From Other Sites on the Line: 17 Jun 08

America is STRONG

Cross posted from Right Truth
http://righttruth.typepad.com/right_truth/2008/06/to-those-against-our-interrogation-techniques.html

To those against our interrogation techniques ...

To those against the interrogation techniques our military uses on enemy combatants and terror suspects, I have one thing to say:

If our military undergoes "Survival Evasion Resistance and Escape" training as part of their military training, why in Heaven's name should we not put TERRORISTS and ENEMIES of the United States under those same techniques???

Those interrogation techniques, survival training techniques and resistance training, include sensory deprivation, sleep disruption, stress positions, water-boarding and slapping. I'm assuming it also includes verbally insulting them and their families even their religion. OH, THE HORROR!

No country is more in tune with human rights than the United States. Is it too much to ask that our enemies actually FEAR us? Should we simply bend over like some other Western nations? America is unique. There is no other nation like her, and I mean that in the best way possible. America is STRONG.

Democracies Can't Compromise on Core Values, from Natan Sharansky at Wall Street Journal, (hat tip Michael)

To Europeans, identity and democracy are locked in a zero-sum struggle. Strong identities, especially religious or national identities, are seen as a threat to democratic life. This is what Dominique Moisi, a special adviser at the French Institute of International Relations, meant when he said in 2006 that "the combination of religion and nationalism in America is frightening. We feel betrayed by God and by nationalism, which is why we are building the European Union as a barrier to religious warfare." [snip]

The idea that strong identities are an inherent threat to democracy and peace became further entrenched in Europe in the wake of World War II. Exponents of what I call postidentity theories – postnationalism, postmodernism and multiculturalism – argued that only by shedding the particular identities that divide us could we build a peaceful world. Supranational institutions such as the EU, the International Court of Justice and the United Nations were supposed to help overcome the prejudices of the past and forge a harmonious world based on universal values and human rights.

While these ideas have penetrated academia and elite thinking in the U.S., they remain at odds with the views of most Americans, who see no inherent contradiction between maintaining strong identities and the demands of democratic life. On the contrary, the right to express one's identity is seen as fundamental. Exercising such a right is regarded as acting in the best American tradition.

Mr. Sharansky concludes, at least the way I read his article, that in order to fight the common enemy, radical Islam [and Leftists] Europe will have to make an about-face, a 180 degree turn back, and become strong nations again, with strong religious and national identiies. I think this includes strong military, strong on self-defense. But that's just me.

Europeans are now saying goodbye to Mr. Bush, and hoping for the election of an American president who they believe shares their sophisticated postnational, postmodern and multicultural attitudes. But don't be surprised if, in the years ahead, European leaders, in order to protect freedom and democracy at home, start sounding more and more like the straight-shooting cowboy [President George W. Bush] from abroad they now love to hate.

Debbie on June 17, 2008 at 04:02 PM

A note from Radarsite: I simply love this post. I love it because of its directness, its simplicity, its intelligence and its passion. All qualities which the author, our good friend and blogging mentor Debbie Hamilton of Right Truth, is known for. For those of you who have not yet had the pleasure, Radarsite highly recommends Debbie Hamilton's always insightful and informative Right Truth. -- rg