George Bush’s last July 4 (US Independence Day) speech as president was marred by anti-war demonstrations. Speaking at the residence of Thomas Jefferson, the author of the US declaration of independence, the embattled war president of the United States commended the principles and values of concern to the pioneers of the country such as independence, liberty and freedom.
However, when he was speaking hundreds of angry anti-war demonstrators interrupted him and called him a war criminal and the biggest violator of freedom of expression in the US. July 4 is normally reminiscent of the endeavors of the founders of America in fighting British colonialism and gaining independence.
In its early years of independence America often advocated respect for the rights of other nations and opposed Europe’s colonial approach. However, the self-appointed superpower used some of the most violent methods in killing the indigenous Indians, and in large parts of that country an oppressive and inhumane system of slavery existed not very long ago.
It should also be mentioned that for many years the US remained loyal to at least some principles and values advocated by its founding fathers.
As time passed, America’s political and economic hegemony took on more formidable forms; it turned into a cursed power that people like George Washington and Jefferson did not want to see. It is no secret that imperial hubris and violation of the rights of the people have reached a peak under the unpopular Bush regime.
Under the false pretext of 9/11 and the so-called war on terror, Bush and his cult has neglected and violated some of the most fundamental legacies of Jefferson, especially the Bill of Rights. Implementation of controversial laws such as the one on patriotism and eavesdropping telephonic conversations indeed threaten individual rights and civil liberties of the Americans and all those living and working in that country.
]Furthermore, by legalizing torture, Bush’s America has climbed to the top of the international list of countries making a mockery of human rights. The noecons and their darling in the White House invaded Afghanistan and Iraq -- two moves that visibly go against the declared wishes of the founders of
America.
The Iraqi war, a terrible case of lies, deception, greed and wishful thinking, has not only cut short the lives of nearly one million Iraqis but also dragged the American people into a quagmire with the highest death toll in 30 years.
The Iraq theater is also indicative of political, moral and economic corruption within the fast declining US political culture for justification of which senior US officials resort to every trick in the book, not to mention demagoguery, spin and intimidation of their own people.
Now that Bush is packing his bags, his government more than any other time in its controversial and corrupted eight-year history, has distanced itself from the political and ethical values promoted by the US’ independence-seeking founders. The disturbing pattern has rightly created deep concern among supporters of civil liberties and anti-war groups. The heckling and booing of their president on Friday by lovers of peace and law-abiding Americans speaks volumes and is an indication of what may lie ahead for the ostensibly most powerful country on Earth.