Issue How do our domestic policies affect our standing in the world? Starter Part I: "Careful, the Walls Have Ears," political cartoon by John Kennedy published in the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette (September 11, 1957). Reproduced with permission of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. Part II: "Already, Spain has refused to extradite suspected Al Qaeda terrorists unless we guarantee that they will not be tried in military tribunals. Great Britain, our staunchest ally, is expressing concern, as are others in Western Europe. These criticisms are particularly disconcerting, since it is our country's State Department that every year grades other nations on their human rights practices, including whether they offer fair and public trials. Remember, too, that we are the nation that protests—rightly so—when US citizens such as Lori Berenson are brought before military tribunals rather than civilian courts. We should have enough confidence in our own system of justice - be it civilian or military—to be willing to allow the world to watch it work." Excerpt from speech by ABA President Robert Hirshon to the National League of Cities in Atlanta on December 7, 2001. Focus Questions To what extent should world opinion influence our decisions on domestic issues or questions of national security? The political cartoon was published at the height of the United States' school desegregation debate, part of the Civil Rights Movement that continued through the 1960s. In hindsight, what impression of the United States do you think the struggles of the Civil Rights Movement gave to the rest of the world? How do you think the use of military tribunals for the trial of suspected terrorists would affect the United States' credibility in questioning human rights practices around the world? Suggested Resources 'Why do they hate us?' by Peter Ford, staff writer of The Christian Science Monitor Peter Hessler, "Straight to Video," from The New Yorker (Oct. 15, 2001). An article on how the September 11 attacks "played" in a Chinese provincial city. "Estranged Partners," by Jessica T. Mathews, President, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace More resources for this topic Starters for this topic: 1  2  3  4  5  All (.pdf) Note: The views expressed here have not been approved by the House of Delegates or the Board of Governors of the American Bar Association, and accordingly, should not be construed as representing the policy of the American Bar Association, nor do they represent the official position or policies of the ABA Standing Committee on Public Education.