Here's a copy of the email I sent to my members of Congress regarding this sham "torture compromise" that will be voted on in Congress shortly. I hope this inspires you to call on your members of Congress to reject this "compormise" of our basic American values. Oh, and use this to look up your representatives in Washington:
https://secure.aclu.org/site/Advocacy?alertId=508&pg=makeACall&JServSessionIdr006=3ot54jssm2.app20a
I am extremely concerned about the proposed "torture compromise" that was made last week. Apparently, Sens. McCain, Graham, and Warner now have no problem rendering Common Article 3 of the Geneva Conventions unenforceable. Apparently, they no longer have a problem allowing the White House to decide for itself whether or not it "wants to" abide by the Geneva Conventions. Apparently, "a little bit of torture" isn't so bad to them now.
How dare anyone propose "compromising" our core principle of human rights! How dare we even consider rewriting our laws on torture when we have condemned numerous other nations for violating these same principles. This nation has always stood for the principle of "liberty and justice for all" for many years now. We may not be perfect, but at least we've tried. Now all of this may be lost. This may be a dangerously slippery slope. If we allow "compromise" on this, then which basic American value will be next?
Please, I urge you to reject this watered-down "compromise" on torture. We were all disgusted by Abu Ghraib. We've been disheartened by Guantanamo. We've been embarrassed by "extraordinary renditions". Now the White House has claimed that these actions "make us safer". This could not be farther from the truth! If anything, these actions inflict serious scars on our reputation among the global community. These actions do not protect us from terror, but rather encourage acts of terror. If we do not treat our detainees humanely, then what will stop our enemies from abusing our troops? Let's not allow this White House to trample upon the Constitution, and endanger our troops and citizens, any longer.
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1 comment:
Great post...this really isn't a "compromise" as much as it is condoning torture.
I heard Patrick Leahy on the floor of the Senate this afternoon mention a new letter by more than 500 law school professors, coming out against this bill. Here's hoping that the Senate gets a backbone.
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