Bush and Cronies Destroy America

But we can hopefully get it back this election year. Monday’s lead New York Times editorial refers to the cover-up of torture by the CIA and how, as a result, it is more difficult to recognize our country. Here are some highlights of how far we’ve fallen:

…men in some of the most trusted posts in the nation plotted to cover up the torture of prisoners by Central Intelligence Agency interrogators by destroying videotapes of their sickening behavior. It was impossible to see the founding principles of the greatest democracy in the contempt these men and their bosses showed for the Constitution, the rule of law and human decency.

Out of panic and ideology, President Bush squandered America’s position of moral and political leadership, swept aside international institutions and treaties, sullied America’s global image, and trampled on the constitutional pillars that have supported our democracy through the most terrifying and challenging times. These policies have fed the world’s anger and alienation and have not made any of us safer.

In the years since 9/11, we have seen American soldiers abuse, sexually humiliate, torment and murder prisoners in Afghanistan and Iraq. A few have been punished, but their leaders have never been called to account. We have seen mercenaries gun down Iraqi civilians with no fear of prosecution. We have seen the president, sworn to defend the Constitution, turn his powers on his own citizens, authorizing the intelligence agencies to spy on Americans, wiretapping phones and intercepting international e-mail messages without a warrant.

But we have ourselves to blame as long as we continue to elect people who will not be guardians of our Constitution, our environment, out planet and our humanity. The new year presents an opportunity to reverse course away from the uncaring, incompetent, reckless and self-serving power-grabbers who bamboozled too many Americans into believing they were worthy of their trust.

By: Alan

Alan Colmes is the publisher of Liberaland.