should not have a security clearance, and frankly scares the heck out of me. The likelihood that such a person is about to become our Attorney General leaves me wondering ...
-- Warren Faulk
Smarr, Georgia
January, 2005------------------
Warren Faulk has written a book called "Still Looking For My Hinny," an online book about animal husbandry, fishing, hunting and war. Available from authorhouse.com
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