I guess this is kinda old news now, but what's going on here?

http://glenngreenwald.blogspot.com/2006 ... 24274.html

Well, for now nothin' much said with law makers getting ready to head home. But I bet when it comes time (years maybe) for trial and sentencing of all the detainees the issue will regain forefront.

So far, the main concerns have been how the world will percive us if we 're-interprete' elements of the Geneva conventions, precisley torture rules and the potential repercusions in terms of captured American troops in other countries.

Ofcourse there are other legal and ethical implications over the battle about the detainees. Some make the argument that the Bill will essentially make anything we've already done retroactively legal. I guess nothing wrong with covering our a**.

And we'll be the first to cry "Foul!" when our soldiers are tortured.
It's a bad fucking idea.

it's disgusting. I wrote the nastiest letters about it to my local reps. "Specter" already sent me some sort of personalized response.

Remember when Rumsfield went ape just because the Iraqi's interviewed captured US troops on television?

Oh, there's nothing that big about all this.

It's just that the people in power right now think that because they're in power they can do pretty much whatever the fuck they want. And now they just wanna make it legal.

That's all.

Is "American Idol" back on yet?

Scary tbhing is, I'm betting a pole of Americans would come back with a majority not having a problem with the whole torture thing. We live in a place where the ends justify the means in most people's minds...disregarding for a second whether torutring would really do much or any good anyway.

When history of this period is written in the next 100 years, the Bush administration's approach to international law and the Constitution will be a bigger story than the mis-guided failure of the Iraq war. His position is that the executive may ignore law when it (he) deems it in the best interest of the nation.

That was the rational analysis. Now for the leftist rant: I believe that he believes he answers to a higher law... scripture and prophecy... This is a difference between the American Taliban and previous conservatives and some neo-cons... in the old days they used to worship the Constitution.

And there's been study after study that makes the case that torture DOESN'T do anything - except produce bad info.

I'm really fucking sick of the "non-thinking" attitude in this country.

I think Bush legitimately is trying to do what he thinks is best for his country, but i criticize those who stand idly by and watch him do it.

[Godwin's Law] Then again, Hitler thought he was doing what was best for his Fatherland...[/Godwin's Law]

Hitler wanted control, first and foremost. The "what's best for Germany" stuff was largely a shiny cover for those endeavors. Jews control the banks and lots of other prominent businesses (because they are industrious and work their asses off)... and lots of people feared / hated them. Win-win for hitler.

If you mean the mobilization and industrialization efforts (building their highways, cranking up public works and military spending) then yeah, that got inflation under control and gave people a better national identity.

Rep. Deadman has yet to respond to my idle threats.

...ever the coward.

that pussy.

But seriously, I'm willing to bet that Santorum writes me back within a week. For as much beef as i got with that dude, he's quick to respond to every letter I've written him. I think this has been the first time that Specter even got back to me at all.

I think this is spot on, unless this Iraq thing miraculously works out and then nobody will pay attention to it. But that doesn't look like it's gonna happen. It's pretty stupid thing to do and we really can't afford more bad PR internationally.

What is the root of this belief for you? Where do you get that those are the impetus behind his actions?

Waterboarding rules!!!!!

Hasn't he blatantly said so? I whole-heartedly apologize if not - I have no issue to plug. But I was definately under the impression that he made no illusion of the fact that he seeks "higher guidance." Got elected doing it, too.

Perhaps Harry's digging up examples. Again, sorry if I'm mistaken.

Every single president, including Clinton, references god and prayer. I am not the most attached to news shows and presidential addresses so I can't say with any confidence that he never has, but I have never heard him say anything other than referencing god and prayer. I never hear him talk about jesus and I have certainly never heard him talk about being guided by prohpecy. Again, it's not like I have heard every speech he's ever made. I think there may have been some "questionable" moments back around 9/11 in terms of what he was saying in a religious context, but in the last 3 or 4 years I can't recall a time where he talked about prophecy and scripture.

God and prayer, yes. But that is not unique to him or any other president of this country.

I hear ya Hegel, but i think he has indeed crossed that line. Again, hopefully Harry's finding some quotes. I'm 90% sure he's crossed into your "other" territory up there in some way shape or form.

I'd look but I have to go home and walk the dogs.

alright. cool. I had never seen that before. Are there other times too?

Frequently he, and those around him, talk of answering to a higher law. I'll find more if you need documentation.. remember when he was asked if he had talked to father Bush before invading Iraq, he famously responded "no, there is a higher Father I answer to..."

Here is more...

http://www.unknownnews.net/apocalypsenow.html

This legislation is disgusting. Flat out wrong, period, and our legislators should be ashamed for passing this bill, especially when the jury seems to be out as to what exactly is in it. I'm glad all representatives of Maryland voted against this bill, including Republicans Roscoe Bartlett (a Peak Oil Activist) & Wayne Gilchrest (a Vietnam Veteran).

A friend of mine wrote a letter to the Baltimore Sun, which they published. Though he and I tend to reside on opposite sides of the political fence, I agree with him completely:

Reverence for life makes us different
In his attempt to whitewash his administration's shameful record of blatant Geneva Conventions violations through proposed legislation, President Bush seems to miss a very fundamental truth ("Bill could thwart detainee abuse trials," Sept. 17).

In proposing that America should permit evidence gained through coercion to be used to convict terror suspects and deny accused individuals the right to see the evidence that may be used to convict them, the Bush administration blurs the line that is supposed to divide our just and good country from rogue states that have no regard for human rights.

As Americans, we do not do what is right because it is convenient; we do what is right because it is our moral obligation. We must also do what is right and obey the Geneva guidelines in order to protect our troops, who could be subject to reciprocal abuses at the hands of their captors if we don't respect the rules.

Although he claims his favorite philosopher is Jesus, the president seems to have forgotten the Golden Rule: "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you."

Our respect for life should be what separates us from our enemies.