National Security Comes First

By Michael M. Pipe

I argue why we need to live our values at home and abroad.

In the United States' choice on where to try and how to treat enemy combatants, criminal courts represent the strongest option.

On June 3, I had the honor and privilege to meet with a panel of retired generals and admirals, including Gen. Charles C. Krulak, commandant of the Marine Corps from 1995 to 1999, and Gen. Joseph P. Hoar, chief of U.S. Central Command from 1991 to 1994.

According to the two men, "how the United States holds enemy prisoners in our custody, how we treat them ... and how we try them are serious issues" affecting the safety of our men and women in uniform.

First, trying enemy combatants in military rather than civilian courts affords them the same status as our soldiers. It implicitly elevates their despicable acts to that of our professional soldiers.

Second, the United States must lead detainee treatment by example to encourage reciprocity. Gambling the safety of our soldiers with a do-as-I-say-not- as-I-do policy is one risk I'm not willing to take.

Third, according to Gen. David Maddox, former commander of the U.S. Army in Europe, poor detainee treatment aids terrorist organizations such as al-Qaida in new member recruitment. U.S. policies need to foster safety and security for our soldiers and citizens alike.

National security is one issue on which we cannot take a chance. We must elect a new type of representative -- one willing to stand up to the winds of political expediency and put the safety of our citizens, especially soldiers, first.