"Now, if I found out that there were high officials who knowingly, consciously broke existing laws, engaged in cover-ups of those crimes with knowledge forefront, then I think a basic principle of our Constitution is nobody above the law -- and I think that's roughly how I would look at it."
Our President, Barack Obama, said this on the campaign trail (hat tip to Something-The-Dog-Said for the quote).
Do you remember hearing this? I sure do. It is one of the reasons I threw my support behind him (I had been an Edwards man before this).
So what should we think of this? Just a broken campaign promise? Or he wasn't including TORTURE as a crime?
I'm not sure what to think...
I spoke to a friend of mine today, who I served overseas with during the 80's. He feels the same way I do - torture is NOT what we served our country for, it is not an acceptable thing to sweep under the rug, and something we both believe strongly in prosecuting. I wouldn't be surprised if more of the men and women I served in the military with, feel the same way.
I live in pain every day, and will for the rest of my life, because I fought for my country, and the Constitution. Part of the oath we take as soldiers is to protect and defend the Constitution as the highest law in the land.
Letting these SCUMBAGS off for torturing makes a hollow mockery of my pain, and the pain of countless other veterans, and of the lives lost protecting our country and our Constitution.
So before you tell me to settle down about this issue - go for a walk, or a run, or play some basketball or golf - it is more than I can do...and remember that I remember, every day, EXACTLY why I hurt; because I defended a Constitution that has apparently become little more than political lip service...