This week, I was the featured speaker at the Ecumenical Peace Institute dinner, with the theme: "Where do we go from here?"
Some may recognize this theme as one taken from the title of the last book written by Martin Luther King 41 years ago: "Where do we go from Here: Chaos or Community?"
America's large scale similarities that prompted King to ask the aforementioned question bear some resemblance to what many may be asking today; are we headed for chaos or community?
I focused my remarks around the seemingly unanswerable question as it relates to the United States' occupation of Iraq.
I once again put forth the idea that I have made consistently for the past two years and is also mentioned in my book, "Strip Mall Patriotism," that the president-elect along with Congress hold a Truth and Reconciliation Commission about the events that led to the war and subsequent occupation of Iraq, and if necessary grant immunity to those who testify.
Without an honest assessment of how we got to this current state, we will be unable to hold our political leadership to a standard that is much above the fear-induced, tacit lack of accountability we bequeathed the current administration.
We don't need witch hunts, political grandstanding or revenge; we need the truth. The truth about the past is the only way to rise above the current political cacophony that is leading us further into the abyss of despair.
As the new administration takes office, there are three realities those who desire change in Iraq must consider:
1) It is easier to get into war than it is to exit
2) On January 20, 2009 at 12:01PM, Iraq will be the problem of President Barack Obama.
3) Not since George Washington has a president willingly relinquished power that has been extended by his predecessor.
Based on recent polling, Iraq as an issue ranks no higher than fifth on America's priority list, behind improving the economy, creating jobs, reducing the deficit, and stabilizing the nation's financial institutions. Assuming the accuracy of the polling data, if the occupation of Iraq is placed on the back burner of the American psyche, we could be looking at stay-the-course by default.
Unfortunately, the barometer for Iraq as an issue of importance is invariably tied to events on the ground. Without a Truth and Reconciliation Commission that offers the country a universal truth as to how we got in to this quagmire, subjective analysis will continue to dominate the pubic discourse.
I understand the economy takes priority for most, but Iraq is the $10 billion per month sinkhole that is also consuming our democratic values.
I was asked at the event why a truth commission that seeks immunity and not criminal charges if there were in fact malefactors?
America needs the truth more than incarceration. It also needs to do what is necessary to help future generations avoid replicating these constitutional infractions.
Furthermore, America as a whole needs redemption for this fiasco, not just those who may have committed infractions. In April 2003, ABC/Washington Post poll indicated 70 percent felt Iraq was worth fighting; only 36 percent believe that now -- a number that still appears too high if we are to have an authentic change of direction.
A Truth and Reconciliation Commission can provide President-elect Obama the political cover necessary to make the difficult decision about Iraq, which offers no good alternatives.
And as the president-elect has rightly stated, Pakistan will require more of his attention. It's a nuclear country, with an unstable government that most likely houses the group behind the 9/11 tragedies, who could very well be planning an encore performance.
It is the great nation that can come to terms with its high and low moments; and Iraq definitely qualifies as the latter.
We have already lived out the prophecy of Voltaire, "Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities." Why not hold a Truth and Reconciliation Commission?
It might get us closer to the observation attributed to Winston Churchill that "America will always do the right thing -- after having exhausted all other possibilities."
Byron Williams is an Oakland pastor and syndicated columnist. He is the author of Strip Mall Patriotism: Moral Reflections of the Iraq War. E-mail him at byron@byronspeaks.com or visit his website byronspeaks.com