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The Memos Don't 'Shock the Conscience' of Obama Though the interrogation techniques described obviously didn’t “shock the conscience” (a term used by the Supreme Court; see The Shock the Conscience Test) of the Bush and Obama administrations, I believe it certainly shocks the conscience of any spiritually sane objective reader, and I certainly think it will be perceived as such by the rest of the world, further fueling the rage against our nation. If you haven’t looked at the most recently available Bush administration memos regarding use of “interrogation tactics” against detainees (pdfs at the ACLU website), I suggest you do. Read the U.S. Code definition of torture (Legal Information Institute/Cornell Law School site). Then read the memos. Please don’t just read the excerpts in brief news stories - go read from these memos yourself. Though we’ve been exposed to descriptions of these before, reading these documents depicts how ingrained and committed to using these evil methods the CIA is. Having just finished with two of the four memos, two words comes to mind: sick and disgusting. What is described is conveniently not called “torture,” by those rationalizing its use, but as I read the descriptions of the techniques used I certainly regard it as torture. Read what the abominable CIA was able to do because Bush and his administration used careful legalese to justify what any objective individual could not help but classify as torture, but which they classified as “extreme” not “severe” techniques thereby craftily using words to fulfill their agenda of intentional infliction of mental and physical pain and anguish upon detainees. These memos, in my opinion, show the administration cared not for ethical or moral standards requiring humane treatment of prisoners, but only for being able to justify the CIA implementation of the enhanced techniques because after all, they believe the end justifies the means. The thrust of these papers, as I read them, is to justify what they wish to do, they do not at all impress me as sincere objective analysis to determine whether said techniques are torture or not. It is as if they were written with a foregone conclusion, but they had to be written to justify the actions should it ever be called into question. Obama and his administration will do nothing to try and correct the harm which has been inflicted on fellow human beings and which our nation will be held responsible for in the eyes of millions worldwide. Obama, as was to be expected, has announced no action will be taken against those who perpetrated this evil. This, in my regard, makes him just as responsible for what occurred as those who authorized and performed it. It’s not enough to give lip service against such human rights abuses. If one truly rejects their use, they would seek accountability and justice. But justice doesn’t appear to be something Obama places any value upon whatsoever. However, Obama upon releasing the documents, is quick to assure CIA interrogators they’ve nothing to be concerned about. They will not be subject to prosecution, and that’s something he wanted them to be aware of right away. His focus on supposedly moving ahead will not happen, as a horrid recent past must be dealt with. But the CIA, the Dept. of Justice, the president, attorney general, and all others who are part of ignoring these wrongs are setting our nation up for more anger against it. The world will not forget what happened, and the evils of the past are now compounded in the present by the Obama administration. To not challenge such mistreatment in court is to give approval. For Obama to be capable of this, makes me distrust anything he says he will do or has done in regards to human rights violations, including the ending of such practices. Read the actual documents, for this is what is now identified with America and our people’s values….because of our government. If this does not reflect the values of America, then the people must hold Obama accountable (as they so vocally did against Bush) for not seeking accountability. Obama may throw around words like “ideals,” and “laws,” referring to our nation, but his lack of action against those responsible speaks much louder. These memos not only provide more evidence of what Bush and his administration authorized, but brings with it a condemnation of Obama for his lack of concern for violations of human rights. Regardless of whether deemed justifiable or legal by this government, what was done by our government was inhumane, cruel, degrading, and immoral. Its effects will be profound and lasting in the eyes of the world, as it should be. (I also invite readers to my Jan. 23, 2009 article: No Moving Forward If Serious Crimes by Government Ignored and August 22, 2008 article: The End Does Not Justify The Means.)
 Christine Smith is a freelance writer and political activist from Colorado. She has written numerous articles for state, national and international publications (newspapers, magazines, online publications) covering a wide range of topics: the arts, technology, business, politics, health, environment, social justice, human spirituality, and profile interviews with high achievers. Articles by Christine Smith at MWC News http://mwcnews.net/ChristineSmith |
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