How Dare You, George Bush?

I haven't listened to or read the news in a few weeks.  I admit, I am so pissed about the war in Iraq and the behavior of W., I can barely stand to listen to the latest.   I have always been so proud of my country, but lately, I'd claim to be Canadian if I traveled abroad. I'm that upset about our behavior.

Even feeling that way, I was blown away - BLOWN AWAY - when I heard on NPR this morning that we seized the seven- and nine-year-old children of the 9/11 mastermind and flew them to this country for "interrogation."  The link I included above is definitely left-leaning and political, but NPR isn't.  My hands were shaking on the wheel and I almost had to pull over just thinking about two young boys being interrogated over something they had no idea about when they were already dealing with the loss of their father.

Now, don't get me wrong - screw Khalid Shaikh Mohammed, if he did it. He can rot in the fiery abyss for all I care.  But seriously, seriously, how can we as a country hold his two young boys responsible for telling us about Daddy's latest escapades at work?  Especially when he's like super-secret cover terrorist operative?  WTF?  ARE WE SERIOUS???

I am livid.  I am angry. What happened to my America, where we had morals and observed human rights issues and accused other countries of behaving improperly instead of running rampant across the rest of the world, secure in our stupid economic stronghold and military might?  How can this president, who publically attends church and has beautiful twin daughters and is, according to the interviewee on NPR, avidly engaged in the granular activities of day-to-day terrorist interrogations, authorize, no, encourage this behavior?  This kidnapping of a first-grader and a third-grader?  Have you seen any kids this age lately?  Do they seem particularly well-versed in world politics?  Who the hell do we think we are? 

As a mother, I can't help but see the world through the eyes of children as well as my own.  I can't ignore crimes against children the way I used to be able to do.  I don't care who the hell's kids those are, they didn't do anything wrong, and you don't get to pick your parents the way we pick our presidents.  Is transporting these children to America and scaring the shit out of them going to really make them think, "Hmm.  You're right, Daddy was wrong. I shouldn't grow up to be a terrorist just to get back at you for torturing me when I was seven?"

I really never thought my country would sink to these depths.  If there are any international readers out there, please accept our apologies.  I'm sorry, world.  Please forgive us - he knows not what he does.