Power Corrupts...

... and absolute power corrupts absolutely.

An old lesson, but one not always heeded.

In the few short years since the first shackled Afghan shuffled off to Guantanamo, the U.S. military has created a global network of overseas prisons, its islands of high security keeping 14,000 detainees beyond the reach of established law.
(Source: Religion News Blog)

Before we allow ourselves to think that all of these 14,000 held without assurances of humane treatment and anything that resembles due process of law are criminal terrorists, we must remember that unknown numbers of them may have done nothing wrong at all. Remember, it is due process that determines whether a criminal activity has occurred. Even the government has, at unguarded moments, admitted its errors.

Seventy to 90 percent of the Iraq detentions in 2003 were 'mistakes,' U.S. officers once told the international Red Cross.

Others have been released from Gitmo with no charges filed against them. More 'mistakes,' apparently.

Through its use of secret prisons, double-talk about torture, and the periodic disclosures of actual torture despite denials, the US is confirming a stereotype of it held by too many people of the Middle East.

The Congress of the United States has an opportunity to reverse this trend by rejecting President Bush's proposals for the treatment and trial of detainees. 'Conscience' Republicans like Warner, McCain, and Graham have stood up to the Bush/Cheney/Rumsfeld blitz. Democrats have held- at least in committee- relatively solid on a partisan basis. If people of conscience on Capital Hill act, then, slowly, the US may begin again to provide moral leadership in the world.

The Congress must stand on conscience now, for too much damage could be done over the final two years of this Administration if they fail to do so. Our nation cannot wait for a new president to bring a new moral climate. Congress must change the moral climate NOW.

GP