I daily read letters and articles in the Marietta Daily Journal and in the Atlanta Journal and Constitution by those actually trying to justify the use of torture by our own government. Have we gone mad? 

The Government has now confirmed that the writ of habeas corpus does not apply to U.S. Citizen Jose Padilla or any other person the President says is an "enemy combatant." We now run secret prisons in Eastern Europe and engage in "extraordinary renditions."

We are told that to criticize the President and his reasons for going to war is to give aid and comfort to the enemy.  Perhaps we who do so should be tried for treason?

We are told that we are now in a permanent state of war and reserve the right to invade any country that doesn't see things our way.  So now, as George Orwell wrote in his book, "1984," "War is peace. "War makers are peacekeepers." "He who controls the present, controls the past."  "He who controls the past controls the future."  "Ignorance is Strength."  "Freedom is Slavery."

We are told that 9/11 changes everything and justifies anything. War heroes like Murtha, Kerry, and McCain are attacked because they tell us that things are not going well or because they have a different point of view.

We live in a constant state of fear ranging from the overblown bird-flu propaganda, to changing colors on a terror alert chart. Be afraid! Of what? We don't know for certain. Of whom? Nobody and everybody. What should we do? Be alert and keep shopping.

What has happened to our country? Are we so concerned about what we are against that we forget what we are for? If so, the terrorists have already won. 

Contact Sander Bellman

(Published in the Marietta Daily Journal, Dec. 5, 2005)