http://www.cnn.com/2012/07/04/opinion/barnett-human-rights/index.html?eref=mrss_igoogle_cnn


(CNN) –– Independence Day is a celebration not just of America's independence, but also of the values that are important to our nation, like liberty, democracy and human rights.

Recently, former President Jimmy Carter suggested that America should be a little less self-congratulatory and a little more self-critical. He was concerned that America is abandoning its role as a leading advocate for human rights. It is hard to disagree with some of his observations. But, America has not fallen behind in providing moral leadership in the world. The current period is no different from earlier decades. It is not, as Carter said, either "cruel" or "unusual."

There is no doubt that both the Bush and Obama administrations have trampled on fundamental human rights norms on the grounds that certain sacrifices must be made in order to protect American national interests. The question naturally arises: Couldn't the United States have found ways to fight terrorism without turning human rights into collateral damage?
Michael Barnett


There is evidence that sacrificing human rights has not made America any safer. For instance, the increased use of drone attacks might or might not have disrupted terror networks in Pakistan and Afghanistan, but we do know that they have killed and injured countless civilians and inflamed anti-American rhetoric. The issue isn't whether the United States will be able to win a popularity contest in the region (this is doubtful even in the best of times), but rather, that alienating large swaths of the local population makes it much more difficult to defeat terrorism.

Our politicians of both teams could give PHD level courses in corruption.

Corruption in the United States is nowhere near at the level it is in most of the world. Here we are still outraged by it. Most places accept it as a way of life.

I'm not sure exactly what we're discussing here so I'll be careful what I say - I'd hate to accidentally agree with 0ldGuy on something.

I think this time we can reluctantly and sadly agree with him.

We have 400lb. homeless women so I'd wager we are the world leader in human rights. Look at the nations with the skinny fuckers to see the worst offenders.

Only if you don't consider all the immoral people.

Keep telling yourself that.

Fuck Jimmuh Carter with a rusty crowbar.

Leader? Definitely. Moral? ...well, depends on what you're talking about.

No

and NOBODY is asking the USA to do so

NOBODY!

I have too.  Just because the bribes aren't given outright, doesn't mean they aren't given.  We just chose not to acknowledge them.

http://cpi.transparency.org/cpi2011/results/

Most Americans except it as a way of life now too.

That article was colossally ignorant on the actual and practical uses of national power and foreign policy.  

Waterboarding =/= atrocities.  Civilian casualties during combat ops =/= "disregarding human rights."  It's called shit happens in warfare, and the REAL indication of US respect for human rights is whether or not our ROEs put our forces at greater risk of harm in an effort to protect the civilians around them.  (I submit the answer is "yes.")

The author makes the mistaken assumption that the life of a terrorist (or any other member of a country or organization hostile to the United States) is worth the same or more than the life of a single US citizen.  He would be wrong.

We should get involved when vital or major national interests are at stake, and not before.  Rwanda?  Not a candidate.  Access to abortion in some third-world country?  Not so much.  Criminal Court?  Since it specifically undermines the protections of US citizens under the Constitution, not just no, but HELL no.

It's stupid to think that countries or companies or any other type of organization are moral or immoral.

Individuals can be moral or not, organizations of people cannot.

Google "Cuyahoga County corruption probe."

And drone strikes are not immoral. They are, in fact, highly moral in my opinion.  Yes, America is the moral leader of the world.

Our elections are still held on schedule, our military don't roam the countryside brutalizing women and I don't have to give the local strongman a percentage of my food each week in order to keep my limbs from being hacked off.

Essentially, no.....................

............................but you rarely win playing fair.

One only has to look at Washington crossing the Delaware to realize that.
___________________________________________________________________________
("We will attack on Christmas and celebrate it the next day."––Colonel Faulkner, (w,stte), "The Wild Geese")

This. It's acceptable business practice in many other places. America is pretty low on the totem pole as far as corruption goes.

Ha ha go develop an industrial park in Ho Chi Minh City Vietnam. Spend some time doing business in less developed countries. Then get back to me about your above statement. Believe me, It's not speculation, it's a fact.

If you look to politicians for moral examples, you are a fool.

I love the smell of affirmation in the afternoon.