How can anyone believe that it is somehow acceptable to torture in the name of our country? How can anyone think that we, as a supposedly civilized society, should do anything but condemn its use by any of our forces or agents?
Still, there is pressure from the White House and from the Vice-President to weaken language (by excluding overseas clandestine forces not under the Pentagon) in the defense bill, now in negotiations to reconcile differences in the Senate and House versions. The Senate version contains language from Sen. John McCain which would ban the use of "cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment" against anyone in U. S. government custody no matter where held.
How can we even pretend to lead the world toward freedom and democracy if we don't set the standard for civilized treatment of prisoners? How can we ignore international bans on such practices? How can we condemn such behaviors in other countries and not take steps to make sure that the abuses of Abu Gharib prison are never repeated by American forces or agents?
I urge everyone to contact their Senators and Representatives and urge them to support Sen. McCain's language and to vote against any weakening of it. In particular, you may wish to contact Sen. Stevens of Alaska and Rep. Young of Florida who are leading the negotiations.
This blog discusses issues of social justice (in an inclusive sense), civil liberties, human rights, other social issues, and offers thoughts on society and humanity in general from a progressive, feminist perspective.
Totally agree. Senator McCain knows what he is talking about from experience. Torture just leads to more torture. It rarely accomplishes anything.
ReplyDeleteThese people who seek to do us harm are evil indeed. Yet we must not stoop to their level, which is what they want us to do. I look to John McCain with respect and admiration and believe in his judgment on this issue, since he was a P.O.W. Every responsible citizen should be calling on their representatives to support Sen. McCain's bill outlawing this type of activity. If America is trying to convey how a civilized society should behave to the rest of the world, how can we possibly maintain a policy that allows or even tacitly supports torture, under any circumstances? If we allow this, then we are encouraging the very behavior we stand against as a nation. This is to say nothing of the Geneva Convention, which strictly prohibits it. You have a great blog, and I enjoyed reading your postings.
ReplyDeleteWow-
ReplyDeleteSomeone actually read my blog?
Thank you both so much for leaving comments. It's been very lonely here...
In fact, I've been thinking of giving this thing up, but maybe after this I should hang in there a bit longer.
Thanks again!
In case anyone hasn't heard - the Senate actually ok'd the McCain language. It's good to have some positive news to report for a change.
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