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I don’t know if it’s just me, but it really seems like a day doesn’t go by without seeing some story about torture in Guantanamo Bay or a new revelation into CIA secret prisons. At first I was stunned, then I was disgusted. Now I’m just plain mad.
Mad that hundreds of men and women are being held and tortured without legal recourse;
Mad that such actions only make the rest of the world angrier at America and therefore more likely to attack us in the future;
Mad that a handful of powerful men are destroying our chances to bring about resolution in the Middle East.
And mad that at one point I dreamed of being a part of it all. Seriously.
I was a junior in high school when 9/11 happened. I waved the flags, prayed for our troops, and supported the Patriot Act. I even went a step further—I decided that I wanted to join the CIA. Already fascinated by international affairs and politics, I was enchanted by the thought of accessing/gathering raw data, traveling, and serving my country.
It wasn’t until spring semester of my sophomore year that I changed my mind. I was meeting with a ret. Marine Captain to plan my course into the agency, via military intelligence. Near the end, I told him how excited I was at the prospect of developing my analytical skills in combination with physical ability. He paused.
“Um… actually you probably won’t be analyzing much, per say. Why don’t we focus on getting you physically prepared?”
That was all he had to say. It suddenly struck me. As an operative I would be a tool. Thinking isn’t a skill you want in a tool. (Imagine a hammer looking up at you saying “Um, are you sure you want to hit the nail again?”) I valued my capacity for individual thought too much to be reduced to someone else’s tool.
Three years later, I am so incredibly thankful I changed my direction when I did. It has since become clear to me that the CIA, military, and Bush administration were not who I, in my teenage naïveté, supposed them to be. Silly me. I thought that only the “bad guys” tortured their prisoners. They were the ones with secret prisons and sensory deprivation techniques. I was wrong.
Yesterday’s BBC headline says it all:“US Interrogation Policy Condemned”. The adjacent BBC side panel reads, “CIA ‘Secret War’”, listing key stories over the past few months: “CIA admits water-boarding” reads one. “Inquiry into destroyed CIA tapes” reads another. And, my personal favorite, “US ‘may’ use waterboarding again”.
Yet everyone tries to pretend that we are still the “good guys.” The US Senate Armed Services Committee’s 18-month investigation continuously illustrates this duality:
On the one hand someone admits that yes, water-boarding has been used and may be used again,
then on the other hand, the Bush administration says that all detainees have been treated humanely.
There is no such thing as humane abuse.
Luckily I decided to follow my own path. But I often think of those who choose to follow their patriotism and idealism– those who perhaps discovered too late that Americans do torture, that presidents lie, and that wars are not just. And that makes me mad.
[photo courtesy of www.ongoing-tales.com]
14 Comments
BRAVO!!!! Finally, a piece on this site that isn’t some “me-centered” bit of fluff regarding trivial, self-absorbed minutiae. Hopefully the younger generation is finally waking up to the fact that they are about to step into a world where the USA will no longer be the undisputed, untouchable leader. Things are different, kids. Turn off “The Hills,” pull your head out, and start looking around.
While I appreciate your accolades, I disagree with your assertions. It is rather bizarre of you to take this site as a representation of my generation’s character and world-view. I and my fellow collegiates are sadly too aware of the mess other generations are leaving for us. So excuse us if we desire a few moments’ respite and decide to watch “The Hills”.
Why is it bizarre? It is true. Our generation is self-absorbed and superficial. Everyone is so shallow nowadays. We’re all a bit demoralized in some way.
Demoralized definitely, but I have to argue that I don’t think that we are any less self-absorbed than our parents were.
Perhaps you’re happy to let “hoorraaaay” judge you based on the contents of one website but, as a poli sci grad student, I object to being tarred with a massive brush of “”me-centered” fluff”.
That being said, obviously “hooorrraaay” didn’t do his/her research. CC is only as “me-centered” as any other blog out there (if anything it’s “us-centered”– a blog about issues and interests pertaining to college women) and as for “fluff” that’s really up to your own interpretation of what’s important.
“I don’t think that we are any less self-absorbed than our parents were.”
Actually, it would be an improvement if you were. Did you, perhaps, mean any “more” self-absorbed than your parents were?
I’m not saying it’s your generation’s fault that it tends to be selfish. To be sure, any generation that has been marketed to the way in which kids in the USA have been marketed to over the past 30 years cannot help but have a distorted view of what really matters in life let alone what goes on “behind the curtain.” The same tactics that were used to sell people $150 Nike shoes are now used to “sell” war. The point is, once a person “wakes up” to what’s really going on, it becomes their responsibility to inform others. I was just glad to see you actually try to do it. It’s admirable– regardless of how I may otherwise feel about the forum. And if “The Hills” was the exception to the rule of modern-day escapist TV fare instead of the rule, it wouldn’t be so bad. Sadly, it is not. What is true is that it is now more important than ever that people realize when the powers that be are manipulating the masses…and point it out.
Hooray, I agree we need to point out the world’s injustices. We need to do it often. BUT. We also need to take breathers. Relax. Have a laugh. Read about something ridiculous or “fluffy” for a while.
As long as “The Hills” isn’t on 24-7, I think it’s a fine break.
I also think CollegeCandy is much smarter than a lot of other websites targeted at this age group.
Excuse me, I of course forgot that older generations have a monopoly on “what really matters in life” and knowing “what goes on ‘behind the curtain’”.
I am a student of post-totalitarian transition and the degree to which my parent’s generation bungled this area of study during the 1990s is astounding. Shall I tell you the source of this bungling? The desire on the part of American corporations and politicians to enrich themselves quickly at the expense of the Eastern European Countries.
Why do I mention this? To illustrate that the criticism flows both ways. I and many others like me are frustrated with the inaction on the part of our elders to take serious action to help the world.
Every older generation believes that the younger generation is “more selfish” and less aware of the true nature of the universe.
The reality, however, is that each generations grows up at a different time, under different circumstances, and with different ambitions. Plato criticized Socrates and Aristotle then criticized Plato.
Stop criticizing and start helping. Stop tearing down and start supporting. I believe that my parent’s generation still has a large roll to play- my grandparent’s generation still holds many positions of power.
If you are as frustrated as you seem to be with the current inactivity, I would advise you to direct criticism towards your own generation first. You guys have the power right now. My generation is waiting in the wings– and trust me, many of us are quite eager to begin to clean up the mess you all are making.
You would be wise to follow your own preaching with regards to Plato. I suggest you keep everything that you write. In a few years (which, by the way, will go by in the blink of an eye) you can then look back at what you wrote, and I’m quite certain you’ll be amazed at how much you didn’t know back when you were young and knew everything. Indeed, every generation thinks the younger generation is moving in the wrong direction. That’s why they try to keep the younger generation from making the same mistakes their generation made. The secure members of the younger generation can take the advice in stride. Others, well…
I would never be so foolish as to think that I knew even one percentage of the “everything”. There is simply too much.
You say that you are trying to keep my generation from the mistakes that your generation made, yet you stated previously, “Did you, perhaps, mean any “more” self-absorbed than your parents were?” and similarly, “Hopefully the younger generation is finally waking up to the fact that they are about to step into a world where the USA will no longer be the undisputed, untouchable leader.”
Such comments seem critical for criticisms’ sake rather than pointed advice to be taken in stride.
I have no quarrel with advice passed down from elder generations, provided of course that such comments are actually words of advice. I am, however, quite frustrated by those who feel the obligation to be indiscriminately mean-spirited and critical of the younger generation.
Though you may be mad at how the CIA, military, and elected officials handle business, that shouldn’t deter you from joining. That may seem counter-intuitive, but really, how else do you expect to fix the very system that upsets you?
Do you think that torture miraculously started when George Bush came into office? Or that it will somehow just plain old stop if Obama gets elected? People are SO fast to jump on the blame George Bush train..because it’s the easiest thing to do. If you don’t like the way that your country runs, then do something about it. Take action. Writing a blog about things that people already know take place doesn’t really do much except give you a place to bitch about America and George Bush (shocking I know…people on here who don’t like George Bush??).
Josh: That was what I initially intended to do– fix the system from within. Once I moved to DC and met with a mentor, however, it soon became clear that once part of the CIA/DOD/Military Intelligence machine, I would be expected to follow orders– not think independently. I WANT to change things– but I feel that I have a better chance from the outside.
Katie:
“Writing a blog about things that people already know take place doesn’t really do much except give you a place to bitch about America and George Bush (shocking I know…people on here who don’t like George Bush??).”
My article isn’t Bush-bashing–I actually was pro-Bush during the 2000 and 2004 election. I’m actually not at all convinced that Obama or McCain would be able to stop the military elites from pushing torture tactics through. My lament is over the cold harsh reality of the current situation.
“If you don’t like the way that your country runs, then do something about it. Take action.”
I suppose you mean picketing the White House or marching down Constitution Ave. Yeah that doesn’t work so well. I live in DC and I know that Washingtonians simply step over those trying to make a statement as they head into work.
I’m frustrated with the whole American system. I hate politicians, I hate the way this country works– I’m neither a democrat nor a republican btw. Before you write me off as a pro-Europe elitist I should also mention that I’m also not a huge fan of the EU or any European government.
I’m an independent thinker… and that’s what my blog is lamenting– the fact that my country can’t use me.
to the original poster i have this to say, and an additional note to the rest of the posters at the end
so you think that the american military is CRUEL for interrogation? look at what the “enemy” does to prisoners. public execution, dismemberment, slaughter and rape. american military may treat prisoners of war “CRUELLY” to extract information, but said name prisoners are still able to continue life, which is more than can be said for many lost americans. the next thing is how do you treat a prsioner who is surrendering under a white flag that pulls a gun on you? and what does the american media do in return? makes our soldiers and marines look like monsters for shooting the aggressor.
the government, the politics, arent the greatest. but you really think that WE are the monsters? putting lives on the line. enduring conditions that you would probably consider inhumane as a civilian, and why? to protect the LIVES, not just the rights of americans and our allies?
croikey, listen to you babble and argue about self righteous garbage. i am a 20 year old, highschool dropout with under a 1.0 gpa but average percentile on a GED of 90+. you think that the younger generation is self absorbed because you only see and hear about the celebrated drama of teen suicide and problems. you all seem to think the “older” generations are all lacking due to the global problems that have been around since before time was time. nature dictates that we can not just simply get along. monkeys fight other monkeys, the “big cats” fight eachother, ants fight ants, EVERYTHING FIGHTS ITSELF, man is no exception! we just happen to be the only ones with tactical arms. the problems of today were a natural inevitability that we try to pretend doesnt exist. dont blame our problems on our predecesors because until you find the solution, your still a part of the problem.
so you think that the american military is CRUEL for interrogation? look at what the “enemy” does to prisoners. public execution, dismemberment, slaughter and rape.
But every day some politician is out there advocating the “American Way” with peace, democracy, equal rights, etc.
That was in large part the justification for invading Iraq– stopping the abuse.
That’s my issue with the current abuses.
I should also point out that if they were isolated incidents, I’d probably sadly admit that that’s war.
But that’s not the case.
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