The Time Is Now
A U.S. Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
The U.S. Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) will investigate, acknowledge, and make restitution for human rights atrocities committed over the past 35 years in the name of American foreign policy.
The President shall appoint an 8 person Commission comprised of a liberal, a conservative, a business leader, a labor leader, a human rights expert, and a religious leader. Two random American citizens will be chosen by lottery to serve on the Commission. They’ll represent you and me.
Powers.
The US TRC will have the power to call before it anyone for questioning - from the soldier on the ground, to the general behind the lines; from the State Department staffer, to the Secretary of Defense. All shall be given immunity from war crimes prosecution in exchange for their cooperation and testimony. Also to appear before the Commission will be any person who experienced human rights atrocities linked to our government. We will honor their pain and give them an arena of dignity to step forward and grieve.
We will investigate.
A team from the Commission will fly to El Salvador or East Timor or Laos. Or Iraq. We will memorialize those we’ve hurt. Back home, the Commission will gather evidence. All sides will be heard. A Final Report will be issued and the President, on behalf of the American people, will apologize, ask forgiveness, and announce the following...
“All those brutalized by our government or by soldiers we trained, will forever be endowed with special rights and privileges. Health care, Housing relief, and Education will form the foundation of this restitution.”
The US Truth and Reconciliation Commission will not be perfect. But it will be an immense first step, a magnificent preliminary gesture to help restore our moral strength. We will learn to take responsibility and strive to heal those we’ve harmed. It is the very least we should do, and it will reflect the very best of our American character.