Does the U.S. Torture?

   The U.S. Senate has added an amendment to a $440 billion military spending bill, an amendment that would ban cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment of any prisoner in American hands. The White House threatened to veto the bill if the anti-torture terms were added, but 90 members - 43 Democrats, 46 Republicans, and one independent - voted to include them, nonetheless. The amendment would require that all American troops and federal agencies follow the interrogation standards outlined in the Army Field Manual on detention and interrogation.
   Senator Lindsey Graham, a supporter of the torture ban says, "If you don't practise what you preach, nobody listens." The government of the States has already drawn more than enough negative attention to itself over its treatment of detainees at Abu Ghraib and Guantanamo. The passing of a bill such as this could help in restoring some of the world's faith in the U.S. If the Bush regime were to accede to the establishment of the independent commission to investigate detainee abuse that the Senate Democrats are pushing for, they would show themselves as willing to be held accountable for their actions. By accepting this bill, Bush would show that his government does not stoop to the practices it condemns in others. Terrorists may hold in contempt all strictures of decency in their treatment of others, but do those who fight them have to do the same?
    When asked on Monday about the treatment of prisoners, Bush said, "We are finding terrorists and bringing them to justice. We are gathering information...We do not torture." As fine a non-answer as you could possibly ask for, but not one that will carry much weight. There have been too many photos circulated, too many accusations made and stories told about the U.S. military for such an answer to ring true. Representative David Obey of Wisconsin says, "...the $21 million in this bill for victims of torture (will be) a joke and a sham." if the bill is not passed with the anti-torture terms intact. The White House, however, has sent the Senate a policy statement that says if the anti-torture portion of the bill is retained, senior advisors would recommend to Bush that he veto the bill. In case the bill is passed by both chambers, Vice President Dick Cheney has been lobbying Republican Senators for an exemption for the CIA.
   Why doesn't Bush simply declare himself God? It would save him so much hassle with those annoying types who actually want him and his regime to display a little humanity.



The following quote was pointed out to me by a reader who feels it connects directly to the above entry. These particular words were uttered by Nazi kingpin Hermann Goering, at the Nuremberg trials, but they really don't seem that far off of the attitude Bush exhibits.

"Of course the people don't want war. But after all, it's the leaders of the country who determine the policy, and it's always a simple matter to drag the people along whether it's a democracy, a fascist dictatorship, or a parliament, or a communist dictatorship. Voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is tell them they are being attacked, and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism, and exposing the country to greater danger."