World needs to work toward common ground

Let’s suppose, Mr. Fuchs …

1. You torture the wrong person? It happens.

2. You accidentally kill your torture victim. It happens.

3. Suppose your torture victim says whatever you want them to say to stop the torture. It happens.

4. Suppose that the torture victim is one of your loved ones? It does happen to families all over the world.

There are international laws against torture. Torture also is a federal offense. Why is it acceptable for the U.S. to break the law concerning torture? Do we really want to say it’s OK to torture whoever we want, and put our own citizens, military and journalists in even greater jeopardy? Once we cross the line, how far will it go? Where will it stop?

Yes, a majority of Americans oppose torture, thank God. Also, a majority of Americans have a faith-based belief in a higher power than man. Although I haven’t studied all religions, the ones I have teach love, fellowship and compassionately reaching out to those less fortunate and repressed. I have, as of yet, come across any biblical writing that would agree with torturing any other living being.

Fear seems to be fueling a great many people would be believe that stockpiling weapons and being suspicious of anyone who appears different is going to keep us safe. I would hope that rational minds would continue to reach out to our enemies and find common ground to build a safer, saner world.

CINDY AASE

Sagle