Does Torture Really Keep America Safe?

Does torture really keep America safe? Who actually believes that? Beyond the fact that torture of any human being is reprehensible and disgusting is the “belief” by Mr. Dick Cheney himself that the release of the “Torture Memo’s” will make our country less safe. It will piss off the terrorists and allow them to “train” for such events if they are ever captured. Is it any wonder the Bush administration lied about it for such a long time? Isn’t it easier to cast doubt and make it look like some sort of open conspiracy than to actually admit to something as sociopathic and psychotic as torture? Who are we? We have known that torture has been going on since around 2002, yet we have chosen to blindly believe what the past administration told us.

Mr. Bush is a born again Christian after all! He believes in the sanctity of life, preservation of marriage between a man and a woman, oh and lets not forget about the ban embryonic stem cell research. I guess people taken in for questioning against their will because someone somewhere had possible credible evidence that the person had some kind of knowledge about an incident involving some kind of group, and then tortured repeatedly and kept against their will and against our laws without proper representation or even being charged with something makes them less than human and therefore open to such treatment. Did you understand what I just said? Should people be taken into custody, held against their will, tortured for YEARS because they “might” know something? How does that keep us safe? I wonder how many men actually know NOTHING at all, and instead of admitting that they were taken in and kept against their will and releasing them, the government just keeps holding on to them. What could be worse than the prison releasing them and sending them back to their country? Well, what would be worse is if those innocent people went back and told their story and their government bringing charges against us. So lets just keep them imprisoned. There are a lot of people being held not only in this country, but around the world, and the thing most certainly forgotten is the fact that these men haven’t been convicted of anything. Everyone is afraid of closing down Gitmo because where will the detainees go? EXACTLY! Where do they go? We don’t even know if they are guilty of anything. We just keep holding on to them.

The thought of releasing them to possibly go back to their country and plan an attack on us strikes terror in so many and is a part of the conditioning that we have had about Muslims or Islam since 9/11 happened. Part of that conditioning has been the ability to fling the law behind the previous administrations back and keep people detained for years without representation and without being charge with a crime.

So how do Christians feel about all this? Do you believe that it is a means to an end? That a little evil is ok for the greater good? I have noticed that the Religious Right has been very quiet about it. Why? You’re vocal about abortion, which is the snuffing out of human life and in many cases actually torturous for unborn children to endure before they are killed…so is the torture of an innocent full grown man any different? And if he is guilty, does that make it more acceptable? I guess the much quoted bible verse “Love your enemies” means something else huh? Now don’t get high and mighty with me, I’m not saying that you would have to invite these people into your home for a spot of tea, but how about speaking up for those who have no voice right now? You do it for the unborn, so why not for the ethical and humane treatment of real live human beings? Even PETA has nothing to say about this. I guess the torture of animals is far worse than the torture of humans.

Torture does not make our country safe. What it does is erode the moral fiber of our country and turn us into sadistic people if we continue to support such things. Christians may say that abortion and gay marriage and embryonic stem cell research actually erodes the moral fiber, as does pornography or drugs, but I will leave you with a final thought-

What does it mean to be godly? Do we really know? To be like the most High God, what does it take? I was asked that once and I had to really sit and ponder it for a while before I answered. My answer to that question was simple. In order to be like the Most High God, you must first realize that others have free will. God does not prevent us from making mistakes or from living our lives. While some might say the answer is to hate sin, or not be a homosexual, to not have sex before marriage, to not lie or manipulate, I believe that it goes even deeper. Its hard to give others free will. We live in a land full of laws. But when do we allow free will to kick in? Another thing I have heard is “Love the sinner and hate the sin.” Such things are directed at us, not the other person. We are to love those who may sin AND not do that thing we call sin. It isn’t meant to prevent others from living their lives, it is meant to offer up our own free will to our Creator out of love for Him and at the same time, reflect that same love back to those we believe are “sinners.” Free will was given so that we may love our Creator freely…to make a choice to direct our hearts towards Him and abide with Him. If we do not offer the beautiful gift of free will to others, are we reflecting the Will of God or the will of ourselves yet standing behind the words of God concerning His thoughts on a matter?

I’m sure that I have opened up a theological can of worms, but I had to say it. I have been pretty silent when it comes to topic of religion, so there it is. Religion is such a deeply personal choice, but I’m really interested to know what Christians in particular feel about the subject of torture. Is it a sin to you? Do you condone it? Or maybe you will take the moral high ground and claim that it was the free will of Dick Cheney and George Bush to institute such tactics. To that, I say that while they have free will, they are not above the law, and as such, while they do have free will and used it, there are consequences according to the law. So should they face those consequences and be charged with war crimes? Part of morality is justice, so will justice be denied? I have far too many questions and of course my own ready opinion…what I want are your opinions. What are your thoughts?

Obama’s Gateway Drug

What’s the deal and all the hype about Barack Obama smoking? Why is this such a big problem to anyone? I can understand the risks smoking can cause to some people, but does that mean we should dictate to our new president what he can and can not do in his own home? Is this “Operation Nanny State?” I never got the memo that smoking cigarettes was against the law! When did that happen? How long have I been asleep?

If smoking is President Elect Obama’s only vice, I’d say he’s doing pretty damn good! Especially since “W” had to quit drinking! There is a big difference between drinking and smoking, don’t you think? Do you think that “W” slipped up and knocked back a few strong ones while he had to make decisions about foreign and domestic policy? Maybe that’s what happened! Maybe President Bush fell off the wagon for a while, and in a drunken stupor wrote the “Bush Doctrine,” and when he woke up from his blackout, said “I did what?”

So what is everyone afraid of? Are cigarettes the new presidential “gateway drug?” If he starts smoking again, is he just a short step or two from purchasing a bong, hanging out in the Oval Office with Rahm Emanuel while watching “Harold and Kumar; Escape from Guantanamo Bay” to get ideas on how to shut that place shut down? Will he tell Michelle to get him and Rahm some Doritos and pizza and make a late night beer run? And since cigarettes can be a gateway drug, does the next logical step mean Obama would set up a meth lab in his new house and start dealing to the secret service, children and pregnant women? I think people need to get a life! Smoking is not illegal, so why treat him as though it were? Maybe people need something to pick on…especially people who don’t smoke. I was on a few other sites and I read the story about how Obama quit smoking but had a few slip ups, and I was amazed at the people who left comments. One person said, “yeah, he should quit smoking because it’s disgusting to kiss someone that has just smoked a cigarette.” Huh? Was this man planning on kicking up some kind of midnight rendezvous with the new president and his desire was for Obama’s mouth to be “minty fresh?” Others had more heartfelt concerns, such as “I hope he stays healthy and doesn’t start smoking again, for the sake of his family.” That makes sense to me, but it doesn’t mean people should dictate what he does within the dynamics of his family life.

I wonder if people are afraid of the kind of message it sends to the youth of this country. Maybe the fear is that if young people see President Obama is smoking, then that means it’s ok for them to smoke too. Do you think that could be it? Could it be smoking cigarettes would tempt young boys and girls to “light up” and be like their president? Do you think they would feel it was “so cool” they run out and ask an 18 year old to buy them some? Or perhaps go into their parent’s room and steal a couple? (Remember, research suggests that cigarettes are a gateway drug!) And of course that leads children down the dark road of smoking pot, doing crack, tapping the vein for some heroin, and starting their very own meth enterprise from their parent’s basement. If that’s the case, then what shall we say about President Bush? What kind of influence has he had over our children? I can name a few…how about jumping to conclusions about people we don’t know a lot about because they may look and act differently than us. How about rushing to judgement before knowing all the facts, and causing heart ache to those families both here and abroad. What about torturing our enemies, and bending the rules to serve his own purpose? How about not listening to wise council? And does not learning to get along with others have any influence over our children? How about turning a blind eye to the poor and speaking on behalf of the ultra rich? Humm? I’d say this president has influenced our children in a lot of ways, and not for the good. Maybe Obama can do it better…even if he decides to light up again.