I try to avoid America-bashing since it has become really ordinary; a whole whiny discourse of its own. With an interest in international politics it is however hard to ignore the facts. Reality is that superpowers like the States aren't amongst the most honorable actors on the world stage. Todays newspaper offered me a topic I can't allow to pass by without mentioning: the accountability of former US-president George W. Bush for the violation of human rights.
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| National hero, war criminal or both? |
In the light of the War on Terror, pronounced by president Bush after the September 11 attacks, a lot of policy shifts were made. The one that concerns us here is his decision to allow 'reinforced interrogation techniques' to be used against suspected terrorists. By now Guantanamo and Abu Ghraib have become concepts in itself. In military-penitentiary complexes like these, human rights may be violated to safeguard national security. In the case of Abu Ghraib sheer fun of the occupying forces also was a valid reason for mistreatment. Keep in mind that in a lot of cases the objects of torture were only <u>suspected</u> terrorists. Last time I checked guilt was determined trough a fair trial. Nonetheless president Bush allowed practices such as waterboarding to be used against people that ever got past being accused.
One of the leading NGO's in protecting human rights is Amnesty International (AI). This organization has send a thousand-page report to the Canadian authorities, requesting the apprehension of George W. Bush if he would visit the country as planned for October 20th. The Canadian responded negatively to what they called 'a stunt', but worldwide pressure is big. Bush already had to cancel a trip to Switzerland and if he would visit my country - Belgium - he would be extradited to the International Criminal Court for sure. Now, I do think Bush is responsible for some nasty stuff, but that is not the point of extradition at all. What really matters is that the United States government, and most US citizens for that matter, refuses to accept that its (former) leaders are accountable for their acts. Even, or particularly, when such acts violate the rights of individuals who can not appeal to the US judicial institutions.
The Obama administration has no intention of handing Bush over to international justice, nor does Canada so it seems. The entire topic is highly controversial in the States since the protection of national security seems to be very important to a lot of people. More important than the human rights and dignity of some Muslim guy who probably hates America anyway. All I can say is 'keep the pressure on'. Americans need to learn that they can not intervene outside their own judicial territory without being accountable to anyone.
For those interested in this particular case and its details; you can always take a look at Bugliosi's The Prosecution of George W. Bush For Murder. I haven't read it myself, but it was suggested to me by a good friend. He called it 'comprehensive', for whatever that is worth.
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Americans are quick to demand others to pay for their crimes, but when it comes to their own leaders they handle different criteria. For example: the US does not recognize the authority of the International Tribunal at the Hague.
If you ask me, Bush is more a war criminal then he is a national hero. I can see little heroism in his character and actions. But then again, history will judge him. Perhaps the public opinion will become milder as time passes?
As we see now we the alleged Iranian terrorist plot, tensions arise quickly, and before you know it, things escalate. If Iran is attacked history will not repeat itself, however. Because Iran is no Iraq, and Khameini\Ahmadinejad no Saddam. I hope the American people are capable of learning from their past mistakes. But often, I seriously doubt it.
I like to compare America to a tall kid who likes to bully his peers. He's physically strong but mentally, not so much. One day he will encounter someone stronger then him - who might appear weak. The aggresive boy will get his ass kicked. Maybe then, he will learn. The bigger they come, the harder they fall. But untill America falls on it's and gets beaten, America and the American will not learn. That is my personal opinion.
One day, sooner rather then later, the guy elected into the White House will no longer be the guy who runs the world. Although he still beliefs he is. A dangerous combination.
@J.J. Ekens: Thanks for sharing your insights. I largely agree with your opinion. To me, the US is however not so much of a bully. I rather see the States as the arrogant popular kid: always used to be in the middle of all attention and believing in its moral superiority. As new kids come into town, not everybody wants to play with the US anymore...
With it's popularity waning, the once so popular kid tries desperately to hold on to the glorious days from the past. His ego is to big to allow him to face the truth: the entire world no longer looks up to Uncle Sam - far from it, the world starts to see him for who he truly is. As a result, he becomes more and more isolated in the world, while facing internal struggle at the same time. This will eventually lead to his ultimate and permanent fall from grace.
Everyone who studies the history of America, and their foreign policies, will soon realise it is based almost entirely on opportunism, the prospect of personal gain and hypocrisy, not neccessarily in that order. How can anyone expect a country like Iran to be on good terms with Washington knowing America aided Saddam in the Iran-Iraq war? How can anyone not shake his head in disbelief watching US forces fight the Taliban after they had financed it for decades while fighting the USSR? This year, with Mubarak's fall, we saw it once again. The hesitation, the condemnation that came too late. People are getting smarter, more critical, social media is on the rise. America's true colours are showing, and we can see Uncle Sam for the monster he really is.
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