As the new year of 2015 arrives, we celebrate and wish each other a healthy and prosperous upcoming year. We go to parties, watch Carson Daly or Ryan Seacrest host special countdown shows, and watch firework displays. Also, we reflect on the top stories of 2014 and hope that 2015 is a better year.

As I think back to the top stories of 2014, I am troubled that many of them are negative events. Ebola, ISIS, Boko Haram, Russia’s forceful annexation of Crimea and their alleged involvement in the shooting down of a Malaysian commercial flight, and increased racial tensions in the United States are just a handful of topics that quickly come to mind. Currently, the event that disturbs me the most is the Senate Intelligence Committee’s report on our country’s “enhanced interrogation techniques” on al Qaeda suspects after 9/11. After the Republicans did well in the midterm elections, the Senate Intelligence Committee decided to release information about the CIA’s torture policies that had taken place during the Bush administration. Even if the timing of the release of this information was politically necessary, the root of the matter is the lack of morality and the horrific crimes against humanity by the United States.

The United States of America is a country that is held in high regard by many parts of the world, and has now tarnished its reputation by announcing our torture techniques. The report states that the United States used torture techniques such as waterboarding, extreme sleep deprivation, threats of sexual abuse to family members, and the brutal beatings of naked prisoners. “Torture” is defined as “the act of inflicting excruciating pain, as punishment or revenge, as a means of getting a confession or information, or for sheer cruelty.” Excruciating pain and sheer cruelty are not words that should be associated with the United States. When I heard of this recent event, I immediately thought of the Geneva Convention. According to the laws set forth, prisoners residing in the USA should be humanely treated, not interrogated past basic information, and certainly not tortured. This horrific broadcast on the USA’s torture methods engenders a quote from the 18^th century BCE: “An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.” (Hammurabi’s Code)

As an American, I am outraged. As a Christian, I am in disbelief. During the Pope’s New Year’s address, he called for an end to wars. Unfortunately, that seems to be a daunting dream that is unrealistic at this time.

The world is small. It is not as big as you may think. We all have different cultures and beliefs and customs. Their god may not be the same as our God, but does that make them any less of a human being? Should we consider that crimes against humanity don’t apply to us if we want answers and retribution? Violence is wrong in any case; there are no words to describe the gut wrenching events of the 9/11 attack on our country. I agree that what happened was pure evil. I am only questioning the mindset of those who authorized the torture techniques of our own country. A moral line was undeniably crossed. I believe that backwards mentality will impede the Pope’s wish of peace. We should consider that everyone across the world probably made the same New Year’s wish for a happy, healthy, improved 2015. How is that possible if we don’t respect humanity? Let us start with improving ourselves and our country. Living by example is the only place to start.