In a new Amnesty International advertisement that will apparently start running tomorrow, horror writer Stephen King has published an open letter to President Obama asking him to rethink his position on calling for "an independent commission of inquiry into US torture."
In making this public plea to the president, King joins a diverse group that includes fellow writer Alice Walker, actor Martin Sheen, anti-torture activist Sister Dianna Ortiz, former prisoner Juma al Dossari, and many others.
This is an interesting ad because, while King does occasionally make his political positions known, I can't recall a time when he has spoken out so publicly on such a specific issue. He often gets asked about Maine politics, and does support political candidates from time to time (he was a big backer of independent governor Angus King (no relation) in the 1990s). He also supported Obama in the 2008 election.
But what interests me is that, unlike many of the other high-profile artists and activists who have spoken out on this issue, King is not generally associated with torture or human rights issues in general. That he has decided to take this stand may have a lot to say about how concern over the issue is spreading beyond the human rights crowd to other Americans who tend to pay less attention to the issue. Maybe I'm reading too much into it.
But let's see what King has to say. First he takes a conciliatory tone with the president:
I understand your reluctance to support an independent commission to investigate acts of torture committed by U.S. interrogators during the years since 9/11/01; there is a powerful urge to let indecent acts stay buried, lest they further besmirch our already tattered reputation in the court of world opinion.
While many on this site disagree with this sentiment outright, I like that King starts with this approach. This is the way Obama himself tends to deal with conflict: look at the person you're trying to convince, and offer an olive branch. But then, state your position clearly:
We did things in the heat of our outrage that must not be repeated. We allowed frightened leaders to commit acts that will come back to haunt us if they are not examined. Until this boil of secrecy is lanced, the infection will remain.
I like this language for two reasons. First of all, it's true and it's important that we keep talking about how much harm will be done this country if we don't open these secrets up to the light of day, and own up to our actions. Second, I really like the way he uses the term "frightened leaders." It describes Bush and co. in a nutshell, but also is provocative towards the president as well. Will he continue the path of frightened leadership?
I am one who typically defends Obama, and tends to buy into the notion that his long-view approach to politics takes time to work itself out, but will bear greater fruits in the long run. But I also agree with those who argue that we need to continue to push him.
I applaud King for making this point so publicly.
(Full disclosure: I'm from Bangor, Maine, originally - can't help feeling a bit proud of a fellow Bangor boy.)