Why do we need the Geneva Convention?

Since we started the Bush Wars (my own words) I have been frustrated about the discussion whether the Geneva Convention applies to the enemy combatants or not. It makes me furious to hear the argument that these enemy combatants don’t adhere to it and therefore we don’t have to either. The same arguments are used for justification of torture.

This discussion makes me so furious because the people that argue about it don’t understand why we need to adhere to the Geneva Convention. It is not to protect the one in our custody, quite the contrary we need to do this for ourselves. If we argue the way many of us do that, if they don’t follow it, then we don’t have to either, nothing will ever change. Every side will claim to be right and justify whatever they do based on the opponents actions. No matter how criminal one or the other side might be, each side must have a sufficient believe that whatever they do has some justification. Good or bad – everybody believes in the justification of their actions.

We, the good guys (at least we think we are), need to adhere to the Geneva Convention, enforce human rights and respect the dignity of human life for our own sake. Human rights are a fundamental pillar of our world and our existence. There is no reason or excuse that can make us forget this or deny this. If we find reasons or excuses to violate human rights (disregard the Geneva Convention) we compromised our own believes and lowered ourselves to the level of our opponents. We are not worth the words we speak.

Yes, adhering to these believes and the human rights, treating our enemies with dignity and not violating our own standards may lead to suffering on our side. The opponent / enemy might gain an unfair advantage. He/she might exploit what looks like a weakness. But, nobody who ever fought in conflict ever thought that victory comes easy. In history, the good side often has the larger amount of casualties.

Morality is generally believed to start with the individual. Every individual learns and grows and along the path develops its own morality. The morality of many individuals leads to an understanding of morality in larger social groups and societies. These might be small groups, religious groups, political groups, tribes etc.. It is hard to get a larger group to decide on the absolute definition of good. It becomes even harder among different groups and fractions. The definitions of morality and consequently the definition of good has long been the goal of the field of Ethics. From Socrates and Plato to St. Augustine and Kant much thought and writings have been produced but there is no absolute agreement or ultimate result.

Emmanuel Kant has probably brought us the best reason why we need to adhere to our principles and believes, or in this case to our commitment to human rights. His principle of the Categorical Imperative is summarized in his first formulations as:
"Act only according to that maxim whereby you can at the same time will that it should become a universal law."

With regard to my initial statements; Geneva Convention should be considered an absolute, unconditional requirement for everybody who believes in human rights and the good of mankind (religious or atheist). The Geneva Convention asserts its authority in all circumstances, and nothing can justify the disregard of it.

If we do not adhere to the basic human right as described in the Geneva Convention, we are not better than our enemies; we lowered ourselves to the same low standards as what they believe in. We lose all rights of claiming the good of our actions.

One that wants to claim his/her actions to be moral has to act accordingly independent from any possible consequences it might bring.

Why am I starting this blog?

I am just the average (green card) American. I am not a politician, nor a historian, nor have I studied any of the social sciences. I simply feel that we, the American Citizens, have lost our voice. We live in a democratic society and elect our leaders on a regular basis. But, are they really representing us and our needs? Do they understand what we want? Do they know who hired them and who pays their salary? Yes, political ideology is a big part of the system, but should it be driving force for all we do?
Our societies are changing at a fast pace. With all the new technology and media we generate more information than ever. We feel that we understand this world better than ever before. But, I can’t help but think that we don’t see the trees because the forest obstructs our views. If we try to analyze our being it down to the facts of live it appears that nothing has changed. Yes that fabric of the clogh we hid it in has changed in color, but underneath it is all the same.
For years I have been complaining and trying to voice my thoughts. I have suffered from the fact that I am sitting idle on the sidelines. I don’t have what it takes to be politician or activist. I can’t participate in any group that helps to shape the world. I always tell people, don’t complain – go out and make a difference. And here I am and don’t follow my own Mantra. The excuses are many and nothing has changed. I know it this not going to change anything but I thought I can at least formulate my own thoughts and put them out there. To the very least I may learn something about myself by putting down my thoughts. I will not advertise it nor will I promote it. But if only one person stumbles about them and it will makes him/her think I have succeeded. It is not important if anyone agrees with me as long as it starts a process of thinking.
Please join me whenever you. Comment on what I write – good or bad. There are many excellent and gifted thinkers out there. I am not one of them. I just want to be the average Joe that lives unrecognized in the masses. But I do believe that my existence counts. Everybody that walks the grounds of the earth will leave his tracks. I hope mine will be there too.

Day One

I am just trying to get started. This is my first test.