Letter: America’s greatness is always conditional

Posted 10/26/18

POTUS doesn’t seem to know what to do with the international outcry over the brutal death of Jamal Khashoggi, an American resident and contributor to the “Washington Post.” Recently …

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Letter: America’s greatness is always conditional

Posted

POTUS doesn’t seem to know what to do with the international outcry over the brutal death of Jamal Khashoggi, an American resident and contributor to the “Washington Post.” Recently a POTUS ally said that the journalist is a “mystery.”

That’s far from the truth. There are his writings and his open-book life story, both in and out of Saudi government and his work through journalism to bring about a more just society to that Arab country.

For his life’s work, he was murdered. It seems that POTUS will accept whatever circuitous and ever-changing story line that the Saudi government proffers to explain Khashoggi’s killing. It is clear, from this instance, and previous crises during this POTUS’ presidency that we cannot rely on him to make appropriate moral choices when responding to human rights crises.

POTUS’ affinity toward the Saudi Crown prince and that country’s government likely is based not just on the weapons deals between the U.S. and Saudi Arabia. Given POTUS’ appreciation for gold toilets and other gawdy furnishings, he must feel right at home in the Saudi palaces of power. Bad taste is one thing. Deal-making with murderers and enemies of democracy and humanity and the torturuous murder of a journalist are quite something else.

Although POTUS overstates the value, in dollars, of arms deals between the U.S. and Saudi Arabia, it is clear that American defense companies (Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, General Dynamics, Northrop Gruman) appreciate those contracts. But, keep in mind the monetary value of the contracts with the Pentagon far exceeds that of the Saudi contracts.

If the POTUS’ branding of “Make America Great Again” includes using American-made bombs to kill children and other innocents in Yemen, which is what the bombs are used for, that brand does not reflect what made America great nor keeps “her” so. 

America is something other than “great” when bombs stamped “Made in America” are used for these purposes. To continue to be great cannot be just a political slogan to arouse the emotions at the most simple levels. To be great, we must act great. We must put aside the value of money, in this instance, and act from the American value of justice, love of democracy, a genuine caring for those suffering and in need who have become victims of American-made bombs.

If we do otherwise, then what is the purpose, beyond our own self-interest and greed, for the enormous sacrifices Americans and our allies have made through countless wars, hardships and sacrifices? The next step for this government, POTUS and Congress, is clear and it seems only we Americans can take that step because of our government’s reluctance to act “great.”

The boycotting of the upcoming Saudi investment conference is a proper symbolic step by Secretary of Treasury Mnuchin. But, beyond that, we Americans must demand that our government suspend the arms sales to Saudi Arabia. That likely will stop the war in Yemen and save countless innocent lives.

We must demand that Congress pass legislation (Rep. Jim McGovern has recently introduced a bill) to hold Saudi Arabia accountable for Khashoggi’s murder. We, Americans, should become outspoken of our hope that the UN will investigate the death. We must tell Congress to insist on an international investigation.

Based on recent comments of both Sen. Lindsey Graham (R) and Rep. Adam Schiff (D), this will likely garner bipartisan support. It’s up to us American citizens to be vocal and act as if this country is, in fact, great.

Secretary of Treasury Mnuchin’s boycotting of the upcoming Saudi investment conference is a laudable symbolic step. As the trade group Aerospace Industries Association has said, “the industry looks to the government” for direction in its negotiations with Saudi Arabia.

Jay Miller

Bristol

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