Torture Memos

Following the resignation of the head of anti-terrorism here in Britain, on the radio there was a comment made by a former security services officer that, politicians are more willing to restrict civil liberties than are the security services. It is for this reason we need leaders of good level headed judgement.

Well that explains why we are having to fight to stop the relentless erosion of our civil liberties here.

In contrast, in America, President Barack Obama has released the memorandum issued by the last administration that lead to the US using torture. Further, he has made it clear that there will be no prosecution of the people involved.

While prosecution may have brought about some kind of justice, it would have created a political scar that would have wounded American society. Therefore it is better that is not a witch hunt. Further, while the actions of the CIA and others in the US looked and were wrong, prosecution would only have lead to bitterness and resentment as it would be those further down the “Food Chain” that would have suffered not the political leadership that authorised the torture in the first place. Also I think that America will learn a greater lesson by drawing a line under this, and moving forward.

The great mistake made by George W Bush, Tony Blair, and still being made by Gordon Brown here, is by capitulating to the Terrorists. The terrorists, and their figure head Osama the Bin Liner, wanted to provoke a war. As in any and all wars atrocities are carried out by both sides. Thus, any action by the western powers that results in civilian casualties or deaths feeds the myths that the terrorists are perpetuating.

I have no doubt that the threat of terrorism is still real, and that we must all be and remain vigilant. However, we also need to ensure that our governments do not give the terrorists what they want by letting our governments take away our freedoms, nor must they be allowed to abuse our abusers by means of torture.

Its far to easy just to act tough, talk tough, but that can make you look like a bully eventually. That was the grave mistake that Bush made. While I can understand the desire for revenge that the appalling attacks on 9/11 generated, the political rhetoric and the actions of the US, Britain and others, was just like throwing petroleum on the fire. Now at least with the passage of time and a much more level headed leadership, the mistakes of the past can and are being sorted out.

From snippets of information that has emerged, I have no doubt that the British Government was complicit in the kidnapping and torture of suspected terrorists too. So this is by no means an attack on the Bush Administration, in the US via the ballot box, America has resolved that. In Britain perhaps we can find the leadership we need here too, but looking at the motley crew who are or who seek to lead us I doubt it.

I am just glad that in some parts of the world sense and reason has prevailed.

A link to the American Civil Liberties Union where you can read the memorandum.