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Now is the Time to Hold President Bush Accountable for Torture
Posted: Nov 16, 2010
ou might've heard that former President George W. Bush has a memoir out. And you might've heard that he vigorously defended his authorization to waterboard Abu Zubaydah and Khalid Sheikh Mohammed. President Bush wrote, in Decision Points, that he "approved the use of the [enhanced] interrogation techniques," including waterboarding, on Abu Zubaydah, and that he responded to a request to waterboard Khalid Sheik Mohammed by stating: "Damn right."
Does it get any clearer than that? Our former president ordered torture.
The federal Anti-Torture Statute states:
"torture" means an act committed by a person acting under the color of law specifically intended to inflict severe physical or mental pain or suffering (other than pain or suffering incidental to lawful sanctions) upon another person within his custody or physical control;
Sounds to us like President Bush broke the law. So last Thursday, the ACLU sent a letter to Attorney General Eric Holder urging him to ask Assistant U.S. Attorney John Durham to investigate whether Bush violated the Anti-Torture Statute. From our letter:
The ACLU acknowledges the significance of this request, but it bears emphasis that the former President's acknowledgement that he authorized torture is absolutely without parallel in American history. The admission cannot be ignored. In our system, no one is above the law or beyond its reach, not even a former president. That founding principle of our democracy would mean little if it were ignored with respect to those in whom the public most invests its trust.
If this country is committed to the rule of law, our leaders cannot ignore this very clear, plain evidence that our former president authorized torture.
;
It is pretty sad - we were brought up to think
[ In Reply To ..]There are so many people ranting about how holy the Constitution is, about saying the Pledge of Allegiance, and public prayer, but then there seems to be no outrage amongst the conservatives in regards to the honor of this nation.
You have to wear a flag pin - I guess - nm
[ In Reply To ..]
Hmmm.... - tstone
[ In Reply To ..]I have no problem with waterboarding someone who helped to murder 3000 innocents on 9/11. In fact, I'd rather behead them than torture them. They're taking up space in this world. If we can save American lives by waterboarding one of these terrorists, isn't it worth it?
Using that logic... - sm
[ In Reply To ..]You apparently have no problem with American soldiers being tortured and/or killed in Iraq and Afghanistan? After all, we have killed thousands of innocent people in those countries. Sounds like pretzel logic to me!
Oh, c'mon. What about all our soldiers, journalists, - Backwards Typist
[ In Reply To ..]and innocent victim killed, beheaded, tortured by the Taliban or AQ? That's okay with you?
Hah! - tstone
[ In Reply To ..]So....you think they're not being tortured and/or killed there anyway? These terrorists are some of the most barbaric people you'll ever meet so I doubt that avoiding torturing the terrorists would result in them having mercy on our soldiers. Remember Daniel Pearl? Beheaded on video for all to see. That is the type of people we are dealing with. Get your head out of the sand. No amount of mercy for these terrorists will result in humane treatment of civilians or soldiers in Iraq or Afghanistan. They don't value life....they have no fear of dying.
Let's finish the sentence please - Backwards Typist
[ In Reply To ..]Waterboarding was suggested to President Bush and he asked the legal counsel before waterboarding was used if it was illegal and they could find no law against it.
"At my direction, Department of Justice and CIA lawyers conducted a careful legal review. The enhanced interrogation program complied with the Constitution and all applicable laws, including those that ban torture:
"There were two that I felt went too far, even if they were legal. I directed the CIA not to use them. Another technique was waterboarding, a process of simulated drowning. No doubt the procedure was tough, but medical experts assured the CIA that it did no lasting harm."
Bush writes that he has no regrets. "We only used the technique on three people," he says. "We gained valuable information to protect the country, and it was the right thing to do, as far as I'm concerned."
AG Holder FAILED to prove waterboarding was torture (see link)
http://jimblazsik.com/2010/11/09/decision-points-bush-okd-waterboarding-but-is-it-torture-well-no/
I had always thought the US was - better than that.
[ In Reply To ..]We were supposed to be the great example to the world.
Well I say torture away if it gets the job done... - Cheryl B.
[ In Reply To ..]Sorry if that makes me a horrible person, but I am picturing myself and my family and if a little torture could save them.... go ahead.
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