Searching for high moral ground

To the editor: I’ve been admonished while protesting the Iraq war that only because American soldiers are in Iraq do I enjoy the opportunity to peacefully protest.. Hogwash. I have nothing but respect for the men and women in our military, but they are not in Iraq to protect my rights or your rights. First of all, we are going after the wrong guys. Saddam didn’t knock down those buildings. Secondly, the Bush response to 9/11 was the American Patriot Act which seems designed to allow the FBI and other shadowy government agencies to access personal data about anyone suspected of terrorism. In other words curtailing civil rights in the name of protecting them. Calling it the Patriot Act is a great example of what Orwell called “doublespeak.” More serious is the disregard for humane prisoner treatment. Our Constitution guarantees that no one will be incarcerated without a clear reason for arrest. Once in custody, a fair and open trial should be held in a court that assumes innocence until proved otherwise. Dick Cheney wants to make torture a permanent option for the CIA. Hey Dick, torture is terrorism. Maybe the folks who can’t stand to hear criticism of U.S. policy are remembering the good old days of WW II when our troops were crucial in defeating Fascism and defending our liberties. I dearly wish America stood on the high moral ground once again. Until we do, I will continue to raise my voice in protest and acknowledge that it is not military activities that preserve our freedoms, but the people who have the courage and clarity to criticize an administration that has done immeasurable harm. Richard Bennett Warwick