After a full day of work, I sat down to check my email while the microwave was warming dinner. Turning on the TV, President Obama was speaking at the State Department earlier in the day. These were the first words I heard, "First, I can say without exception or equivocation that the United States will not torture."
Of course, I knew why he was saying those words. I had known for a long time. Still, I could hardly believe my ears. The President of the United States was having to say outloud, "the United States will not torture." It makes my stomach turn. Don't get me wrong, I am grateful that someone had the courage to say those words. How did we get to this place?
One way was certainly by allowing this to happen. By never saying the words outloud to ourselves and to others, we allowed it to happen. By thinking we had no control, we aloud it to happen. In a few seconds, I experienced shame and remorse and then immediately relief. I wish we could say, never again will it be true. Unfortunately, our history shows that when given the oportunities some Americans will take physical advantage of others. I can say never again on my watch and I will encourage those who I can influence to hold true in their lives the thought the United States will not torture.