America’s Must Do List

America used to stand for something. Does it still? Are we still the shining beacon of hope, the protector and defender of human rights around the world? I believe most Americans wish and believe this to be true. However, in recent times, our actions around the world have lead to a decline in our stature, our influence and our ability to take the higher moral ground, especially as it relates to human rights and basic decency in our treatment of others.

I think it’s pretty self-evident that the following is a list of very unAmerican activities. In fact, this list would pretty much match a list of things we were warned about; things that we fought totalitarian regimes to try and prevent from happening across the globe.

And now they’re being done in our name.

And just to forestall one criticism, no, 9/11 did NOT change everything! We’re still Americans and that still means something. It means we are an honorable people and strive to do the right thing. The right thing certainly does not include the activities oulined below.

List of Must Dos to Restore America’s Civil Liberties

• Restore Habeas Corpus
• Stop Illegal Spying
• Ban Torture, Really
• Close the C.I.A. Prisons
• Account for “Ghost Prisoners”
• Ban Extraordinary Rendition
• Tighten the Definition of Combatant
• Screen Prisoners Fairly and Effectively
• Ban Tainted Evidence
• Ban Secret Evidence
• Better Define “Classified” Evidence
• Respect the Right to Counsel

Thanks to Tom for the tip; there is an expanded version of the list available.

From Looney Dunes comes a nice piece illustrating that much as fine wines continue to improve with age, so it is with us.

One of the interesting things I’ve learned from reading blogs written by folks my age or older is how many of us feel an internal mental age that’s often decades younger than our physical bodies. I know that’s true for me; as I approached 50 I realized I had moved on to my late 20s or early 30s mentally. Every once in a while I think I may be growing up, but then something happens to disabuse me of that notion.

Interesting too is that at work we’ve had some discussions about the value of what’s called experiential learning; learning by doing, and then being able to both utilize what one has learned, and also share that knowledge with others.

So I encourage you to check out the aforementioned article; here’s a quote to pique your interest:

But it’s not all doom and gloom. An emerging body of research shows that a surprising array of mental functions hold up well into old age, while others actually get better. Vocabulary improves, as do other verbal abilities such as facility with synonyms and antonyms. Older brains are packed with more so-called expert knowledge — information relevant to your occupation or hobby. (Older bridge enthusiasts have at their mental beck-and-call many more bids and responses.) They also store more “cognitive templates,” or mental outlines of generic problems and solutions that can be tapped when confronting new problems.”

And remember: “oh well, a touch of grey, kind of suits you anyway.”