As a person of faith who serves in the Army National Guard, and as a student and teacher of history and political science, I am profoundly aware of the need for a strong, effective national defense that has its foundation on solid moral principles. The phrase “For God and Country” sums up my internal view of the loyalties I hold dear.
The torture memos that were made public over the last two weeks is the latest example of the age old question; what is more important – “ensuring domestic tranquility” or to “establish justice”. Both phrases are listed in the Preamble of the Constitution of the United States but what happens when these two important ideals are in conflict with each other?
The United States of America has used torture throughout its history. In the Cold War, the C.I.A. used coercive interrogative techniques including physical and psych ops to discover information. The people of the United States condone domestic torture in the form of whippings, lynchings, and the latest method, electric tasers that can drop a person from 15 feet away with a dose of 50,000 volts.
Is the safety of our society more important than our moral sensitivity? I would think that most Americans immediately after September 11th would have gladly allowed our government to pursue any lead and taken any action to prevent a repeat of that tragic fall morning. If our combined safety is more important, then these accusations and outrage of both political parties is nothing but a load of hot air.
President Obama was correct when he announced that he was not going to legally go after the men and women in uniform who were following orders. I do not condone torture, and I would make it a point to convey that to my superiors, but I do understand the need to obtain intelligence from uncooperative people who might be planning an attack on our country.
Private morality or public safety? Can they co-exist? From 2002 to 2009, the policy of President Bush offered one response for this question. In February of 2009, President Obama has given us his answer. It is time to move forward, turn the page, and pursue peace as valiantly as we waged war.
Faculty, Department of Political Science, Towson University. Graduate from Liberty University Seminary.