I wrote the following essay on Facebook in 2017 about the U.S. torture of Iraqis at Abu Ghraib. That atrocity conducted by the U.S. military started in 2003 and wasn't widely reported until 2004. There was a little outrage vented by small groups of Americans, but the mass of the population was completely indifferent, and many even cheered on the torture and supported it.
I wrote this essay after the election of Donald Trump to discuss how a country that's largely indifferent to its military sadistically torturing the prisoners in its care was a country in moral decay and was a nation that could easily elect an amoral leader and potential dictator like Donald Trump just as it did in 2016 and could do again this year.
Though I wrote this essay exactly seven years ago, unfortunately, it still applies perfectly to today. Just as our acceptance of torture was a harbinger of a Trump presidency, this essay is also perfectly predictive of the current predominant American response to Israeli atrocities in Gaza and our continuing acceptance of mistreatment of Muslims. Our response to Abu Ghraib was indeed a sign and continues to demonstrate the character of the majority of Americans and shows how nothing has changed since 2004 and perhaps might even be worse. Our behavior in 2004 was a clear sign that explains American elections and the closing of most Americans' eyes to the atrocities in Gaza.
IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN A SIGN
When the news came out that the United States military tortured prisoners and the people of America did not rise up in indignation and fury it should have been a sign that we had lost our soul as a nation.
When no one was held responsible for the torture of fellow human beings it should have been a sign that we didn't care about the dignity of humanity and that America had lost its way.
When we didn't recognize this evil it should have been a sign of terminal decay and a clear indicator that the ideals of America were notions relevant only to scholars of history.
By accepting torture it showed that our fears had overcome our respect for basic human rights and human decency and it should have been a sign of a fundamental failing of our national character.
When polls showed that large majorities of Americans, especially those who call themselves Christians, still actually supported this torture even after the viciousness of it had been revealed, it should have been a sign that someone like Donald Trump was not only a possibility, but was also a likely future leader of America.
Why should we be astonished by the amoral nature of the one who now leads this country when, these past years we have accepted the torture of fellow human beings--an abomination in the eyes of God, no matter what religion one believes in. It is also an abomination in the eyes of those who have no God, yet still follow ethical conduct. It all should have been a sign.
When you accept torture, you can accept any atrocity, and you will follow any leader who promises you anything. When you do not hold your nation and its leaders accountable for torture--and you do not hold yourself accountable--you have departed beyond the boundaries of civilization.
It should have been a sign.
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