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A
disagreement has emerged
between me and the other candidates regarding the use of torture. This
disagreement addresses a fundamental principle that defines who we are
as a country. It is our American ideals and firm moral standing that
makes our country a beacon of hope and freedom around the world. The
controversy surrounding the use of torture is certainly not the first
time that American leadership has been required on the world stage. We
fought against tyranny at our founding. We fought against genocide
during World War II. More recently, we have fought in Somalia, Saudi
Arabia, Iraq, and Afghanistan to protect our nation's security and her
ideals. Sacrificing our ideals by torturing our enemies will degrade
the foundation upon which our nation has stood for over 200 years.
Waterboarding, by definition, is torture. You may have seen this
tactic on the latest
episode of the TV show “24.” Waterboarding consists of immobilizing the
subject on their back with their head reclined backwards; water is then
poured
over the face into breathing passages causing the psychological
perception of drowning. Senator John McCain, a POW tortured in Vietnam,
has stated
unequivocally that waterboarding is torture.
Four other candidates in
this race have either supported or condoned the use of waterboarding.
Richard Cash stated that “the most strict interrogation we have,
including waterboarding” should be used on our enemy combatants and
terrorists. The rationale used was “that man (Christmas Day bomber) was
not a citizen, he was a terrorist.” Joe Grimaud added, “waterboarding,
that is not torture and needs to be done.” Jeff Duncan and Rex Rice
condoned these views.
I believe that the stances taken by my opponents are misguided. First, they sacrifice our ideals for
short-term gratification. Second, their beliefs put our nation at risk, most significantly, our servicemen and women.
No doubt, we are a nation at war. I have friends currently serving
honorably in Iraq, Afghanistan,
and the Persian Gulf. They are the very reason we should take a stand
against the use of torture. How can we object to the use of torture by
our
enemies if we ourselves use the same tactics? Furthermore, it is clear
that America's use of torture has been a recruiting tool for al-Qaeda.
I believe the other candidates’ support for the use of torture puts our
troops at risk and provides a powerful recruiting tool to our enemy.
We are a Christian nation with moral clarity. As such, it is our
duty to stay clear of moral wrongs, such as torture, that degrade the
sanctity of life. Mr. Cash has consistently stated that our country
needs to return to God. His platform begins with “faith.” How can our
nation return to God while at the same time condone the use of torture?
Or, in the latest episode of“24,” is the character Charles Logan
correct in his question, “Isn’t morality relative?” I do not believe it
is. Morality should be firm and not be dictated by emotions. It is our
moral clarity that demands a stand against torture. Without moral
clarity leading our country, I fear that The Great Experiment will fade
into the history books. We need leaders who will fight for our country
and the founding principles upon which it was built.
Ultimately, waterboarding is torture and should be condemned by
the United States. Our country is one of high ideals and it is the
responsibility of our leaders to fight to maintain those very ideals.
Leaders should uphold our moral values. Leaders should protect our
soldiers. Leaders can do so by taking a stand against torture. I am
ready to lead.
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