The Dark Side
This week, Jane Mayer joins us for a book club discussion on her latest, The Dark Side: The Inside Story Of How The War On Terror Turned Into A War On American Ideals.
The book lays out in careful detail a chilling narrative-- how the Bush administration made the transition from the September 11th World Trade Center attacks to The War on Terror, to a systematic, institutionalized use of torture. This week, in the Bush-twillight, we turn our gaze to the future. What will the incumbent president do with an executive office that has left the constitution a smoldering wreck? In short, what will post-bush accountability look like? What will the consequences be?
Discussing along with Jane: Christopher Hitchens, journalist and literary critic, Scott Horton, Harpers Contributor and New York Attorney specializing in human rights law and the law of armed conflict, Emily Bazelon, senior editor at Slate, Spencer Ackerman, journalist and blogger and Marty Lederman, visting professor of Law at the Georgetown University Law Center, and blogger.
Jane's first post up shortly. Join us!
So, in this so-called "Bush twilight." it's time to tolerate the intolerable present and "turn our gaze to the future"? It's time surrender to men who openly and proudly turn Americans into torturers? To let our derelict representatives off the hook? To allow Pelosi's treasonous pre-emptive surrender -- her "off the table" edict" -- to stand unchallenged?
The questions posed -- this entire discussion -- is an escapist exercise. It reminds me of an addict who blithely continues on the road to hell while comforting themselves with the declaration "I'll quit tomorrow."
Seeking justice/retribution through criminal prosecution, whether here or at the Hague, can't break our bonds of complicity. Installing a benevolent dictator who promises to "give back" that which should never have been surrendered won't do it. Only impeachment is objection on behalf of the American people. Only by demanding impeachment do we declare ourselves citizens, not subjects.
Demanding anything less than impeachment -- turning "our gaze to the future" -- only serves to protect this War Criminal White House.
So, for the next discussion, how about bringing together a distinguished panel focused on confronting the stark realities of the present to discuss what each of us can do right now to make impeachment a reality?
October 3, 2008 7:40 PM | Reply | Permalink