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Not That it Will Make Any Difference. . .
. . . I sent this to president@whitehouse.gov
Mr. President:
I sincerely hope that the AP article published this morning is in error.
I am sincerely hoping it is not true that: "Evidence gained by torture can be used by the U.S. military in deciding whether to imprison a foreigner indefinitely at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, as an enemy combatant, the government concedes. "
If it is true, I expect that you, an avowed Christian and the leader of a nation that should stand for the protection of basic human rights everywhere in the world, as well as "liberty and justice for all" will take strong measures to stop any torture being done by the US military -- at Guantanamo or anywhere else.
Like a lot of people, I've heard rumours over the years that our military has always engaged in torture, quietly, in secret. I don't know what appalls me more: that we do it at all, or that we have evidently fallen so low in our moral sensibilities that now there doesn't seem to be any qualms about admitting it publically, as if we are justified.
Mr. President, this is not justified. This is evil. Torturing people is wrong. You would be the first to object if anyone else were doing it, for any reason.
9-11-2001 does not make us exempt from the basic rules of human decency, much less the treaties and agreements we as a nation have committed to over the years to uphold human rights and justice.
This morning's report is a disgrace to the United States, and yet another black mark against our honor as a nation.
I hope you will use your authority to stop these abuses and uphold the principles of our nation. I don't care what any judge says. Detaining people without charges and without due process, and using torture to gain evidence violates the basic principles of our Constitution. And saying otherwise continues to erode whatever moral high ground we as a nation once possessed.
[Name, Address, Phone Number]
Mr. President:
I sincerely hope that the AP article published this morning is in error.
I am sincerely hoping it is not true that: "Evidence gained by torture can be used by the U.S. military in deciding whether to imprison a foreigner indefinitely at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, as an enemy combatant, the government concedes. "
If it is true, I expect that you, an avowed Christian and the leader of a nation that should stand for the protection of basic human rights everywhere in the world, as well as "liberty and justice for all" will take strong measures to stop any torture being done by the US military -- at Guantanamo or anywhere else.
Like a lot of people, I've heard rumours over the years that our military has always engaged in torture, quietly, in secret. I don't know what appalls me more: that we do it at all, or that we have evidently fallen so low in our moral sensibilities that now there doesn't seem to be any qualms about admitting it publically, as if we are justified.
Mr. President, this is not justified. This is evil. Torturing people is wrong. You would be the first to object if anyone else were doing it, for any reason.
9-11-2001 does not make us exempt from the basic rules of human decency, much less the treaties and agreements we as a nation have committed to over the years to uphold human rights and justice.
This morning's report is a disgrace to the United States, and yet another black mark against our honor as a nation.
I hope you will use your authority to stop these abuses and uphold the principles of our nation. I don't care what any judge says. Detaining people without charges and without due process, and using torture to gain evidence violates the basic principles of our Constitution. And saying otherwise continues to erode whatever moral high ground we as a nation once possessed.
[Name, Address, Phone Number]
Unfortunatly.......
What some might consider torture, others might consider an expeditious method of motivating an unwilling subject to provide life-saving information.
Is sleep deprivation torture? What about keeping someone in darkness for long periods of time?
Are these different from bamboo splinters and hot pokers?
And is what is being gained worth the pain suffered by one individual?
If "torture" saved lives, is it justified?
As I am the first to admit, it's easy to argue philosophy when one is not neck deep in the real situation.
But I also have the benefit of a sibling who has now served two tours in Iraq. It certainly adds perspective.
I wish torture was never defensible. But I also find it hard to argue with it's very pragmatic application in certain situations.
BTW, I enjoy reading your LJ. You're one of more thoughtful individuals I come across in here.
=D
Re: Unfortunatly.......
Re: Unfortunatly.......