Wednesday, October 22, 2008

Sunday, October 19, 2008

Torturing Democracy

I watched Torturing Democracy last night, a stupefying documentary on the legalization of torture by the current US administration -- not just for Abu Ghraib but in Guantanamo Bay and in dozens of CIA extraordinary rendition black sites around the world.

I couldn't stop watching. It wasn't so much that the documentary proved enlightening; I was already aware of much of the information presented. However, it was gripping in the sense that each progression and each revelation provoked a fresh reaction of disbelief.

How can human beings behave this way? How can a person make such decisions and be able to live with himself or herself?

Abu Ghraib was the public face of US torture. My belief then, as it is now, is that Abu Ghraib combined with the reprehensible legal shenanigans by the US government as to what torture is acceptable has done irreperable harm to the US. Not just that other regimes can treat US soldiers the way prisoners are treated in Gitmo, although that in itself is bad enough. No. Now, any higher value or purpose espoused by the US is seen as hypocritical, viewed by everyone internationally through a lens of distrust.

Can the US really be considered a shining city upon a hill any more?

Do yourself a favour. Watch this documentary. And ask yourself if an administration that participates in this kind of behaviour is worth any kind of support.