The Restless Wave
John McCain
Contributed by Nina Calhoun
Chapter 3
Summary

McCain starts the third chapter by recounting the harrowing events that characterized an attack on the World Trade Center on 9/11. In this chapter, McCain explores the security challenges that the country has been facing in recent years. Since the 9/11 attacks, the men and women bestowed with the responsibility of protecting the country have been on alert at all times. Additionally, they have sought to track down the persons responsible for the attacks in order to serve justice. However, McCain acknowledges the challenges that the security agencies face. When they introduced ‘enhanced interrogation techniques' to help information gathering, a barrage of criticisms against these techniques erupted. Yet, there was still an immense amount of  pressure mounted on the organizations to deliver mandate and ensure that Americans are safe. McCain has made it extremely clear that, though he supports operations intended to guarantee the safety of all Americans, he reiterates that it is counterproductive to resort to measures that contravene the law. He continues to state that, “The most serious of the abuses authorized in the torture memos was waterboarding, the notorious practice where a cloth is placed over a restrained victim’s face, and water is poured into his open mouth and nose until he suffers acute panic from the sensation of drowning.” In the interest of the country, it is necessary for all security agencies to make sure they adhere to the legal foundations upon which their duties are founded. Any disregard to the law is likely to provide a fertile ground upon which lawlessness and illegality will thrive.

Analysis

America is faced with threats from all over the world, even within itself. The 9/11 attacks were a clear indication that there are people determined to achieve total destruction of the country if they get a chance. As a result, the security agencies have redirected their efforts towards the fight against terrorism and all other forms of extremism. Ordinarily, there are laws that govern the responsibilities of the law enforcement agencies. However, McCain writes that there are many instances in which the law enforcement agencies resort to tactics that are outside the confines of the law, especially during interrogations. He asks that, “Will we act in this world with respect for our founding conviction that all people have equal dignity in the eyes of God and should be accorded the same respect by the laws and governments of men?” He emphasizes that the foundation of any strong country is on the obedience to the rule of law. If all law enforcement agencies follow the provisions of the law in their operations, it will be beneficial for the country. Any victory of positive results obtained outside of the law is not likely to be beneficial in the long run.

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