It is interesting and gratifying to read that the antics of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) are causing embarrassment not only to the United States but many allies as well. I have nothing against the United States or its allies; in fact, I am a cencerned and conscientious American citizen who wishes I could have creater confidence and pride in the behavior of the nation. Lately, I have been more and more ashamed of the conduct of America as a member nation of the planet Earth.

Consequently, I am hoping that the illegal actions of the CIA lead to some changes. It would be nice if the changes didn't involve bringing to light official actions condoned by the American government that are in violation of human rights and international law. It makes the other nations of the world less likely to trust the United States when trust is necessary to get common goals accomplished.

Exacerbating the growing distrust of American motives is the distrust citizens of other countries now have in their own governments, since it appears that American allies either conspired with the US to violate international agreements against torture, or they were incompetent and had no idea what the CIA was doing on their very own soil. It is a classic lose-lose situation for national heads of state who are involved.

I believe in the sanctity of international law, without which international relations would deteriorate into anarchy. The United States needs to demonstrate its leadership position by abiding by the laws other nations are expected to respect. The last five years have demonstrated instead that American political leaders feel they are above the law, and have the prerogative of abrogating international laws and agreements at their whim. The United States will pay a price for such cavalier attitudes toward international law and human rights. I hope the political leaders are the ones who pay that price and not the citizens of America. Although, in all honesty, if American citizens will not hold political leaders accountable for their misdeeds, then the American people are just as guilty.