I suppose I could get with torture if it meant I could torture the GOP base.
If not, then no sale.
Posted by God Of War at September 19, 2006 08:59 AMyou always have to fear those who hide behind the Cloth. This Admin, more than any other in US history has worn it's Christian tilt on it's sleeve....prayermeetings in the WH, radical Born-Again president, radical Rapturites behind each piece of legislation and foreign police adventure. Yet, look closely and you'll see a group of people intent on doing the Devil's will at every turn.
Posted by T2 at September 19, 2006 10:05 AMBush, Cheney, Rumsfeld and Yoo should have a fun reunion in The Hague when they explain all of this to the tribunal.
Assimilated Press
Read White House OK's Use Of Torture In Public Schools
I remember when Sandra Day O'Connor left SCOTUS and had some ripe comments about the direction this country was headed. I supported her comments and mentioned that anything would help. Well, I got ripped for it because she was one of the Supremes who voted the monster in.
Once again, I will support Powell for his remarks. Anything has to help. Yes, he should have done more when he had the chance. At this point, I will take anything to make the people see that bu$h is killing this country.
When it really comes down to it, we can all say we should have done more, a lot more and protested this cabal sooner.
Posted by Seven of Six at September 19, 2006 10:28 AMSteve, I'm afraid you're wrong regarding the number of citizens willing to go along with torture. I can cite no polls but what do you think the response would be if a 1000 random people were queried thusly: "Would you support torturing a suspected terrorist if, A) the information gained prevented an attack in the United States and, B) death or permanent injury did not result from the torture?" My guess is a strong majority would say "yes".
Posted by steve duncan at September 19, 2006 10:31 AMAll Democratic Senators, Colin Powell, and the 8 dissident Republican Senators who oppose the Bush-Cheney White House Torture Bill have defied Bush's order: "IT IS UNACCEPTABLE TO THINK."
THINKING has not yet been codified into US criminal law, but Bush believes his 9/15/06 press conference statement declaring THINKING UNACCEPTABLE has all the power of a Presidential Executive Order, applicable to all Americans.
Coilin Powell, the Senators, and possibly some of their staff, are in great peril.
Watch for them to disappear off the street, one by one. After extended detention in secret foreign CIA prisons most will eventually show up at Guanatanamo. Only then will they receive the protections of the International Red Cross.
Bush is firm in his opposition to THINKING. He has not done it for years.
Posted by CLK at September 19, 2006 10:58 AM
Any mention of Bill Kristol MUST include this quote:
"And on this issue of the Shia in Iraq, I think there's been a certain amount of, frankly, Terry, a kind of pop sociology in America that, you know, somehow the Shia can't get along with the Sunni and the Shia in Iraq just want to establish some kind of Islamic fundamentalist regime. There's almost no evidence of that at all. Iraq's always been very secular."
From NPR's Fresh Air with Terry Gross
Posted by Marcus at September 19, 2006 11:05 AMThe article says almost all Dem Senators opposed to this legislation.
Who is not?
Anyone have a link to anyone who is tracking this?
Posted by Anjha at September 19, 2006 11:23 AMAlso - what is the bill number?
Posted by Anjha at September 19, 2006 11:24 AMfound them...
S. 3886 (H.R. 6054) (S. 2453).--To authorize military commissions
to bring terrorists to justice, to strengthen and modernize
terrorist surveillance capabilities, and for other purposes.
Ordered placed on the calendar Sept. 12, 2006.
S. 3901 (H.R. 6054).--To authorize trial by military commission
for violations of the law of war, and for other purposes.
Reported from Armed Services Sept. 14, 2006; no written
report.
Powell is just experiencing late-life guilt over My Lai.
Posted by Christopher at September 19, 2006 11:54 AMJust caught the first part of Bush's "address" to the U.N. (really, the Mid East) today. It reminded me of the scene in "The Day the Earth Stood Still" when the martian, played by Michael Rennie, addressed the U.N. His message: "We come in peace, do what we want or we'll blow you up." Pretty much sums up the Bush approach to the world. Unfortunately, it ain't no movie.
This is interesting, from Thomas, the House Military Commission Bill, HR 6054 Sec 950x
Sec. 950x. Contempt
`A military commission under this chapter may punish for contempt any person who uses any menacing word, sign, or gesture in its presence, or who disturbs its proceedings by any riot or disorder.'.
If anyone protests these commissions - anyone of us who holds a sign up at one of these commissions - can also be tried under one of these commissions. No habeus rights. No calls to family. Nothing. Disappeared.
The phrase applies to 'any person' - not an 'alien enemy combatant.'
I'm not going to attack you, Seven.
But at the same time, you have to seriously ask hard questions of Powell - the man has consistently covered for people in power higher up. It's great that the man can say he has reservations and doesn't stand by cerain choices his superiors have made, but for fuck's sake Colin, where's your anger over Mai Lai and the Iraq lead-up?
And Steve Duncan has hit it dead on. Our fellow citizens will agree to idiocy if puppies aren't hurt - nevermind the number of puppies are buried in the mass grave behind the interrogation center.
Posted by idiosynchronic at September 19, 2006 12:53 PMI agree with your premise Id.
Right now we do not have a lot of people listening to our Democratic politicians. However, they will listen to what Powell (and O'Connor) have to say. I say use them for what they are worth, a political statement against the current regime. No more.
did anyone notice how fast this was pulled from the website today when 83% of the responders said they disagreed with the meat puppet and his dog dick?
Posted by oldtree at September 19, 2006 06:14 PMRead White House OK's Use Of Torture In Public Schools
Okay. Do you know where I can get some good satire?
fuck's sake Colin, where's your anger over Mai Lai and the Iraq lead-up?
How could he get angry over My Lai? He was the dogsbody placed in charge of covering it up. And Iraq? The blood is on his hands by his own actions. This first act of contrition is not enough. Tell us all, Colin.
Posted by phidipides at September 19, 2006 07:19 PMJust before Jesus Christ was crucified, a poll was conducted of the citizens of Judea...and 33 percent, all earlier incarnations of GOP Republican Christianistas, favored torturing Jesus Christ and then having him executed on the cross...because they were absolutely certain this would lead to the arrival of the Messiah, after which they'd be lifted up into heaven while everyone else would burn in hell for eternity.
Of course, this didn't happen. But today's GOP Republican Christianistas are hell-bent on torturing and executing, once again in hopes that all the torturing and executing and blood being shed will lead to the return of the Messiah.
Nothing every seems to change where conservatives are concerned. Nuts 2,000 years ago, still nuts today.
Posted by The Oracle at September 19, 2006 08:00 PM