Response to Senator Harry Reid's closed senate session

Dear Editor,

I couldn't believe my ears. Was someone actually standing up and saying, "Let's get to the bottom of this? I had to write to this senator, who is the democratic minority leader, that decided enough was enough. So here was the letter I wrote and sent to him. Who knows, maybe I'll get more than a form letter response.

Dear Senator Harry Reid,

Kudos to you and all your constituents for finally challenging this ‘regime’ (who is entirely unchecked and out of control) about the manipulated intelli gence which duped the American public—and the Congress—into a reason for war. With everything that we now know or have suspected, it’s inconceivable that something so heinous isn’t being thoroughly investigated. By investigated I mean who leaked what to who and why, not indictments handed down for obstruction of justice and perjury during an investigation (which still begs and doesn’t answer the same question). The now current count of over 2,000—and counting—of american soldier deaths and the thousands more deaths of Iraqi soldiers and mostly civilian women and children, shows the magnitude of this crime—not to mention the Depleted Uranium from the bombs that are poisoning both american military, their families (who are getting largely ignored when they try to get help back in the US), and Iraqi civilians.

Let’s say, for arguments sake, that what we all feared is true; we were lied to. That would mean: we bombed the Iraqi’s, starved them with “The Money for Oil”; actually did disarm them, then bombed them again (while they were completely helpless); destroyed their current government and left a power void; tried to force our way of life on these people and they are now on the brink of civil war. And we really don’t have a plan of withdrawal. Would that be correct? How Brilliant! Is this what this administration wanted? Who do we think are are anyway, “a shining beacon of light in the world?” Give me a break; please stop the planet and let me get off!

As children growing up in the U.S. we are spoon-fed what it means to be American when we start reciting the Pledge of Allegiance in school in the morning. We then later learn about the struggle of the colonies, and the fight for independence, and the Civil War etc. This is then followed up with the many struggles that ensued and continue to the present day. We are shielded in our history books from the many atrocities and injustices along the way. All this aside, we still want to believe we are that bastion of truth and justice in a world going mad. In my lifetime, I never thought I would have to face the final conclusion: we are at the very heart of a grave wrong. I cannot sleep at night knowing this is going on. And there are many other things we have done that we are equally at fault for. But by far this has got to be one of the worst. I again, applaud you for your beginning effort to get to the bottom of this. Will this investigation also include: all the secrecy that’s been going on (for the full list look on the freedom of information act site). What is the...old communist Russia? Do we need fear everytime we check out a book at the local library that ‘Big Brother’ is watching? Is this really such a free society after all. If it is, what on earth is the Patriot Act needed for—which by the way has the record for several abuses. Oh, and consequently, so much for privacy. This is all very scary. Is this the vision for the future? Instead of a progressive society (albeit not perfect), that looks to the needs of its people on many levels, negotiates agreements with other countries respecting their sovereign right to govern themselves and also preserves the environment for future generations; we cater to the religious zealots—who momentarily have the pilot seat—who are bent on destroying everything in their path just to remain in power, and line their pockets as much as is physically possible and then some. So much for working and playing well with others which is the first lesson learned in Kindergarten. Do we need to go back to school?

I would ask you to delay the discussions for the Alito nomination till the investigation is concluded. Isn’t it the biggest coincidence that the president wants to have him nominated by the end of the year while this leak is being investigated—to defer attention? This is the same judge nominated to the circuit court by the first George Bush. This still smacks of cronyism. Why can’t the president nominate someone we all can be proud to have as our new associate justice instead of exclusively catering to the right who blasted him on his nomination of Harriet Myers.

Why don’t I hear anything about what is being done for alternative resources for energy? Do we need any more super storms to force us into action. Since the Tsunami (when the earth had a big hiccup) who hasn’t noticed the frequency of storms, earthquakes and other ‘record’ weather patterns all over the world; the result of advanced global warming. Why aren’t we working with other nations on this. Why do we exclude ourselves.

Why do we also exclude ourselves from compliance with the Geneva Convention. Can we honestly call ourselves civilized that can condone torture with our next breath through some loophole. I can't praise you enough for your recent efforts to stop this, and yet this president wants to stop the bill because it doesn't exclude the CIA. The news recently revealed there are other such torture sites like the one in Cuba in other countries. Hats off to the the countries who adamantly refused to deal with us in this. What kind of country are we living in anyway? I have to pinch myself to believe that I really live here. With all that we have to regret I still have hope that you and other elected officials will stand up to the plate with the American people and move steadfastly in the correct direction. Certainly, if we all put our heads together and work from a place of knowledge instead of fear and secrecy, how can we lose?

Michele Spector
Brick, NJ