illumined horizon

The idea that because the U.S. government is fighting terrorists and terrorism, and therefore the U.S. must change its long held policies and practices with respect to this fight seems deeply flawed. In fact, this argument is being proffered by the supposed party of moral values (Republican Party plus a dwindling number of conservative Democrats and liberal hawks). What can we say is the moral judgment on practices such as disappearing people and torturing prisoners? If the U.S. thinks of itself as a nation of moral values why would Americans change any moral or ethical practices at the behest of terrorists? The answer, of course, is that if America really was a nation of strong morals, it would not disappear people and torture 'enemy combatants'. To stoop to the level of the terrorists would be morally objectionable.

One would hope the American people can come to this same realization sooner than later, so that a new leadership can direct the country on a more moral course in dealing with the problem of global terrorism. If this is not America's future, America has surely lost its moral compass and probably its moral credibility to most other nations of the world.