Restoring good will

Regarding the letter about 9/11 and why we haven't been attacked since ("Consider This Evidence: We Have Not Been Attacked," May 11): I think the larger picture is being missed here. I don't think credit is being given to intelligence gathering by the hard-working field agents. I believe President Barack Obama is taking the correct and wise course of action regarding what the past administration did, the way it dealt with the detainees, and moving on. To prosecute people who no longer control the CIA or govern only hurts the country and immobilizes the CIA.

The very day I am writing this, there is a story in the newspaper about the United States stating that the Taliban may have used phosphorus, which leaves chemical burns, against civilians. It is reported and for the most part taken as fact by most of the world. Why? Because as far as our friends and allies are concerned, we tell the truth. We abide by the rule of law and try to lead by example.

I think the people who think torturing keeps our country safe are naive. If you believe this, you have to go on the assumption that the very people who are doing your "policing" are trustworthy. Giving people such power all in the name of national safety is foolish - a very slippery slope.

I don't know if President Obama is a peacemaker, but it seems like he is consistently mocked by his detractors because he has a different approach to foreign policy. He is restoring our allies' good will toward us to pre-9/11 days. We will need our friends if we are attacked again, and I think he wisely knows this.

 

 

C. HUTSON

West Mifflin