Call It What It Is -- Bush Wants to Torture People

[ProSense]

Cenk Uygur
09.15.2006

Call It What It Is -- Bush Wants to Torture People

It's so annoying to read mainstream press articles where they dance around what the real issue is on "terror suspect interrogations." They use every euphemism in the book. Bush seeks "clarity" on interrogations. Bush wants "wider leeway" in interrogations. Bush wants "tougher interrogations."

Tougher interrogations, my ass. Bush wants to torture people.

Every single person writing those stories knows what this is really about. They are so queasy about writing the word down on paper, but they're perfectly willing to have a legitimate debate on whether we should actually do it. That makes no sense. I wish the late Sam Kinison was around now to shout at the reporters, "Say it!!! Just say it!!!!" It's torture.

Tougher interrogations that violate the Geneva Conventions? Come on! I want one reporter to tell me what that is if it isn't torture. You wonder why the American people continue to be misinformed when the media goes out of its way to protect this administration. Tell the American people what this administration actually wants to do. Then if the population buys into, that's fine. Of course, I would be revolted if the American people backed torture, but at least we would have the "clarity" Bush claims he wants.

more...

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/cenk-uygur/call-it-what-it-is-bus_b_29523.html

[ProSense]

1. U.S. Bishops Urge Congress to Meet 'Highest Ethical Standards'

U.S. Bishops Urge Congress to Meet 'Highest Ethical Standards' for Treatment of Prisoners

29 minutes ago

To: National Desk

Contact: John Gehring of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, 202-541-3202 or 410-302-3792 (home)

WASHINGTON, Sept. 15 /U.S. Newswire/ -- Bishop Thomas Wenski, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' international policy committee, has urged U.S senators considering legislation on the creation of military commissions and amendments to the War Crimes Act to uphold international standards for ethical treatment of prisoners.

"A respect for the dignity of every person, ally or enemy, must serve as the foundation of security, justice and peace," Bishop Wenski wrote today in a letter to senators. "There can be no compromise on the moral imperative to protect the basic human rights of any individual incarcerated for any reason."

In his letter, Bishop Wenski notes that the United States has long supported Common Article 3 of the Geneva Conventions, which prohibits "cruel treatment and torture" as well as "outrages upon personal dignity, in particular humiliating and degrading treatment."

"Our own troops and citizens benefit from the protection of this standard," Bishop Wenski said. "As events continue to unfold in Afghanistan, Iraq and elsewhere, we recognize that combating terrorism remains a top priority for Congress and the Administration. We also recognize, however, that any report of prisoner mistreatment by members of the armed forces of the United States or its allies could seriously undermine U.S efforts to defeat terrorism."

The complete letter from Bishop Wenski follows.

Dear Senator:

As Chairman of the Committee on International Policy of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, I write regarding proposed legislation to create military commissions and to amend the War Crimes Act. I urge you to make sure that the United States continues to insist upon the highest ethical standards and fully complies with U.S. commitments to observe international law in its treatment of detainees whether here in the United States or abroad.

more...

http://news.yahoo.com/s/usnw/20060915/pl_usnw/u_s__bishops_urge_congress_to_meet__highest_ethical_standards__for_treatment_of_prisoners317_xml

[thereismore]

2. That's what I heard from the press conference today...

The program (torture) will not go forward unless you let me do it. Booo-hooo.

[katinmn]

3. I think he's very, very worried. He's a war criminal!

I hope he has nightmares about Nuremberg.

WASHINGTON - President Bush fought back Friday against a Republican revolt in the Senate over tough anti-terror legislation and rejected warnings that the United States had lost the high moral ground to adversaries. "It's flawed logic," he snapped. Bush urged lawmakers to quickly approve legislation authorizing military tribunals and harsh interrogations of terror suspects in order to shield U.S. personnel from being prosecuted for war crimes under the Geneva Conventions, which set international standards for the treatment of prisoners of war.

http://news.yahoo.com/fc/US/Bush_Administration

[savemefromdumbya]

4. He doesn't really know what is going on

Bush is just a puppet. He says what they put infront of him.