This week we will just sort of see how everyone is doing, I’d like to repeat a little story on a local politician (who will be left nameless) and a local issue relating to the stimulus package, then move on to discuss the state of the world with respect to the debate over torture. We won’t talk so much about whether we did or didn’t, but more about whether we should or not.
The stimulus package … are we stimulating the wrong economy? Do we really want to restart the consumption-based economy just because it generates more jobs in the short run? Can we really all make a living by selling each other our arts and crafts? And what does a local politician’s comments tell us about why we are in trouble deep?
Torture – is it ever justified? We’ll do some of those thinking exercises left over from high school or any ethics class. Consider the following references.
Code of Conduct: The new Code of Conduct is not a part of the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ). Instead, the Code of Conduct is a personal conduct mandate for members of the American armed forces throughout the world.
Article I: I am an American, fighting in the armed forces which guard my country and our way of life. I am prepared to give my life in their defense.
Article II: I will never surrender of my own free will. If in command I will never surrender the members of my command while they still have the means to resist.
Article III: If I am captured, I will continue to resist by all means available. I will make every effort to escape and aid others to escape. I will accept neither parole nor special favors from the enemy.
Article IV: If I become a prisoner of war, I will keep faith with my fellow prisoners. I will give no information nor take part in any action which might be harmful to my comrades. If I am senior, I will take command. If not, I will obey the lawful orders of those appointed over me and will back them up in every way.
Article V: When questioned, should I become a prisoner of war, I am required to give name, rank, service, number, and date of birth. I will evade answering further questions to the utmost of my ability. I will make no oral or written statements disloyal to my country and its allies or harmful to their cause.
Article VI: I will never forget that I am an American, responsible for my actions, and dedicated to the principles which made my country free. I will trust in my God and in the United States of America.
Prisoner of War: (pow, or Pw), any person captured or interned by a belligerent power during war. In the strictest sense it is applied only to members of regularly organized armed forces, but by broader definition it has also included guerrillas, civilians who take up arms against an enemy openly, or noncombatants associated with a military force.
Hypocrosy? The old who knew what when?
The fine print:
What: Politics and a Pint
Where: The Contented Cow, Northfield
When: 26 April 2009, 6-7:30PM
References:
- http://www.theweek.com/article/index/95773/Nancy_Pelosi_and_waterboarding
- http://www.usmcpress.com/heritage/code_conduct.htm – code of conduct
- http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/477235/prisoner-of-war