Moral Clarity

We hear a lot from the right wing about moral clarity, about clear lines between right and wrong. Well now we have a good example of that, don't we. The Republican party is about to decide that torture and the suspension of civil liberties are perfectly acceptable. And the Democratic leadership has apparently decided that, in the name of winning this election, they're going to support the proposal (or at least not strenuously oppose it). I have had a difficult time blogging lately, and I'll tell you why - I am thoroughly disillusioned with the people who are supposed to be leading me. Do we really believe that torture is either wise or moral? Do we really believe that civil liberties are in inconvenience, rather than essence of freedom? If we're going to discard our commitment to freedom and the good, then what the hell are we fighting for?

Let me tell you something. I am going to pay very close attention to the votes in the Senate on this legislation. I will reserve my particular ire for the Republicans, because they are leading the effort. But any quislings in the Democratic Party who support it are going to have some 'splaining to do. Do you hear that Hillary Clinton, Evan Bayh, Russ Feingold, Barack Obama, John Kerry, Joe Biden, and anyone else thinking about running for President? If you do this thing, I will not only refuse to support any of you who vote for it. I will make it my life's mission to ruin your ambitions for the Democratic nomination. As far as I'm concerned, this is the only vote that will matter.

While there may be an abstract distinction between doing evil out of ambition and doing evil out of weakness, in the end the outcome is the same: a deal with the devil. Whether they are afraid of being attacked, or consumed by ambition, or making a strategic calculation that other things are important, whatever the reason for voting for this travesty, any one who supports torture has sacrificed any claim to leadership, and any claim on my support.

There are always plenty of rationalizations for cooperating with evil, for abetting tyranny. Unfortunately all of them together cannot justify selling our souls.