Selective Support - Selective Justice

The following is provided by: The Real News (therealnews.com)

Like a breath of fresh air...

I received the following e-mail today - which I wanted to share.

Statement From Anthony D. Romero
ACLU Executive Director

There are times in this country when we find ourselves at a crossroads-- where the path we choose has the potential to define us as a nation for generations to come. No doubt we've been at a critical juncture since September 11. How we respond to the atrocities thrust upon us after that terrible day says everything about who we are as Americans -- what values we defend, how the world sees us, and how history will remember us.

The manner in which we seek justice against those accused of harming us will determine whether the United States will be seen at home and abroad as a nation of laws. We must decide whether we live the values of justice that make us proud to be Americans, or whether we will forsake those values and continue down a path of arbitrary rules andprocedures more befitting those who are our enemies. Because we are agreat nation, true to our founders' vision, we must uphold our core values even in the toughest of times. The right to a speedy trialin a court of law before an objective arbiter; the right to dueprocess; the right to rebut the evidence against you; the right not to be tortured or waterboarded, or convicted on the basis of hearsat evidence are what truly define America and our commitment to the ruleof law and our founders' aspirations.

The military commissions set up by the Bush administration for the men imprisoned at Guantánamo Bay -- including those it suspects were involved in the September 11 attacks -- are not true American justice. These trials should represent who we are, what America stands for, and our commitment to due process. They are not about how civilized the accused are, but how civilized we are.

America does not stand for trials that rely on torture to gain confessions, or on secret evidence that a defendant cannot rebut, or on hearsay evidence. For these reasons, the ACLU and the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers have taken on the task of assembling defense teams tobe available to assist in the representation of those Guantánamo detainees who have been charged under the Military Commissions Act, subject to the detainees' consent. We take this step because we simply cannot stand by and allow the Bush administration's military commissions to make a mockery of our Constitution and our values. We believe in the American justice system-- despite its imperfections and distortions by pundits, politicians and ideologues -- and we believe we can make the system stronger by engaging it and fighting for what is right, fighting for fair trials and for America's reputation.

It is when the stakes are the highest and when tempers run the hottest that we must work doubly hard to keep a check on our government and prevent it from trading in our values for visceral and political motives -- no matter what the motivation. It is during the most challenging situations that our country's values are most intensely tested, and along with them, the ACLU's commitment to its core principles. We are determined, as we have always been, to meet this challenge.

My Country

“Even today, there is little value in ensuring the survival of our nation if its traditions do not survive with it.” - President John F. Kennedy –

What America is, has been, and is becoming, warrants serious consideration.

The words of John Kennedy, although they may make us uncomfortable, require that Americans consider what type of society we are, and are going to be. Our traditions of freedom, honor, and justice for all are the cornerstone of our nation. The loss of these basic values strips America of all that it stands for and all that it has stood for. Without these basic truths in operation, and vigorously defended, America ceases to be America.

I am an American. I believe in the ideals and values of America, but I cannot subscribe to the concept that America deserves blind support of its citizenry when it strays from our core beliefs. ‘America, right or wrong’ is as un-American a sentiment as George Bush senior’s words – “I will never apologize for America. No matter what the facts are.”

This type of blind allegiance, this cheap patriotism, is wholly un-American. It is the type of rhetoric most often heard when our government undertakes actions to circumvent our freedoms and protections, our rights and liberties, and our Constitution. America is more than the beating of a drum and the waving of a flag. America is more than idle words, insincere rhetoric, and false patriotism.

In 1931 we adopted the Star Spangled Banner as our National Anthem. The words of the Anthem speak for us to some degree, just as our flag represents us. The words proclaim not only who we are, but what we are as a society and nation. They recount our initial struggle for freedom and each stanza ends with the familiar words: “O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave.”

It is interesting to note that in the first stanza, unlike the other three, the line is a question : “Oh say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave, O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave?” It’s a question we might consider today. Our flag flies proudly not only at home, but at places all over the world. It is a symbol not only of our nation, but of freedom – or, at least it has been. Today, many see it as a symbol of dominance and imperialism, and aggression. Some see it as a symbol of tyranny; the very thing we fought against when our nation was formed.

These are trying times in our history. These are times that, truly, test men’s souls. It is not an easy thing to criticize America. It is not easy to recognize and admit our wrong doing. But one must ask if our actions of late have been in the highest tradition of our country; have our actions been just? And, we must also ask, “Oh say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave o’er the land of the free and the home of the brave?” If not, then John Kennedy’s words have sounded the death toll of this grand experiment in democracy that we call America.

'And this be our motto: "In God is our trust"
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!'

As a nation we have always invoked God, and God’s blessings. We have proclaimed our nation as a nation ‘trusting in God’. We use the words ‘one nation under God’ in our pledge of Allegiance. Yet, sadly, we have, of late, acted ungodly.

Micah 6:8 - He hath shewed thee, O man, what [is] good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God.

We have allowed the actions of a militant few to to cause us to throw off the very liberties we cherish for a false sense of safety. We have allowed a militant few to cause us to demonize an entire faith of others. We have, in fear, acquiesced to a government which views our most cherished Constitution as ‘just a goddamned piece of paper’ and has circumvented its proclamations at a whim. We have allowed a government, hell-bent on winning at all costs, to usurp all that we hold dear.

What is America without freedom? What is America without justice? What is America without truth? Sadly, it is nothing.

Justice

Attorney General Michael Mukasey’s remarks – rather his lack of concise, succinct responses - regarding ‘water boarding’ (which he previously stated he felt was repugnant) was a display of Washington-style BS at its best. His verbiage set a new standard in excess. Never before have I heard so many pontificate endlessly and say absolutely nothing.

Members of the Senate Judiciary Committee found a very frustrating participant in the Attorney General, who appeared to be no more than yet one more Bush-backing, doublespeak supporter and protector of the current administration; more intent on ‘winning’ than seeking truth or justice.

When asked the simple question, “Has there been any communication between your office and the Whitehouse regarding the destruction of the (CIA) tapes?” he answered, “I don’t understand the question.” What a brilliant legal mind.

Stonewalling, half-truths, and outright lies have been the status quo of this administration and its appointees. And, even at this late stage of the administrations term, it continues. At the heart of the issue is torture; and the possibility of war crime charges and charges of crimes against humanity. Michael Mukasey suggested that ‘certification of authorization’ was a crucial issue, however, the excuse that ‘one was only following orders’ was dismissed years ago – decades ago – as unacceptable at Nuremberg.

Basic standards concerning human rights do not change with circumstance. Nor do they require renewed approval of a particular government or government leader. They are basic rights.

http://geekmetv.blogspot.com/2007/11/who-we-are-is-choice.html

The back-story here – and there always is a back-story – is whether our Justice Department is a department of justice or simply another tool of the White House to mislead, misinform, and protect violators. Can our government investigate itself? I don’t think so. A Special Prosecutor is needed, but won’t be appointed. Deception, secret activities, and blatant disregard for the rule of law will continue – at least while Mukasey is Attorney General – but it will not prevail. Eventually, the truth will come out.

“How far from our moorings we’ve strayed.” remarked Senator Leahy near the close of the meeting. Indeed.

See video: http://geekmetv2.blogspot.com/2008/01/mukasey.html

Martin

Civil Rights Leader. Nobel Prize Laureate. These are just two of the more common titles used to describe Dr. King. But they, like most others, fail to adequately describe the man. Certainly he was these, but more.

In reflecting on Dr. King’s life I find one thing which (to me) seems to far outshine any accolade or title that can (and has) been bestowed on the man: Minister. It was what he was and, more importantly, what he did.

In his speech against the war in Vietnam he stated “I am determined to take the Gospel seriously". It was a profound and revealing statement which gave us a brief glimpse into the core of this dynamic man. It was a statement of purpose, and a pronouncement of faith. “I am determined to take the Gospel seriously”. These words are powerful words. They are both a declaration and explanation: a declaration of faith in God and an explanation as to why he did what he did and how he did it. Like the Apostle Paul, following his encounter with Christ on the road to Damascus, I think Dr. King had no choice when it came to involving himself in matters of justice and equality, and peace. Having ‘seen the light’ he could not remain in the dark, silent and uninvolved. It’s not what men of faith do. But, unlike many Ministers of modern times (if, in fact, Ministers are really what they are), he did not preach to manipulate and sustain a political force, nor preach a gospel of self-enrichment. Instead, like a New Testament Apostle, he preached justice and mercy and grace, and love. And with a power and strength which could only have come ‘from on high’, and through submission, he, like the patriarch of old, also cried “Let my people go” to an oppressive and unjust force. With a boldness and courage no less evident than Daniel when faced with the lion’s den he stood and proclaimed the truth – the truth of the injustice and inequities which abounded, and the truth of the oppressive and dictatorial practices of his own government.

He is most often remembered for his “I have a Dream” speech – which is, of course, remarkable. However, it was his speech against the war in which his words were lifted far above national boundaries and race and economies to a universal level and beyond – a level above the control of governments and powers made by men. “I have determined to take the Gospel seriously” required Dr. King to take the burdens of man to a realm where men ceased to be the ultimate power. “I have determined to take the Gospel seriously” allowed Dr. King to take his concerns and burdens into the very ‘Holy of Holies’ and cry “Abba, Father”. His declaration, “I have determined to take the Gospel seriously” also forced others to recognize that there exists a power, an authority, above that of man – or to reject that authority.

“I have determined to take the Gospel seriously” is a statement that demands a response; a response which requires more than a simple affirmation or consent to a creed. It demands a response by action and deed.

“Why call me Lord if you do not what I say?” Jesus once asked. It is a question which remains as valid today as then. And, requires more than a self-justifying belief which focuses more on what the believer receives than what the believer is required to give.

“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.”

It is, perhaps, impossible to define Dr. King in a word or a multitude of words. To me he is many things, but nothing he was exceeds that which he himself proclaimed to be: a man who “determined to take the Gospel seriously”.

Hear the speech here:
http://geekmetv2.blogspot.com/2008/01/live-stream.html

'Protect America Act' - Protect who?

This link will let you know exactly how bad things have become. If this surprises you, then pay better attention to what's going on around you, and in your government.

http://Whitehouse.senate.gov/video/120707.ram

Who we are is a choice.

When good men, in the face of evil, stoop to the level of their foe, they have ceased to engage in a battle of good versus evil and joined with their enemy, conceding the defeat of their values and ideals.

In 1947 Soldiers who had engaged in the use of ‘water boarding’ when interrogating Allied prisoners were convicted of war crimes. There was no hesitation, nor question, in condemning the practice as torture – until now.

I have been amazed (shocked and amazed) by the willingness of some to resort to actions – abhorrent and inhumane – that would be (and have been) quickly condemned when done by others. The relative ease with which values, long held dear, are put aside, replaced by acts universally recognized as barbaric, causes me pause.

King George has said, “We do not torture”. It is a lie. We do torture.

Torture is no less evil, no less abhorrent, and no less a despicable act when we – America - engage in the practice, than when any other nation does. It should be condemned, and those that practice or condone its use should be prosecuted.

Arundhati Roy, the author of “The God of Small Things”, said “once you’ve seen something, you cannot un-see it”. One can pretend they didn’t see, or profess they didn’t know, or deny they had any complicity, but that too is a lie. Silence is as political an act as any other, albeit the most cowardly.

The ideals and values Americans have long espoused hang in the balance. They will be confirmed or denied by our actions or inactions, and we will bear the burden of living with our choices for many years to come. Virtues and values cannot be claimed only when convenient. We, individually and collectively, either hold dear the rights of human beings or we don’t. And our decision regarding human rights will be known, not by our words or proclamations, but by our actions and practices. We cannot claim to be humane while acting inhumane, nor just while acting unjustly. And, we cannot claim to be lovers of freedom while denying others their basic human rights.