Justice

Justice according to the dictionary is, among other definitions,

the moral principle determining just conduct.

Justice in all affairs is one principle upon which America was founded. In recent years we have witnessed a significant erosion of basic principles of humanity included in just behavior. The Bush administration pushed forward programs of detention and abuse including torture in the name of fighting a terrorist enemy. Many detainees have been declared innocent. Very few have been tried or are about to be seen in a court of law.

An alternate definition of justice is

the maintenance or administration of what is just by law, as by judicial or other proceedings

Under this definition justice has been lacking for a few years in our nation.

A basic problem facing our nation today is the past torture of detainees. That such abuse occurred is no longer a matter of contention. The issue comes in the public acceptance of this abuse as a normal function of American government. Torture is defined as

the act of inflicting excruciating pain, as punishment or revenge, as a means of getting a confession or information, or for sheer cruelty

Under the Bush/Cheney administration this definition was modified to reach the edges of human endurance. As defined by then Attorney General Alberto Gonzales interrogation up to the point of organ failure was legitimate and not defined as torture. The point of common definition was far surpassed by the memo and the new definition.

Reports in the news quote Obama advisors saying there will be no investigation of the previous administration's involvement in harsh interrogation techniques. Can there be justice if the possible criminal actions of Bush/Cheney are not investigated? At least if an open and fair court of law finds them innocent we can rest as citizens knowing our system worked. What end is left without investigation?

The debate may continue for years to come as we as a nation decide if or not torture is an acceptable practice. I would argue there are no circumstances under which the inhumane treatment of any human is acceptable. Not one situation justifies the torture of another human. That we as a society are even having the debate baffles me. How can any reasonable person accept the idea of torturing another human being?

Our nation has many issues to face in the weeks and years to come. We must examine our moral compass and come to conclusions as to our national direction. Our nation was founded on principles of liberty and justice for ALL. Let us hope we can find our way back to those basic ideals in our future.

Peace.