I, NanceGreggs, US Citizen ... - Democratic Underground

NanceGreggs

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Mon Mar-16-09 01:40 AM
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I, NanceGreggs, US Citizen ...

Edited on Mon Mar-16-09 01:50 AM by NanceGreggs

… do hereby declare that all fellow citizens who have participated in the use of torture, or the decision-making process that led to its use, or the “legal opining” that sanctioned it, are animals, totally unfit for living amongst the rest of us in freedom, completely unsuited to interact with ourselves, our family members, our friends – and, above all, our children.

I further declare – nay, demand – that if you are truly of the belief that your efforts have been for the good of the nation and its security, you come forward and state your case – and allow the rest of us to be the judge of your behaviour and your actions.

It’s easy. Just call your local “news” network and ask to be a guest in prime-time. You can then plead your case before the nation, and before the world. Hey, if you’re so sure you’ve “done the right thing” by all of us, you shouldn’t have too much trouble saying so in a public forum.

Be sure to have your wife and children in the audience as you look into the camera, and explain to the viewers how you knew what was going on, and said nothing – describe how you stood by and failed to lift a finger to stop the barbarity. You might want to throw in the phrase “I was just following orders” every now and then, just so we all understand your situation.

Direct the cameras to capture the reaction of your family members as you make your excuses – let the world watch your daughter’s horror-filled eyes as you talk about having made the nation safe by water-boarding detainees who had never been tried nor convicted of any crime. Let the world see your son’s reaction, when he learns of your involvement in torturing children of his own age to extract vague information, rendered under the most horrific of circumstances, that you would later point to as justification for your participation in some nameless young man's unending anguish.

Let them, and the world at large, watch as you describe the excruciating pain you allowed to be inflicted on others, who had never been found guilty of anything – while you, as guilty as they come, beg for the understanding and mercy you never afforded others in their moment of torment.

Truth be told, I guess you and I are not so unalike. Because I want to see you sweat. I want to watch you squirm, like the worm you are, as you beg for mercy from your fellow citizens – as you grovel for forgiveness for your crimes against humanity, against your country, against your fellow man.

But if you are guiltless, as you now want to claim – why don’t you come forward and declare your innocence?

Oh, that’s right, you can’t – because you are as guiltless as the guards at Auschwitz, Bergen-Belsen, Treblinka, Dachau – need I go on?

There is always a time of reckoning – sometimes it comes sooner rather than later, sometimes it catches you off-guard, just when you’ve lulled yourself into that false sense of security that tells you that you’re safe – because too much time has passed, and the world has forgotten your transgressions.

But this will not happen for you, my torturing friends. In a world of instant communication and access to the internet, your crimes will NOT be forgotten, nor your whereabouts relegated to some obscure news item that pronounces your current address as “believed to have escaped to South America”.

You criminals live among us – we know who you are, what you’ve done, and where you can be found.

And we will NEVER forget. And some of us will never rest until you are brought to justice.

Having said all of the above, all I can add is: “Have a nice day.” Because it may be your last – before you’re hauled off to face the consequences of your crimes.

Oh, and just one more thing, if I may? YOU DISGUST ME, EVERY LAST FUCKIN’ ONE OF YOU.

I guess that last bit needn't have been included - being so obvious and all. But I wanted to say it, just the same.

I am not alone in my anger, and my quest for justice.

But you are alone, as you stutter your excuses.

How's that feelin', right about now?