Deep thought

[AllentownJake]

What was worse. Our treatment of Japanese American Citizens during World War II or the Bush era war on terror policies.

I'm of two minds here, from a civil liberties of American Citizens standpoint the internment was worse. Torturing terrorist suspects however, I think was worse for our standing in the world.

[rurallib]

1. both are bad. Plus we still do not know the full depth of the torture.

[frogcycle]

2. given a choice between hanging and firing squad

I'd rather be in Cleveland

[MadMaddie]

3. I look at it like this

The Japanese Americans held during WWII was based on fear, the conditions were very poor but they weren't tortured. the Japanese lost their livelihoods, property and businesses.

The * era terror policies were based on fear, it is possible that a large number of those held had nothing to do with terrorism and they were being tortured.

Both were denied any due process.

Both are bad but what has happened over the last 8 years has damaged the US externally and internally. It has allowed the mindset of Jack Bauer to creep into the phsyche of the American public. Look at the police brutality rates over the last several years....(not all cops are bad) but there is a certain mentallity that has no problem stepping over the line. The Christian Right feels they are entitled to stripping Gays and anyone else of rights in this country and they feel entitled to bullying anyone that doesn't agree with them.

Just a few thoughts...

[AllentownJake]

4. Expanding what I said

However the Terrorist suspects for the most part are not American Citizens. The Internment allowed for American Citizens to be forcefully imprisoned with no due process. In effect the constitution was suspended. From a legal prospective for US Citizens it was worse. The Supreme Court ruled on it and said it was legal. Bad legal precedence to be out there.

The torture of terrorist suspects is the suspension of a signed treaty in a time of war. It says to the International America only honors their treaties when it is convenient. From an international prospective, it is far worse. It says the worst about our country to the rest of the world and how we view the rest of the world.

[MadMaddie]

5. I agree with your additional thoughts.

[FrenchieCat]

6. What was done to Citizens of this country was worse.......

because the constitution was totally flushed into the toilet.

[Honeycombe8]

7. I suppose it depends on whether you were the one interned or interrogated. nt

[Aloha Spirit]

8. Would you agree that, in general, Americans' tolerance for human rights abuses was higher in WWII?

[AllentownJake]

9. Yes and no

The interned were not tortured. I believe that would have had more of an out cry. I also do believe systematically rounding up Americans of one ethnic group would not be tolerated in 2009 by a majority of Americans.