This week ought to be a time of remembrance.
223 years ago today, George Washington laid the cornerstone of the United States Capitol, a magnificent symbol of our nation.
Yesterday some of us celebrated the 229th anniversary of our Constitution, something that is often forgotten in the shadow of Independence Day, though it is of much greater importance in my opinion.
On September 13th, 1932, Gandhi started a fast to protest Caste separation, which was a terrible form of discrimination, akin to the discrimination that still plaques the world.
And of course, a week ago many of us joined in saying that, "We Will Never Forget", the atrocities committed on 9/11.
But how many of us can truly say that we have never forgotten, or never will forget 9/11? I know that I for one, have forgotten that day many times, possibly because I was too young to realize the full import of the events. But in a deeper sense, I feel that we have really forgotten the most important lessons of that day. Allow me to elaborate.
On September 14th, 2001, three days after the attacks of 9/11, a very important event occurred. However, this event and the teaching is has for us has been widely forgotten. A memorial service was held that day for those who died in the attacks. Following a stirring call for action from President Bush, and a very powerful rendition of the Battle Hymn of the Republic was sang, Reverend Nathan Baxter offered a prayer. And in this prayer he said, among other things, 11 of the most meaningful and important words uttered in our time:
"As we act, let us not become the evil we deplore"
Stop to think about what that for one second. These 11 words were said, and broadcast over national television, just three days after the largest attack on our country since its conception. This was the most painful moment that we, as a nation, had faced since the civil war. We were the most united we had been for years, and we probably haven't been as united since. We were ready to strike back with force akin to war. The confusion was, that we didn't know exactly what to do, or how to act.
Which leads to the event that I really want to talk about.
15 years ago today a joint resolution was signed into law. This resolution, in my opinion, lost America's nobility. The resolution was short. Far too short. In a mere 60 words, congress managed to grant the President power to kill almost anyone on earth. Here is the text of that resolution, The Authorization for Use of Military Force:
"That the President is authorized to use all necessary and appropriate force against those nations, organizations, or persons he determines planned, authorized, committed, or aided the terrorist attacks that occurred on September 11, 2001, or harbored such organizations or persons, in order to prevent any future acts of international terrorism against the United States by such nations, organizations or persons."
The first time I read those words, they didn't catch me as being very remarkable or empowering. It wasn't until I did further research that I realized what those 60 words actually mean, and how they've been used.
First of all, there are two additional words which are often attributed to this resolution which are not found anywhere in the text. These two words are:
"Associated Forces"
Secondly, the resolution gives the President authorization to use force on any nation, organization, or person he determines to have assisted the attacks, or nations, organisations, or people who harbored them.
With those four words, the President can, without further approval from congress, use any necessary force against anybody he determines to be a force associated with al-queda. This is not only a breach in our checks and balances, but it has proven to be the door for 15 years of death and war for people across the globe. One must only watch footage of US drones bombing wedding caravans or groups of innocent Syrians to see the acts of terror we too have committed, using a mere 62 words to justify our terrible behavior.
I don't write these things to in any way undermine our nation, defend terrorists, or negate the significance of 9/11. On the contrary, I simply ask all of us to honestly review the actions our nation is making, or has made, and strive to do the right thing, and speak out when our country makes decisions we feel to be morally repulsive.
But more than that, I urge us to remember, really remember the important things from the past. Remember things like our Capitol, and what it used to represent. Remember our Constitution, and the great provision it is for bringing freedom and prosperity to the world. Remember great people like Gandhi, who stand against injustice, and remember those people who have been treated unjustly.
And never forget September 11th, 2001.
Also remember that, as we act, we must strive to not become the evil we act against.
We Will Never Forget...
Text of Resolution:
Radiolab, 60 Words:
President Signs AUMF:
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