Duty, Honor, Country

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It seems appropriate — to me — that a discussion about American use of torture in the "war on terrorism" appears to be reaching its crescendo right now.

Because today is the 47th anniversary of Gen. Douglas MacArthur's valedictory address at West Point — and, in that address, he chose to emphasize those three words — "duty, honor, country."

I studied journalism in college and graduate school. I worked, for many years, in the publishing business — as a writer and a copy editor. Words are more than symbols to me. They have literal meanings.

And, as I see it, the first two words of MacArthur's phrase relate to the third. Whether you wear the uniform or not — but especially if you do — your duty is to bring honor to your country through your actions.

If you torture people, do you bring honor to your country? Based on a long–standing American principle, I think not. Quite the opposite.

In the past, this country has punished other countries for engaging in torture. We have stood against torture much as we have stood against sneak attacks, citing the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor as the prime example.

Former Vice President Dick Cheney insists that the new administration is "dismantling" the national security policies that kept the nation safe. I think the administration is restoring policies that existed long before George W. Bush and Cheney seized power but were abandoned in the name of national security.

No one wants to see America prevent another terrorist attack more than I do.

But as John McCain so wisely said, this isn't about "them." It's about us.

Americans like to see themselves as being better than the people who wish to do them harm. But when we stoop to the level of the enemy, we blur the line that separates us.

Even if it is true — and I don't believe it is — that waterboarding and similar techniques prevented more terrorist attacks, does that justify changing who we are and what we stand for?

Who "wins" when we do that?

What exactly did we learn from September 11? Based on American behavior during the Bush–Cheney administration, what we learned — and how we implemented it — eliminated the difference between us and that which we sought to destroy.

Put it another way — is such behavior an example of the Golden Rule?

You remember the Golden Rule, don't you? Cheney and others in the Bush administration seem to need a reminder, which seems rather odd in the faith–based America that Bush desired.

"Do unto others as you would have them do unto you."