In retrospect, perhaps releasing the CIA Torture report may have been premature, if not an outright error in judgement. To think the world would fall all over itself admiring the United States for its willingness to admit mistakes and misdeeds, without holding anyone accountable, was a stretch at best. As odd as it may seem to Americans, others around the world feels someone should pay a price for committing war crimes and crimes against humanity.
What's even more troubling, is the counter-narrative that has picked up steam. Former vice president Dick Cheney, the one man most responsible for many of the reported abuses, says no wrong doing occurred and given the opportunity, he'd do what he did it all over again. Booking time on any media outlet that'll have him, Mr. Cheney makes no apologies for his actions and is seemingly challenging anyone to take him to task over anything.
Mr. Cheney's justification for his actions is the fact that the nation was in a chaotic state immediately after 9/11.The nation was traumatized. The nation was demanding a response and it was his responsibility to respond. In order to keep America safe, some of America's so-called values had to be sacrificed. In Mr. Cheney's view, America's values was a small price to pay.
Believing the best defense is a strong offense, Mr. Cheney is now challenging any challenge, by challenging the facts. While President Obama, the CIA, Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, the United Nations Convention against Torture and the entire sane world says water-boarding, long term stress positions, rectal feeding and sleep deprivation is tantamount to torture, Mr. Cheney says, it ain't so bad if it saves lives. And, his not alone.
Despite the brutal admissions, Mr. Cheney has plenty of support from the GOP. Now that the CIA Torture Report has been politicized and open for debate, its no longer clear if America is really done with torture or not. When the conversation drifts back to the ticking bomb scenario one can grant oneself some serious latitude throughout the discussion. When the ticking bomb scenario is introduced, you automatically reopen the door to torture.
Bottom line: If Dick Cheney's narrative wins this debate and no one is ever held accountable, not only does he successfully invalidate the CIA Torture Report, but he actually invalidates America's so-called values in the eyes of the world and its enemies.
Now, that the race to the bottom is on, if our enemies keep beheading people, the United States can start beheading people. When our enemies start burning people alive, the United States can start burning people alive. That is of course, if burning someone alive will produce actionable intelligence.
If this is where the dialog has taken the nation since the damning revelations were made public, the 6000 page document, generated over five years has been effectively rendered meaningless and for all intents and purposes, should never been developed, let alone released. BTW, no one should be surprised if foes continue seeking their pound of flesh anyway they can get it.. Podcast Below!
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