Conversation Point

Lead Us Not Into Temptation

So much of history repeats itself.

Consider conversations swirling more vividly regarding the United States' use of torture during interrogations with Iraqi insurgents and suspected terrorists imprisoned at Guantánamo Bay. President Bush continues to deny that our government uses torture. Perhaps he hasn't seen the pictures that came out of Abu Ghraib prison only a few years ago. Andrew Sullivan, once a Bush supporter, was quoted this past weekend in The Sunday Times of London as saying that the "enhanced interrogation" techniques used in our country have their roots in the German term Verschärfte Vermehmung, which means enhanced or intensified interrogation. The Gestapo coined the phrase during World War Two, applying it to methods of torture that left no marks, but was effective in its efforts.

Aren't we proud to have exported such a fine example of how to treat people from one of the most ruthless military regimes in history.

In contrast, Frank Rich, in a recent article for The New York Times, speaks of an elite unit from our own World War II military which was responsible for interrogating some of the worst Nazi leaders. These men have expressed great pride in getting the most information our of their prisoners by playing chess and ping pong, and in not surrendering their humanity in the process.

Mr. Rich goes on to speak of other situations with which we have become all too familiar over the years of Mr. Bush's presidency, encompassing many, many extensions and abuses of power of the executive office. His point in doing so is to say we have become so numb, so used to what is happening that we, and Congress, have ceased to care. Or at least we aren't saying or doing much to stop it. I would suggest we are all biding our time until we finally elect someone else. We've abdicated responsibility for everything that is happening as a result of this presidency, but we still must live with its consequences.

Having read Mr. Rich's article this morning, I have thought long and hard about what he wrote, finally realizing how closely this scenario resembles the events that occurred the night Jesus was betrayed.

We all know the story. After three years Jesus' ministry came to an end in dramatic fashion. Deserted by his closest followers, Jesus was left to be interrogated, ridiculed, mocked, beaten and spat upon by the governor's soldiers after Pilate had washed his hands of the situation. Leaving no names by which to call these people, we can only assume that those who interrogated Jesus had long ago compromised their integrity and humanity in pursuit of a safe spot in the juggernaut that was the Roman Empire. Jesus was one more prisoner to them. They may not even have been as hard on Jesus as they were on other prisoners. We do know that next came a long walk through screaming crowds calling for his execution, then the crucifixion itself. People who loved Jesus, had worked with him, had clamored for the chance to hear him speak or be healed by him, stood by and did nothing to help him. Many of their voices were included in the chorus to crucify. Self-preservation is a powerful motivator.

Mr. Rich's article has stayed with me through the day. He talked about something I have known all my life, that just as there were those around Jesus who knew he was innocent, there were Germans who knew what was happening in the concentration camps and they did nothing. Our country has held onto that as a reminder of how easily we insulate ourselves against that which we feel we have no power. But we here in the United States were supposedly different. We were different because we lived in a democracy, a place in which all people had a say, a vote and a responsibility to use that power for the good of humanity.

But we apparently are no different than any other people or nation that doesn't feel a hand, claim ownership in what their government is doing. It is tempting to simply complain, blame President Bush, Congress and Vice President Cheney. They do deserve the blame. But so do we if we think we are not culpable for what is being done in our name, with or without our active support. Consider the announcements made over and over in airports as we scramble to get to our gates in time for take off: Our bags, our bodies, can be seized and searched without cause. Most people think this is just fine because they believe it keeps us safe. That's all well and good, but do you remember voting away your Fourth Amendment rights? I don't. But that airport announcement states loudly and clearly that we no longer enjoy those protections against unlawful search and seizure. We didn't agree to this change of our constitutional rights, but we are subject to its consequences.

It is time to seek God's help in delivering us from the evil of neglecting our responsibility to our fellow citizens. We must raise our voices, reclaim our commitment to community and remember that everything we do - or leave undone - matters. Ignoring what is before us will not make it go away. We are called to be more than we have been. We are called to do more than we have done.

posted by Cory L. Kemp @ 4:33 PM