One of the Key Debates of Our Time

Thanks for brining this to attention, Julian. The “debate” is only going on in the media, though. I think a large percentage of individuals living throughout America would be opposed to torture generally (ie, if asked in one of Kohlberg’s tests).

But in the case of a specific “ticking time bomb” like KSM, most would probably agree that any and all means of interrogation should be left on the table. The question we then have to ask is: did torturing KSM really get more information out of him than the kind of patient professionalism Hitchens suggests would have? But beyond that, Hitchens is absolutely right about America being the reason Geneva was signed in the first place. Our government’s behavior at Abu Ghraib and with KSM have called into question that historic agreement.

I do not think our civilization can live in the age of corporations (which now seem to own the government) much longer without sparking another world war to end all wars. If Hericlitus is right about war being the father of all things, then maybe that is what it will take to finally fully planetize the consciouness of human beings. But we’ve already had two world wars. They weren’t enough to shock humanity into civility?

Obama seems to have been elected president of the world. I’m almost certain that he’s being advised by people who agree with Dick Cheney. The good news is he is no doubt also being advised by many who don’t (unlike in Bush’s White House).

The question of whether Green is up to the task of snuffing out terrorism deserves to be asked… it may very well be that we need to emphasize the Orange-Amber shade of the spectrum more when we are dealing with a clear and present threat from members of al Qaeda or any other Red dominated group. Torture should not be standard policy, however.

I don’t think the Bush administration’s foreign (or secret domestic) policy since September 11th reflects an altitude too far above Amber. It is impossible for Obama not to improve on that. But it needs a lot of improvement. I think he should make it clear to the military and CIA the day he is inaugurated that it will no longer be tolerated. He has to send a message to the world as soon as possible that the United States will not withhold fair trial or torture its prisoners.

Hope your holy days are happy, J.

-Matt