The Repression of Opinion. Obama and the Torture Memos.
Three lawyers: Jay Bybee, Steven Bradbury and John Yoo, offered their legal opinions regarding the enhanced interrogation techniques. They were very careful about these decisions. They made sure that the interrogators were not causing physical harm, persistent mental harm, or physical pain. Their motive? To save American lives while remaining within the boundaries of the law.
Obama, our waffling president, released the so-called “Torture Memos” and promised that there would be no prosecutions. The next day, after the memos were released, he reversed his position and said prosecution would be up to the Attorney General.
And who is likely to be the target of prosecutions, investigations, and interrogations? The three lawyers who offered their opinions to a nation at war. Three men who were trying to serve to the best of their abilities. And now, for their efforts, they will be castigated, interrogated, questioned, and possibly prosecuted. Even if the prosecution does not happen, this will cost them hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of dollars, and careers left in shambles.
The lesson we all can learn from this? If you have an opinion, don’t offer it because they’ll come for you. If you are asked to serve, avoid it, because they’ll come for you. Don’t say what you think. Don’t say anything the current, or any future, administration might disagree with. The jackboots are on the stairs. The knock is at the door. And they will take you. That’s the hope and change our new president has brought to us.
