'Unbound By the Laws of Civilization'

With the conspicuous exception of his call for national unity in the wake of the 9/11 attacks, the defining moments of George Bush's presidency when taken together are a mosaic of avarice, hubris and treachery.

But as defining moments go, it will be hard to top his expected veto of a law requiring the CIA and other intelligence services to abide by the provisions prohibiting torture in the Army Field Manual.

As The New York Times notes in an editorial on the law, Bush has declared himself to be "unbound by the laws of civilization," but to give credit where it is due, the same can be pretty much said of Americans, as well.

Yes, there could be change aplenty if Barack Obama is the next president, but there are some underlying aspects of our society that will continue to confound and alarm:

Americans are said to be the most religious people in the world, but a majority of them condone torture.

Americans are said to believe in giving people a second chance, but one out of every 100 of them are in prison, many for so-called victimless crimes.

Americans are said to cherish their liberties, but there has been a sheep-like response to the Bush administration's repeated usurpation of those liberties.

Americans are said to value the sanctity of life, but as one mass shooting after another shows, it remains ridiculously easy to purchase handguns and other weaponry to take life away.

I could go on but I'm sure you get my point.