How the US Can Get its Groove Back

[babylonsister]

Published on Saturday, August 2, 2008 by the Boston Globe


How the US Can Get its Groove Back


by John Shattuck

One of the biggest challenges facing the next president is how to restore US credibility in the world. Despite military assets unparalleled in history, US global standing has hit rock bottom.

The United States government is widely perceived today to be a violator of human rights. A poll conducted by the British Broadcasting Corp. last year in 18 countries on all continents revealed that 67 percent disapproved of US detention and interrogation practices in Guantanamo. Another poll in Germany, Great Britain, Poland, and India found that majorities or pluralities condemned the United States for torture and other violations of international law. A third poll by the Chicago Council on Foreign Relations showed that majorities in 13 countries, including traditional allies, believe “the US cannot be trusted to act responsibly in the world.”

The gap between America’s values and its actions has severely eroded US global influence. How does it get it back?

First, by obeying the law. The United States was founded on the rule of law. Human rights are defined and protected by the Constitution and international treaties ratified and incorporated into domestic law. By flouting basic rules - such as habeas corpus, the Convention Against Torture, and the Geneva Conventions - the US government has created a series of “law-free zones.” In these zones detainees have been abused, thousands held indefinitely without charges, and human rights trampled on.

Second, by practicing what we preach. The United States loses credibility when it charges others with human rights violations that it is also committing. The State Department routinely criticizes other countries for engaging in torture, detention without trial, and warrantless electronic surveillance, despite its own recent abysmal record in these areas.

Fortunately, history shows that US influence in the world can be restored when its values and policies are brought into alignment. A series of bipartisan human rights initiatives during five recent presidencies - three Republican and two Democratic - enhanced the stature of American foreign policy.

more...

http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2008/08/02/10764/

[dipsydoodle]

1. Actions speak louder than words.

He will need to demonstrate, to those of us outside the USA , " Change we can believe in "