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I've heard the "the GOP pulls this stunt near elections to force Democrats to take a stand that would cause them to look as if they are soft of national security" excuse
And let's say that's true...
All that excuse tells me is the GOP outwitted the Democratic Party...again.
If it's a "stunt" the GOP is always pulling, then it can't be a surprise stunt that catches anyone off guard...(fail to plan, plan to fail and all that)
So...why not meet this "stunt" head on?
Then there's the ever with us excuse of "people don't pay attention to the issues and what is really going on, so they are fooled by such stunts"
Well...then how about making a point of telling the people how they are manipulated?
Oh, but then you get..."if you tell people they are being manipulated, you offend the center and swing voters...no one wants to hear they are stupid"
Never mind that even the intelligent can be manipulated (so being stupid isn't the issue)...no one is immune. Just got to find the right button and anyone can be quacking on command.
Then there's "the Democrats can use this as an election slogan - the GOP supports torture"
Why is that a good thing? To allow the torture to continue so it can be used as an election slogan? To not speak up now from fear of losing an election later? What? I can't speak up against torture because I might lose? That's a reasonable excuse?
So it's best not to speak out because "good" political strategy demands silence?
Silence?
on Torture?
Silence on torture is a good thing?
So more people will be tortured because in the long run, that's good and it benefits the Democratic Party?
We can't save people from being tortured now but we'll get the guilty later?
We will? Honestly? Does anyone really believe that? In your heart of hearts, do you really think the guilty will be imprisoned for their crimes?
So one day in the future Bush is out of office and all is better because keeping quiet on torture was sound political strategy?
America will still be a war crime nation. America will still have supported, condoned and propped up war criminals.
Won't matter that Bush is out of office...Bush leaving will in NO way change our status as a war crime nation.
And if you can't speak out against torture now, who is going to take you serious later?
Won't the GOP just say, "Sure, the Democratic Party is saying that now, but at the time, all they gave was silence"
And aren't we taught that silence is consent?
For me, it's real simple. Torture is wrong. Shredding our basic laws is wrong. Ripping a part our Constitution is wrong. Speaking out, even at great cost, is the right thing to do.
You speak out against injustices even if that means your death.
You stand up for what's right even if it means you'll be killed for it.
And if ever there was a time for standing up, it's now.
This is just a small part of the "conversations" going on in my head.
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