Taking Responsibility

I'm listening to a segment on Morning Edition contrasting two ways of interrogating terror suspects: one based on torture, carried out by the CIA, and another based on building rapport, carried out by the U.S. military. As you read or listen, pay attention to the use of language.

Matthew Alexander, a leader in the military program, speaks in active voice and even in the first person: "One of my best techniques...."

Michael Hayden, the CIA Director, speaks in passive voice: "The use of these techniques...."

If you can't take personal responsibility for what you do, and do so with dignity, you're probably doing something you shouldn't.