Opposition to Military Commissions Act

Last September, Hillary Clinton emphasized her opposition to ill-considered military commissions legislation and said, “serious implications for our national security interests abroad, the rights of Americans at home, our reputation in the world and the safety of our troops.” She said the Senate is responsible in getting this right and also that “we must convict and punish the guilty in a way that reinforces their guilt before the world and does not undermine our values.” Hillary Clinton clearly wants to end the war, but she finds it necessary to find and capture the terrorists held responsible for 9/11, and defeat the enemy using every resource. Republicans and Democrats alike both want an end to the war, but both also would like to be victorious in this war and punish the terrorists.

In Clinton's statement to the President, she made a reference to George Washington. She stated, "General George Washington and the Continental Army retreated across New Jersey to Pennsylvania, suffering tremendous casualties and a body blow to the cause of American Independence...Soon afterward, Washington lead his soldiers across the Delaware River and onto victory in the Battle of Trenton. There he captured nearly 1000 foreign mercenaries and he faced a crucial choice. How would General Washington treat these prisoners? The British had already committed atrocities against Americans, including torture...General Washington announced a decision unique in human history..." George Washington said:

Treat them with humanity, and Let them have no reason to Complain of our Copying the brutal example of the British army in their Treatment of our unfortunate brethren.

Today, George Washington's values are wasting away. Our enemies are torturing American soldiers, and when the day comes to capturing a terrorist, we are challenged with what we should do.