Much has been made of late of the leaking of information regarding the use of ``extraordinary renditions''. (the kidnapping of a person and transporting them to another country to be interrogated and face possible charges.) Recently a career CIA officer has been accused of leaking information on rendition practices and fired. The European Union cites over 1000 undeclared flights by the CIA. Our government conceded that 100 to 150 people have been seized in such actions. For me those numbers don't add up and and also do not speak of the number of flights and people not documented in less litigious areas of the world. Why is it that we can do things in other countries that would be illegal here? Why do the laws of other countries become unimportant when it concerns US operations? To be sure, it's without doubt that these efforts have taken some very bad people out of circulation, but at what cost? As the preeminent nation of law, our actions stand in bold contrast to what this nation has historically stood for. Yes nit pickers can cite many violations of law and human rights over the two centuries of our existence, but for all that, we do stand in stark contrast to other nations in the world. So here we are... the most powerful nation in the world, and unlike so many of our predecessors we are in fact admired by many people around the world. How long will this last as we take it upon ourselves to kidnap, torture, hold without charges, start unprovoked wars, and violate native peoples for our own corporate enrichment? Electing a Democratic congress may go along way to help us, but it should only be a start. We need to reevaluate our purpose, and commit ourselves to be better world leaders. Our empire won't last forever, and our place in history is yet to be written.