Christopher Hitchens undergoes waterboarding (and my thoughts on the issue)

Over the past year or so, I have thought, both to myself and aloud, that it would be interesting to experience waterboarding. I thought that it would be intriguing to see what Republican congressman dismiss as "no big deal" and promote as an "enhanced or aggressive interrogation technique." Now, I think that I will pass on ever experiencing it.

Vanity Fair approached Christopher Hitchens about his willingness to experience waterboarding first-hand. Below are 2 links. The first link is to the article concerning the events and the second link is to a video clip of approximately 4-5 minutes, during which Hitchens is waterboarded.

Hitchens writes about waterboarding demonstration and torture

Video of Hitchens being waterboarded

Thoughts:

It is not enough to say that the United States wants to be a leader in human rights. It is not enough to mouth empty promises in the hopes that these promises will be enough to convince others of our sincerity. It is not enough to settle for the same tired excuses for failing to hold our country to a higher standard. The truth is, the sooner people understand that the United States is not infallible in all areas, that it is a perfect country in all facets, the sooner we can move from a nation with false notions of itself to a nation with real issues, best intentions, and a humane approach to meeting the challenges presented by the current threats against our safety.

How can we chastise Cuba, China, North Korea, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and other nations on their human rights record and not reasonably expect to be met with cynicism? I do not mean to say that the United States has the deplorable human rights record throughout its history that these countries have. What I mean to acknowledge is this: Great leaders recognize their strengths AND their weaknesses and learn to play to their strengths while shoring up their weaknesses through strong support. Great leaders understand that they will mess up from time to time and that the perceived "weakness" of admitting an error and taking steps to change is actually much better than burying one's head in the sand and hoping that everything will go away.

I have had it "up to here" with the excuses people make for our country. I don't criticize the United States because I believe that this is a terrible country. I simply realize that even the best people (and countries) stumble from time to time and what I yearn for is the realization of America's potential. I, too, believe that the United States, when standing up for the rights and values of the people, is indeed the "last, best hope" for humanity.