How can we forget so soon?
September 11 was one of those days you will never forget. What were you doing when you found out that two planes hit the World Trade Center? I bet you can remember. That was a day when something out of the ordinary happened. Terrorism. That word has become an ordinary part of our vernacular, yet the “act of” has not. Why is that?
Torture. The use of forcible interrogation on terrorist suspects has helped protect our country from having more September 11th’s. Complain all you want to about President Bush, but he kept us safe for seven years after that ugly day. Do you think the terrorists just stopped attacking? I don’t think so.
President Obama is making a mistake by announcing the closure of Guantanamo Bay during one of his first days in office. He just announced the closure of one of our shields against terrorism. I hear arguments that torture is against the Geneva convention and that America needs to set a greater example. Here’s the problem with that: Terrorism is against the Geneva convention. Do you think Al-Qaeda gives a damn? They want people dead. I see pictures of their future victims out on the streets picking for the fair treatment of these murderers. Are you still going to picket on their behalf when they blow up your family? Torture is a technique that works. You can’t politely ask a terrorist who he’s working for. As if.
Lastly, I find it very interesting that this season of 24 is relating so much to our lives right now. One of the main themes right now is the debate over using torture in interrogations of terrorist suspects. I don’t know about you guys, but it really seems like the “liberal media” is actually trying to support President Bush. So many things that President Taylor says and does remind me of President Bush. Maybe Bush 43 wasn’t such a bad president as people made him out to be.
Last 3 posts by Mark
- If only other politicians were this passionate - September 10th, 2010
- I lost and won my first election - March 23rd, 2010
- Seriously?! - February 17th, 2010
Awesome post Mark. I couldn’t agree more. My thoughts regarding this have only been strengthened since living in NY. Almost everyone with whom I work has been in NY since before 9/11, and they are so angered by Obama’s choices. It’s as if everyone missed the memo that Bush’s refusal to wave the white flag is what has kept us from having another 9/11.
Not sure if I agree or disagree. I don’t think I agree with the thought that torture is ok. However, I’m not sure that I would classify sleep depravation and some of the things going on in Guantanamo as torture. I guess there are some things I think would be ok, but not all.
I think my opinion can be summed up with this phrase: Sometimes you need to fight fire with fire.
Of course, my view on torture might be totally skewed by watching 24 and action films.