Speaking to the graduating class of U.S. Naval Academy, President Barack Obama told the graduates that the best way to protect our nation is to stand up to its principles. I discussed the detainee issue last night on this segment of Countdown.
President Obama stated: “We uphold our fundamental principles and values not just because we choose to, but because we swear to — not because they feel good, but because they help keep us safe, . . . When America strays from our values, it not only undermines the rule of law, it alienates us from our allies, it energizes our adversaries and it endangers our national security and the lives of our troops.”
If only the White House would match its actions to its rhetoric, this country would be able to regain our moral and legal leadership in this troubled world. He needs to guarantee a trial for all detainees and to investigate the U.S. torture program.
For the story, click here.
Mike S.,
I hate to disagree with you when you complimented me, but I’m going to have to go with the others on this one – if this is you in a slower mode then I shudder to think what you were like in a faster mode… Anyway, I’m a patient man and compliments are worth waiting for. Thanks.
Everyone,
The mutual admiration society is nice and all, but isn’t this thread supposed to be about torture? Who wants to fight? Jill? 😉 In an effort to get us back on topic… a couple of weeks ago I repeated the suggestion (from someone on Countdown, I can’t remember who) that we really didn’t want a special prosecutor (at least not yet) as that would dry up the information coming to light since the investigation would be secret. I now agree with this even more strongly – I think that for what most of us would consider an acceptable outcome to occur the key thing that needs to happen is for public opinion to become both anti-torture and pro-investigation/prosecution (and this hasn’t happened yet according to the polling that I’ve seen). The longer this debate stays in the light of day, the more likely this is to happen. It seems like almost every day we see more experts speaking out about torture, or more documentation about what went on in the Bush administration, or something like the radio host Mancow completely reversing his opinion after 6 seconds of waterboarding – arguably the event most likely to change the minds of those that are still in Dick the war criminal’s camp. Every day the ground beneath Dick’s feet is getting shakier (at least it was until this whole SCOTUS appointment thing broke… #$%*& Sotomayor). In any case, while I think there is some danger here (this sort of thing generally reaches critical mass or fades away), I am generally pleased with how things have been going. So if anyone wants to argue, I’ll be here, if not I’ll wait for the next torture thread.
When Mike S. says that his “processes are in a slower mode,” I am reminded of Sen. Sam Ervin describing himself as just an “old country lawyer” during the Watergate hearings. Keep your hand on your wallet!
Mike,
I got to go with CCD. I may think of many adjectives when I think of you, but “slower” doesn’t make the list.
“Processes are in a slower mode.”
B S
🙂
Slartibartfast,
Just wanted to say that I admire your comments and am glad you’re aboard. Also thank you for your kind words. This is coming late, but I though about it last night and finally remembered today. It’s hard being the oldest of the old codgers here and unfortunately I’m not the outdoorsman that FFLEO is, or the lawyer that Mike A. is, so my processes are in a slower mode.
Truth and Justice and All,
It’s not like I haven’t delved into many of the things you allude to, nor that I discount them all. However, if they are fully true than we are royally screwed and so what’s the purpose? My conclusion is to be aware, but to live my life as if there was some reality to our political/social/economic systems. If there isn’t, then there is no revolution capable of making anything better.
It’s obvious that the perpetrators of terror (Bilderbergs, Council on Foreign Relations, Trilateral Commission who actually have been running the show, including the puppet presidents)will continue to speak of such things in an attempt to keep people in fear in order the fulfill their demented agenda. The only ones we need to be “protected” from is them. If you haven’t yet read The True Story of the Bilderberg Group, I recommend it. You might also like to visit http://www.checktheevidence.com and http://www.drjudywood.com
May True Justice And Freedom Prevail!
Tom,
Speaking of oblivious on 9/10/01, how about a President who while on vacation in August was briefed on the possibility of an Al Quaida attempt to blow up buildings with airplanes and basically told his briefer to go stick it. then too Cheney,
Rummy, Ricey and some others high up in that Administration were also too busy to pay attention. Thus GW Bush and company allowed the deaths of 3,000 people by failing to heed a month long warning. They were so oblivious that NORAD was ordered out of the air for 9/11/01. You personally were oblivious because you were sucker enough to have voted for them. Probably, because he was the kind of guy you’d like to have a beer with.
Following Obama’s line will keep us just as safe, secure and oblivious as we were on 9/10/01.
Anon:
I don’t think you difficult at all, a warm, jovial southern gentleman yes but difficult, not at all.
Buddha:
everyone one on this site is difficult, and the old saw “opinions are like a…….s, everybody has one”, should be the site motto. Maybe Mespo can translate that into Latin, it would certainly elevate the concept.
AY,
That statement was directed at no one in particular. Just the one’s who have been difficult as of late. 😀
Buddha, Bron98, Jill,
Do you really think I resemble being difficult? LOL. I gotta be me.
Difficult people are a blessing because they teach us the value of patience.
Anon:
“Jill, Bron98:
I feel slighted. I am not worthy to posited on your post. I am crushed”
No slight intended, as an instigator you would be more than welcome.
Do tell I think we have some people on this Blawg that are instigators, myself included. I am pleased to know that I am in good company.
Did I hear someone Yawn?
Jill is a good person that has not to my mine attacked anyone. Jill defended someone and now I am yawning. Must be bedtime or is someone sucking the life out of this site?
Bartlebee/CromagnumMan/Waynebro/Bron98/AnonymouslyYours et al.
You could call it ‘Ad Nauseum with Jill’ for the endless stream of anti-Obama ads… 😉
Yawn
Jill, Bron98:
I feel slighted. I am not worthy to posited on your post. I am crushed.
That would take one hell of a moderator! I still think you should lie to Oprah to sell your book. I think that one guy got a lot of mileage from his fictional autobiography or fictiongraphy.
Jill:
If you had a radio show and invited all the characters that assemble here it would be chaos, but very interesting.
A new idea for a radio show?
Ooops–I mean Oprah and mespo used to have. If I did have a show I’d invite everyone on to it. Why not? Even trolls! It could be fun.