A Higher Standard

Today on Fresh Air Terri Gross interviewed Joseph Margulies, the author of Guantanamo and the Abuse of Presidential Power, and Richard Samp of the Washington Legal Foundation. Mr. Margulies argued the position that Guantanamo reflects the policies of an administration that claims all power derived from wartime but disavows all accompanying restrains and restrictions. Mr. Samp presented the view that Guatanamo is legal, it could be a lot worse, and people should be more careful what they ask for.

I'm reminded of a high school debate in which I had to argue that the New Deal was worth its incredible price tag. It was a reasonably easy side to take, but at the end I was reprimanded for ignoring the emotional argument. What value do you place on the life of a child? If the program saved a single mother, and it was your mother, was it worth the cost?

Alright, I'm still floundering in that particular debate, but perhaps I can do clearer with Guantanamo. The U.S. is without question the most powerful country in the world, and in the history of the world. If, in all its power, it cannot adhere to a higher standard, then what hope is there? If at this point in history this country cannot afford to treat each member of humanity with all possible respect and restraint, then when will it occur?

"If one takes a life, it is as if he has killed all of humanity, if one saves a life, it is as if he has saved all of humanity."

Yes, we are powerful enough to do as we will to whomever we will. But what grace is there in that? If we dehumanize a single life, then we dehumanize all lives. There is no us and them, there is only thus, and we are all imprisoned by the policies of our elected leaders.