In the absurdly prolonged run up to the 2012 elections, the media has been chock full of stories about the continuing Great Recession and who has the best plan to reverse the frightening downward spiral of the American economy. As often happens in such a tense domestic political landscape, less attention has been paid to civil liberties and governmental infringement of rights. While I can’t argue about the importance of the economy, the Obama administration has continued, and often expanded, the odious tactics of Bush’s war on terror. This has led to a disturbing increase of restrictions on American civilians. Obama’s acceptance of the overreach of the national security apparatus, which has been done with both contrived reluctance and outright enthusiasm, is leading to the erosion of civil liberties and an expansion of the police state.
Some of the tactics used by the Obama administration have been criticized little because of perceived victories against terrorism, even when these “victories” violate international and American law and fail to advance our cause. Take the killing of Anwar Awlaki. Awlaki was quite openly involved in promoting al-Qaeda and violent attacks on the West. He gave advice to the Fort Hood shooter, and has crowed gleefully as American soldiers and civilians have died. The emotional case for his death exists, and it’s strongly appealing to anyone with a neoconservative bent. Yet the problem remains that the Awlaki killing absolutely violated American law. Awlaki was still a citizen, with all the rights to trial that entails. There was no attempt made by American security forces to capture him. The US made no attempt to hide its assassination, and took pride in it. When the President of the United States happily announces he just authorized the death of an American citizen without a trial, everyone should be concerned.
There are other instances where Obama has overseen the growing security state with at least a veneer of unwillingness. In the past, Obama has wowed the foreign policy progressives with grandiose talk of dismantling the prison in Guantanamo Bay. “The message that we are sending around the world 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… in a manner that is consistent with our values and our ideals.” This is really top notch politico-speak. He projects an air of confidence and strength yet still manages to defend civil liberties in the process. Wait, that sounds like a liberal who might just be able to get elected President! Unfortunately, as with many promises in politics, the reality is far from perfect. Guantanamo Bay remains open, and the Obama Justice Department has fought in court to keep prisoners held at places like Guantanamo Bay from seeking damages for being tortured. Obama can reason patiently all he wants about the political realities of the day, but the reality is that keeping this prison open is a national security hazard and harms our reputation all over the world. If the prison stays open and the government refuses to be held accountable for its illegal actions, the claim that the US is fighting for freedom rings a bit too hollow.
The President is certainly not the only one who carries blame for the injustices carried out in the name of the war on terror. Congressional Republicans, George Bush and his neoconservative cadre, and think tanks like the Heritage Foundation have contributed to the myth that torturing people is a good way to get useful information and keep our country safe. Victims of torture are likely to say anything at all under torture if they think it will keep them safe. The damage has been done to untold numbers of innocent victims in places like Iraq, Afghanistan, CIA prisons overseas, or Guantanamo Bay. Neocons also jumped for joy at Obama’s increase of drone attacks, as they signal a commitment by the US to continue to be the world police. While America should always stand up for human rights, it can’t do that if its government starts wars that kill thousands upon thousands of innocent civilians and leaves countries in shambles. The ideals of freedom outlined in the Declaration of Independence and Constitution do not make us the greatest nation on earth; they merely give us the potential to become it. An America that kills its citizens without trial, walks all over the Bill of Rights, and unilaterally violates other country’s territorial sovereignty in the hunt for an incredibly broadly defined enemy is certainly not the America the founding fathers hoped for. Obama needs to find a way to both articulate and act upon that. Campaign talk is easy, running a country is hard. You’re not better than the last guy if you do the same things he did.
