Torture, torture, torture, torture, torture, torture . . . seems to be the only word in the news this week! Usually I like to keep up with what's going on in the world, but between torture and dish about Levi Johnston, Bristol Palin's ex, everything else is lost in the flood.

Frankly I'd rather hear about Johnston, but for only one reason (okay, two; it's kind of fun to keep the Palin-party going): it's not the other. But seriously and more importantly, I'm starting to feel really queasy hearing about the way we've been treating prisoners. I'm not naïve and I know torture happens every day in some country in the world, in large and small ways. But hearing all these details about American activities is like hearing that my uncle or cousin is doing it. We are all related on this tiny planet, but the people from my country feel like closer relations. I disagree with a lot of them on a lot of issues, but this . . . turns my stomach.

From a more practical perspective, what must other countries think when they hear these reports? If this were a shaming culture, certain people would walk off into the woods never to return. But it's not. Those responsible are sheep hunting (dang, there's Levi again) or whatever it is a politician does after leaving office. The fat pension checks keep rolling in and health insurance is covered for life no matter how odious your behavior may have been on the job.

I hope Congress passes some kind of new law that retroactively limits lifetime benefits for government leaders who are so disrespectful of human life. There's been so much talk about change in recent months. Have we started to "Be the change we wish to see in the world," or is it all just talk?

Photo by Brad Pende