How Republicans would repair the image of America...

I interrupt this blog for a music break.

“Pardon me while I burst into flame
I’ve had enough of the world and its people’s mindless games”

The above lyrics are from “Pardon Me” by Incubus. They popped immediately into my mind as soon as I heard Rudy Giuliani’s response to the following question during the November 28th, 2007 CNN/Youtube debate: “How would you repair the image of America?”

Rudy Giuliani’s first words: “The most important thing to do is to make sure that we remain on offense against Islamic terrorism.”

John McCain’s first words: “We need to maintain the troop surge which is working in Iraq.”

Really? The best thing we can do to repair the charred, ragged remains of our image is to maintain the military actions which have so negatively damaged the perception of America domestically and abroad? Does anybody on the right side of the aisle, save Ron Paul, have a clue about this issue? Continuing down the same path is clearly not the correct answer.

I do not want the United States to bow down to people that want to do us harm. I believe that the United States has an obligation to defend itself and its interests, but I will be damned if the correct answer is waging wars without planning, torturing “enemy combatants”, and continuing to enact policies contrary to the core democratic value that this country has long held.

As a country, the United States has long been looked to as an example of morality. The United States have clearly lost that reputation in the world’s eyes. I fear that this loss may come back to haunt us when we really need to be in a position of moral leadership. Note to Republican presidential candidates: You can still be strong in national security while not placing the moral integrity of this country in the hands of misplaced and vacuous foreign policy. Furthermore, whether you want to it torture or “enhanced interrogation”, it is absolutely unacceptable for the United States to use such methods.