So I'm feeling like I ought to write something on my blog, but I don't really have anything to say at the moment. I'm feeling quite political today for some reason, and so I could very well write a whole post about my feelings on the US prison at Guatanamo (summary: should they close it? Yes. Will they? Not a chance.) However, I have decided the last thing my happy little blog needs is a heated political diatrabe, so rather than invite your wrath or apathy or whatever by rambling on about those sort of things I will simply post a couple interesting quotes to make of what you will.
#1- A very passionate political commentator on the News gave us this great quote. I wish I could remember his name, but he was squaring off against another pundit who was arguing that the Guantanamo prison should remain open and who gives a crap about the human rights of terrorists (which is by far the most popular position on the subject I have heard around here). The quote was, from my memory:
"We are fighting for something here. We are fighting for the rule of law, and we cannot become as bad as those we are fighting."
#2 - Lets read this one too:
"The United States is unequivocally opposed to the use and practice of torture. No circumstance whatsoever, including war, the threat of war, internal political instability, public emergency, or an order from a superior officer or public authority, may be invoked as a justification for or defense to committing torture. This is a longstanding commitment of the United States, repeatedly reaffirmed at the highest levels of the US Government."
US Second Periodic Report to the UN Committee against Torture
#3- And one more on this subject, a really long one:
"The protection and promotion of the universal values of the rule of law, human rights and democracy are ends in themselves. They are also essential for a world of justice, opportunity and stability. No security agenda and no drive for development will be successful unless they are based on the sure foundation of respect for human dignity…
I strongly believe that every nation that proclaims the rule of law at home must respect it abroad and that every nation that insists on it abroad must enforce it at home…
It would be a mistake to treat human rights as though there were a trade-off to be made between human rights and such goals as security or development. We only weaken our hand in fighting the horrors of extreme poverty or terrorism if, in our efforts to do so, we deny the very human rights that these scourges take away from citizens. Strategies based on the protection of human rights are vital for both our moral standing and the practical effectiveness of our actions."
UN Secretary General Kofi Annan in a report to the UN General Assembly
#4- I was reading Kurt Vonnegut last night, who is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors, and he gave this beautiful little quote that I just love. It fits very nicely with the comments on my last "Quote of the Day" post:
"Unlike my Socialist grandfather Ben Wills, who was a nobody, I have no reforms to propose. I think any form of government, not just Capitalism, is whatever the people who have all our money, drunk or sober, sane or insane, decide to do today."
Which also brings to mind that great quote from Disney's Aladdin:
"Ever heard of the golden rule? He who has the gold, makes the rules!"
Well I thought I had more quotes but I'm done for now. If you are interested, you can check out my new blog which contains some stuff I've written; short stories and poems and the like. The link is over on the sidebar to your right. Enjoy.
#1- A very passionate political commentator on the News gave us this great quote. I wish I could remember his name, but he was squaring off against another pundit who was arguing that the Guantanamo prison should remain open and who gives a crap about the human rights of terrorists (which is by far the most popular position on the subject I have heard around here). The quote was, from my memory:
"We are fighting for something here. We are fighting for the rule of law, and we cannot become as bad as those we are fighting."
#2 - Lets read this one too:
"The United States is unequivocally opposed to the use and practice of torture. No circumstance whatsoever, including war, the threat of war, internal political instability, public emergency, or an order from a superior officer or public authority, may be invoked as a justification for or defense to committing torture. This is a longstanding commitment of the United States, repeatedly reaffirmed at the highest levels of the US Government."
US Second Periodic Report to the UN Committee against Torture
#3- And one more on this subject, a really long one:
"The protection and promotion of the universal values of the rule of law, human rights and democracy are ends in themselves. They are also essential for a world of justice, opportunity and stability. No security agenda and no drive for development will be successful unless they are based on the sure foundation of respect for human dignity…
I strongly believe that every nation that proclaims the rule of law at home must respect it abroad and that every nation that insists on it abroad must enforce it at home…
It would be a mistake to treat human rights as though there were a trade-off to be made between human rights and such goals as security or development. We only weaken our hand in fighting the horrors of extreme poverty or terrorism if, in our efforts to do so, we deny the very human rights that these scourges take away from citizens. Strategies based on the protection of human rights are vital for both our moral standing and the practical effectiveness of our actions."
UN Secretary General Kofi Annan in a report to the UN General Assembly
#4- I was reading Kurt Vonnegut last night, who is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors, and he gave this beautiful little quote that I just love. It fits very nicely with the comments on my last "Quote of the Day" post:
"Unlike my Socialist grandfather Ben Wills, who was a nobody, I have no reforms to propose. I think any form of government, not just Capitalism, is whatever the people who have all our money, drunk or sober, sane or insane, decide to do today."
Which also brings to mind that great quote from Disney's Aladdin:
"Ever heard of the golden rule? He who has the gold, makes the rules!"
Well I thought I had more quotes but I'm done for now. If you are interested, you can check out my new blog which contains some stuff I've written; short stories and poems and the like. The link is over on the sidebar to your right. Enjoy.
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