Dearest TCHblog faithful,
Although I am apologetic for the neglect over the past few weeks, a personal update will have to wait. Instead, a short and hopefully thought-provoking post for the current situation the US finds itself in. Despite the information distributed via Fix News and the not-so-accurate-talking heads of Cheney, Gingrich, Fleischer, Hannity, and the rest, I have one question: even if torture (if you consider waterboarding torture as the US did when the Khmer Rogue used it against countless Cambodians) produced "useful" information, is it worth it?
Am I the lone liberal who feels that it would be nice if the O admin could get the general approach to this situation better coordinated? Between the Pres, his Chief of Staff and "full court Press" Sec, Americans, at least on the Left, expect more than retreating from "torture" to "enhanced interrogation techniques." If someone could find the signs that ring: "America, the greatest nation in the world" I've got some non-torture water and we'll all HOPE they were designed with waterproof ink.
Where is the transparency in all this, Pres Oby? Please don't make me agree with Cheney ever again...let's see all the memos. I have little doubt that they will only demonstrate further what the past administration authorized was in fact torture and that no matter political affiliation, those involved should be prosecuted. Please pay no attention to the "publishing these memos only lets our enemies know our interrogation tactics" crowd. Unless I missed it, you put a stop to those tactics, right? Now, for Dick. It looks to this ole' boy that former VP-man is betting on the O admin not releasing the memos; thus, he can, as he always has, claim whatever he wants (namely, that he and Bushy defended America better than anyone else ever has and ever will) buttressed by his "Oh, I've seen it, I was there, believe me, believe me" mantra. Finally, why would Americans (people who say they believe in the rule of law) want AG Holder to hold-off on appointing an IC to prosecute ALL those involved in this mess?
Finally, can we agree that those directly involved in writing Bushy's legal memos to legalize illegal "tactics" should not be federal judges?
For weeks, Rachel Maddow's coverage of all of this has been excellent.
TCH
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2 comments:
The intriguing element to this whole process to me is that this really seems to be an "us" vs. "them" phenomenon. A number of people seem to be insinuating that torture is acceptable as long as we're torturing "them" to protect "us." Once again, I am befuddled at the ignorance of the populous. People keep asking where we draw the line with regard to torture, when they really should be asking why there is a line. What happened to torture being morally wrong - a principle that seemed to be foundational to our government? If we stuck to our principles, there wouldn't be a need for any of this. We wouldn't torture, ergo, no disagreement regarding declassification of documents. What a novel concept!
On an aside, did you catch the interesting Supreme Court decision this week regarding warrantless searches of motor vehicles. Who would have guessed a 5-4 decision would ever be configured in such fashion?
Well, glad to know I'm not the lone liberal left thinking this whole situation is as ridiculous as they come. Your suggestion on the "us" versus "them" is right on. Yet, why is it that no one seems to be pressing the matter: we should not be using "enhanced torture techniques" on ANY person for ANY information, no matter how useful Dick says it was/is.
A one-time constitutional history professor and now good friend of mine had the uncanny ability to make most of the arguments expressed in that recent 5-4 decision all in one presentation. It was quite entertaining. Good memories.
TCH
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