"I can say without exception or equivocation that the United States will not torture," the president said at the State Department. "The message that we are sending around the world," he said as he signed the executive orders in the Oval Office, "is that the United States intends to prosecute the ongoing struggle against violence and terrorism, and we are going to do so vigilantly, we are going to do so effectively and we are going to do so in a manner that is consistent with our values and our ideals." "It is precisely our ideals that give us the strength and the moral high ground to be able to effectively deal with the unthinking violence that we see emanating from terrorist organizations around the world," he added. "We intend to win this fight. We're going to win it on our terms."
Excellent. Two and one half days into office, and what change we see already. I don't want to get carried away, but my spirits are greatly lifted. We can fight terrorism, and we can do it in a manner that does not bring shame upon us. In the past 8 years, I've been shamed enough by the powers in my country to last a lifetime longer than mine.
H/T to Juan Cole.
But the Bushies are complaining that the inauguration speech was "ungracious". Makes me laugh!
ReplyDeleteSo there Mr. Bush!
ReplyDeleteMakes me laugh!
ReplyDeleteIndeed! Feck 'em!
Jon Stewart had a Roman holiday with Cheney in that wheelchair.
ReplyDeleteThere will be times when our new President and Congress will disappoint us. But now, there will be times when they will do us proud, unlike the last 8 years.
I'd say that this is a great start.
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ReplyDeleteI take it comment moderation is now off, judging by the above comment...
ReplyDeleteBillyD, that one is assigned to spam. I forgot to delete the comment.
ReplyDeleteAmen, and amen.
ReplyDeleteWe really have lost our "moral high ground". We have replaced it with "might is right". I hope and pray that we will only act "in a manner consistent with our values and ideals". Unfortunately, it's not just the last 8 years that have seriously damaged our reputation in the world. Pres. Obama has a long, tough road ahead.
ReplyDeleteWe may - and surely will - have a few false starts, setbacks, and missteps, but overall we have begun to move in the right direction and that is exciting and to be encouraged.
ReplyDeleteI have to admit: I've been waking up in the morning and having to remind myself, "It's over! DumbDumb is really gone!!" And by evening, I hear news of what's occurred during the day, and I'm giddy all over again that there's an adult in the White House!
ReplyDeleteIt's great that they're gone. I thought the day would never come. The time between election day and Inauguration Day is too long.
ReplyDelete