The Problem of American Torture
The Free Press -- Independent News Media - Molly Ivins: "December 2, 2004
AUSTIN -- It is both peculiar and chilling to find oneself discussing the problem of American torture. I have considered support of basic human rights and dignity so much a part of our national identity that this feels as strange as though I'd suddenly become Chinese or found Fidel Castro in the refrigerator.
One's first response to the report by the International Red Cross about torture at our prison at Guantanamo is denial. 'I don't want to think about it; I don't want to hear about it; we're the good guys, they're the bad guys; shut up. And besides, they attacked us first.'
But our country has opposed torture since its founding. One of our founding principles is that cruel and unusual punishment is both illegal and wrong. Every year, our State Department issues a report grading other countries on their support for or violations of human rights.
The first requirement here is that we look at what we are doing -- and not blink, not use euphemisms."
AUSTIN -- It is both peculiar and chilling to find oneself discussing the problem of American torture. I have considered support of basic human rights and dignity so much a part of our national identity that this feels as strange as though I'd suddenly become Chinese or found Fidel Castro in the refrigerator.
One's first response to the report by the International Red Cross about torture at our prison at Guantanamo is denial. 'I don't want to think about it; I don't want to hear about it; we're the good guys, they're the bad guys; shut up. And besides, they attacked us first.'
But our country has opposed torture since its founding. One of our founding principles is that cruel and unusual punishment is both illegal and wrong. Every year, our State Department issues a report grading other countries on their support for or violations of human rights.
The first requirement here is that we look at what we are doing -- and not blink, not use euphemisms."
posted by A. J. Franklin @ 16:32
1 Comments:
At 4:52 PM,
Anonymous said…
Who cares if we torture them? Maybe they would torture us. Who knows...Maybe we should let bush endure it for a while and see if he thinks it's torture?
Phil in Philadelphia
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