Another Perspective
Selective Memory
George W. Bush wasn’t the first president to make tough choices in order to keep the country safe.
“I do believe waterboarding was torture, and it was a mistake,” said President Barack Obama during the hour-long press conference celebrating his first 100 days in office.
The president, while castigating the conduct of his predecessor, compared his own position on interrogation to Winston Churchill’s refusal to torture German prisoners during the Blitz.
Clearly Obama is eager to clear the American conscience of what he has described as a “dark period” in the country’s history. So be it.
Given the president’s historical perspective and eagerness to apologize for our centuries of sins, for the sake of consistency, should he not begin the atonement in full? Why not make amends for the decisions his predecessors made to defend the country during times of war and crisis that do not pass our elevated moral standards?
Obama should start by condemning his hero, Abraham Lincoln. In his crusade to preserve the Union at all costs, the 16th president waged relentless and often ruthless war. This included the declaration of martial law, the authorization of militarily tribunals and the suspension of the writ of habeas corpus.
Lincoln and his subordinates also shut down the operation of pro-confederacy newspapers such as the Chicago Times, the Pennsylvania based Jeffersonian (whose printing presses and offices were destroyed and ransacked by Union soldiers), imprisoned the editors of the New York World and Journal of Commerce and arrested and deported war critics such as Ohio Congressman Clement Vallandigham.
Half a century later, while prosecuting World War I, Woodrow Wilson persuaded Congress to pass the Espionage Act of 1917 and the Sedition Act of 1918. These made any form of speech or action that aided or abetted America’s enemies a federal offense. The Supreme Court found both pieces of legislation necessary for national safety in a time of war. Coincidentally, among those arrested and imprisoned for violating these acts was socialist leader Eugene Debs, who Wilson described as a “traitor.” Obama, who would most likely disagree with that assessment, should denounce Wilson.
The president will also want to castigate Franklin Delano Roosevelt. Obama, who has apparently been reading up on Roosevelt while studying the New Deal, must be familiar with FDR’s Executive Order 9066, which authorized the interment of Japanese, German and Italian-Americans. Roosevelt also approved of the establishment of martial law and the suspension of the writ of habeas corpus in Hawaii in the aftermath of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor and created military tribunals to try prisoners of war.
Roosevelt’s successor, Harry Truman, has already indirectly earned the current president’s disparagement and second guessing for ending World War II by ordering the detonation of atomic bombs over Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Still, Obama might want to heap some additional scorn on Truman for creating the Federal Employees Loyalty Program that demanded the Department of Justice create a list of possible subversives during the Cold War and authorized the federal government to terminate employees based on their politics and associations.
Given this historical precedent, it is clear that George W. Bush was hardly the first chief executive to take what Obama calls “shortcuts” to protect the American people. Of course, if one deems Bush’s interrogation techniques torture, his predecessor’s policies are not necessarily analogous.
Still, there is an overarching motivation to all of these actions which Obama would most likely believe “undermine who we are.” During times of war and national danger, presidents are faced with difficult decisions that often involve prioritizing saving lives against saving face. Thankfully, most have chosen the former. It is unclear our current chief executive, who will no doubt be faced with this choice at some point, intends to extend this streak.
Yet, the president himself inadvertently underlined the paradox of his position while preening over his ethical superiority to Bush. When asked what lengths he would go to secure the safety of the American people, Obama responded, “That’s the responsibility I wake up with and it’s the responsibility I go to sleep with. And so I will do whatever is required to keep the American people safe.”
Let us pray so.
About the Author
Ryan L. Cole writes from Indiana.
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blackelkspeaks| 5.6.09 @ 8:44AM
As a Vietnam Vet, I have watched with bitter chagrin the destruction of the Us Constitution perpetrated on us all by Democrats through they years. I am completely fed up with their all-too-familiar vilification of any and all who wear the uniform. I think it is time that this country begin its inevitable fragmentation into enclaves of freedom (the Red states) and hellholes of tyranny (the Blue states). The next time the people of New York, Pennsylvania, and Washington experience the terror of direct attack, let them rely on their fellow Blue stater assholes, like this guy Mathews, to come to their defense, instead of expecting the US military, which is over-represented by the Red staters, to dodge bullets and bombs on their behalf. It sickens me to see these abject traitors in the Blue states stick shivs into the backs of the servicemen who make their freedom possible. FUBO, the same to all members of the jackass party, and especially this guy Marshal.
Tim| 5.6.09 @ 8:45AM
It will be interesting to read the secret history of our times, probably in 30 years or so.
CraigZ| 5.6.09 @ 8:48AM
I’m impatiently waiting for the instructors at the SERE (Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape) training programs to be indicted on torture charges for inflicting waterboarding on our valiant service members. After all, AMERICA DOES NOT TORTURE. OK. I got it.
But, Game on Bambi. Let’s stop this brutality NOW and bring charges to bear.
Jon Wade| 5.6.09 @ 8:48AM
Thank you Mr. Mathews for your clearly ridiculous claims...again. While the auther spoke nothing of the politics of these former president i.e. their party affiliation, you immediately injected party designation into the discussion. While many decisions made during war by presidents may in hindsight seem off base, it is these kinds of decision which having been made defended your right to spew your rhetoric on these pages. SO before you cast stones you might like to remeber you live in a country where discourse amonst differing opinions is welcome and encouraged and without most of those presidential choices this would most likely not be the case.
stu.b.con| 5.6.09 @ 9:02AM
Well said Blackelspeaks & Jon Wade. I've been following that piece of crap L'il davey posts for the past few months, he is a budding fascist brown shirt.
Junior| 5.6.09 @ 9:37AM
I was not alive when he was president, but I believe Truman was a Democrat?
Doorgunner| 5.6.09 @ 10:50AM
Oh goody, it's little Davey Mathews here to school us. You poof; stamp your little size fives when you speak, sonny, the men still aren't taking you seriously.
What an ink cloud of a public debate. Obamalov tinkles a dainty bell, and all the ridiculous little lap-dogs start yipping on cue. The Party of Fashionable Poses never fails to amuse. Pseudo-intellectual argument, feigned moral outrage (if religious institutions are a joke to you, you can't claim the moral high ground), soft racism soft-focused into a passble humane empathy... while the President tries back room strong arm extort secured lenders. Davey you and your ilk are less than useful idiots- you're a tools.
I remember sitting at the MEPS station, in January '02- after a fifteen break in service, and talking to a former Recon Marine who'd been out just a couple years. We figured that if all the eligible men in the country showed up to enlist, the enemy would surrender in tears. Then we laughed so hard we cried. I don't know about my fellow former Marine, but I'm still a doorgunner and the David Mathews can still be relied upon for absolutely nothing but a fashionable pose.
Tony in Central PA| 5.6.09 @ 10:56AM
Black Elk, I'm a Pennsylvanian, but I certainly don't consider myself a Blue Stater. I don't hate the people in our military and I don't think our government is too small. The main reason Pennsylvania is a Blue State is because of Philadelphia. A lot of us in this state would like to say " Good riddance " to the place.
Combine Philly with Boston, NYC and Washington and call the new state " Boswash ". Liberals will flock there for the crushing taxes, Bohemian culture, high murder rate, rampant drug use, mandated same - sex marriage and abolition of all forms of Christian orthodoxy.
Larry| 5.6.09 @ 10:56AM
Sounds like Mathews is talking about the the destruction of the American citizen.
Dustoff| 5.6.09 @ 12:43PM
Hey (Doorgunner) What type aircraft and what year buddy.
DB| 5.6.09 @ 1:46PM
"The Republican party is the party is favor of nuclear warfare, the mass murder of civilians, torture and terrorism."
Hmmm. I believe civilians were just killed on the watch of your gal Hillary. How come I don't hear any bleeding hearts wanting to try her as a war criminal?
Tom Paine| 5.6.09 @ 2:32PM
In a democracy we are compelled not only to ask if Mr Bush's actions had precedent -- or not only even if Mr Bush was well-intentioned -- but whether his actions were consistent with our highest values, the most demanding standards of morality and decency we would apply to ourselves.
That's what it means to be a responsible citizen and a proper critic of one's country.
The question is whether we lived up to our highest calling in a time of chaos and fear and war: those are precisely the times when we most need to adhere to the strictest and most demanding values and principles.
Last week Ms Rice said, essentially, that the extreme actions taken by the administration were made when they were "terrified" -- that is, successfully terrorized by Al Quaeda.
Well, it was precisely then that we needed not to be afraid, not to give in to our passions, not to let our grief and rage carry us away. But we failed terribly. We sought revenge, we blinded ourselves to reality, and lashed out foolishly. Torture was just one of the failures.
Bob D| 5.6.09 @ 2:35PM
Tony in PA
Can I offer Detroit as a suburb of Boswash? It is probably the premier example of what type of society arises from liberal governance.
Doorgunner| 5.6.09 @ 2:46PM
Dustoff,
Currently transitioning to UH-60M, w/ M240H's in the window... yes, I changed branches.
Tom Paine| 5.6.09 @ 2:47PM
Bob D and Tony --
We know, we know. You don't like black folk. Do you have to show your dirty laundry in public?
You both ought to live for a year in New York City. It would do you some good to be in the greatest city in the world. Maybe you'd even meet and get to know and even like and respect someone significantly different from yourself.
Doorgunner| 5.6.09 @ 3:02PM
... aaaaannnd there it is!
Tom Paine cries "Racism!"
Many men and women ran toward the buildings.
Many men and women stepped up... and have reenlisted one or more times since then... and will continue to do so, holding course in unfavorable winds.
Many men and women made tough decisions that they'll have to try to sleep with the rest of their lives.
And some won't step up for a neighbor when it might really cost something.
Call me anything you want. Meh.
Vlad-the-Impaler| 5.6.09 @ 3:04PM
Tom Paine,
It's easy to second guess decisions made by those responsible, especially when we have never had that task. You could easily encounter worse torture at a college Frat house. These scumbag terrorists should be exterminated after all the useful information has been extracted. They should be shot with bullets dipped in pork and their bodies buried with pork entrails, so they know there might be a problem with their 72 virgins. It's the only thing those barbarians understand. To defeat a barbaric enemy requires barbaric means, war is hell. Guarantee there will be no victory while we play patty-cake. Also, pirates at sea should be hung/shot on the spot.
Rcikhb| 5.6.09 @ 3:04PM
Dave:
You really are despicable and obviously a leftist troll. You said; " The Republican party is the party is favor of nuclear warfare, the mass murder of civilians, torture and terrorism." Do you have anything substantive to back that up? No, because you're a slave to sound bites and empty rhetoric.
If anything, the Bush Admin should be faulted for ROE's that unduly put our troops in jeopardy while attempting to avoid "civilian"deaths, which for my money is just another remanant of the Vietnam war and undue patronage of the Dems ridiculous world view concerning war.
As I recall the Iraq resolution passed Congress no? I know the Dems didnt really mean to vote for it, but alas they did. Regret, only arrived when they sought political advantage.
Now, the Dems are in power- God help us.
Helen Donnelly| 5.6.09 @ 3:09PM
Dave Mathews....what world do you live in?
Pat| 5.6.09 @ 3:19PM
With cell phones available to everyone, our members of the Armed Forces may soon be calling their legal counsel from the battlefields or the enemy prisoner internment centers for advice. "Hey, the Captain told me to lock this guy in leg irons and play Spice Girls music at full volume, is that legal?" The attorney responds: "Spice Girls are allowable but not above 80 decibels, leg irons are out - have your Captain call me if he wants to discuss it further." Our soldiers need continuing health care to address any debilitating wounds suffered while defending us. But they also need access to legal counsel during any action involving enemy combatants. And they will need govt. paid access to lawyers for at least 20 years after mustering out. Who can know how past actions will be viewed in the future or what politician may be currying favor with voters by prosecuting former members of the armed forces or the intelligence community?
Decaying societies find it harder and harder, historically, to find native born sons willing to defend their homeland out of a sense of patriotism. The Brits brought in Hessians to fight the nascent Americans during the Revolutionary War. The Swiss, at one time, made good money as mercenaries to anyone who could pay - and so on. If we keep spitting on our soldiers, both literally and figuratively, America may want to find significant others possessing combat skills and willing to defend us for a price.
And why do our young people put their lives at risk in today's volunteer army? Defending America and it's citizens from foreign aggression? When anyone can be an American nowadays by simply sneeking across the border some night, what motivates these young folks and who exactly are the "foreigners"? Defending your family makes sense, even your fellow townsfolks - but 300 million strangers, some of whom thank you by applauding your conviction based on humanitarian motives? It's tough being an American soldier or intelligence officer during these waning days of Empire - and with precious little gratitude to be found
rickhb| 5.6.09 @ 3:29PM
Pat: Very well said... Thanks
Thomas Paine: You should choose a new monicker - TP was no second guesser which appears to be your impluse. TP would never have condoned Constitutional rights to the Islamofascists. Just because you call it torture doesn't make it so...
blackelkspeaks| 5.6.09 @ 3:47PM
To: Tony in PA
At this juncture, it must be admitted that PA is now a blue state. As are CO, FL, NC, VA, IN, NH, and OH. Though these states were once red, the record shows that these places are likely now irredeemably blue and must be abandoned to their fates. It is now incumbent on the rest of us to populate the red states with true lovers of liberty and leave every blue state bastion to the assholes that remain therein.
Curtis Rasmussen| 5.6.09 @ 5:10PM
Tom Paine:
As a black man, I find that liberals seem hellbent on keeping racism alive by screaming race at every possible moment, even when it's inappropriate.
I see nothing remotely racist about Bob D's or Tony's posts.
Night is day, up is down, the racist Tom calls others racist that don't fit his twisted viewpoint.
Goodbye, troll.
ben| 5.6.09 @ 5:42PM
Tom Paine| 5.6.09 @ 2:32PM
In a democracy we are compelled not only to ask if Mr Bush's actions had precedent -- or not only even if Mr Bush was well-intentioned -- but whether his actions were consistent with our highest values, the most demanding standards of morality and decency we would apply to ourselves.
We sought revenge, we blinded ourselves to reality, and lashed out foolishly. Torture was just one of the failures.
----------------------------------------
First, we live in a Republic not a Democracy so the preface for your entire argument is false.
Second, you would rather save face than lives. Don't you know that pride is a deadly sin?
kathy| 5.6.09 @ 6:25PM
The Republican party is the party in favor of nuclear warfare, the mass murder of civilians, torture and terrorism.
Thank God you people are out of power!
***hmmm, wasn't Woodrow Wilson in power during the start of WW1, FDR at the start of WW2, Truman at the start of the Korean war, JFK or Johnson at the helm during the vietnam war, Clinton with the Somalia debacle..... What do they all have in common? They're DEMOCRATS.
All wars, unfortunately, result in murder, torture and terrorism to different degrees (if they didn't, they'd be called luncheons) but it seems that it's only un-acceptable to D Matthews when it's started by a Republican leader, or were those "different circumstances?" Perhaps the benefit of waiting 30 years to reflect back on the current war will provide a clearer light to view the situation. It's absurd to say anyone, particularly the Republicans are in favor of war. If we were, we'd be bombing the blue states (if we could get the bombs out of the Democtratic partys hands!)
Tom Paine| 5.6.09 @ 6:46PM
I must say the responses to my two posts are weaker and shallower than normal.
I miss the Am. Spec readers who make arguments when they reply.
The idea that the Constitution is written to protect people the founders somehow preferred is deeply erroneous. The Constitution is written to restrict government power. The law prevents the government from torturing NOT in tribute to the moral righteousness of those it would torture but because to restrict the government from denying ANY human being his rights.
I can't think of anything else here worth responding to.
rickhb| 5.6.09 @ 7:09PM
Tom: Please save the indignation of your amazing intellect being insulted by my previous shallow post. Why should I make argument when all your post is platitudes?
Moreover, yes the Constitution limits the power of government but it is much more than that- obviously. However, there are clear exceptions made throughout the Constitution during a time of war and clearly there is no reasonable expectation that rights conveyed in the Constitution would apply equally to US forces and the enemy is there??? Prohibitions in the Bill of Rights clearly do not pass to our enemies at a time of war. If we capture any enemy we can search them to our hearts content without and expectation that they are private in their persons or papers.
That is not a license to kill wantonly ( although in war thats hard to square), but it also doesnt mean that our defense forces are held to the same standard as the local police force in say, interrogations and self incrimination.
In short, the Constitution recognizes war as a special circumstance and that it may necessitate special acts in defense of the nation.
Finally, your lamentation that: "but whether his actions were consistent with our highest values, the most demanding standards of morality and decency we would apply to ourselves" has no basis in the law at all - let alone the US Constitution.
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Alan Brooks| 5.6.09 @ 9:14PM
Tom Paine (Jeremiah?) thinks were all lynchers, redliners, and anti-busing activists.
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OBAMA: “I will do whatever is required to keep the American people safe.” Yeah, right links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Old Texican| 5.6.09 @ 11:26PM
Tom Paine is correct
He should not waste his time with we stunted intellectual midgets....(ahh altitude challenged persons).
He should instead move out of mommy's house and get a job. (smile)
Response to Black Elk| 5.7.09 @ 12:52PM
"It is now incumbent on the rest of us to populate the red states with true lovers of liberty and leave every blue state bastion to the assholes that remain therein. " Ditto. Very poetic.
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The Supreme Court found both pieces of legislation necessary for national safety in a time of war.
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