Of all the mistakes, missteps, and outright wrong decisions the Bush administration has made, the one thing that has made me angriest--and most worried for our nation--is the decision to torture enemies (well, in addition to suspending individual rights of privacy and of habeas corpus). That decision not only goes against the Geneva Conventions; it also goes against everything I was taught as a young Christian growing up in the Southern Baptist church, against the advice of military leaders who worry what might happen to our soldiers when captured, and against the advice of many experienced interrogators. I've posted on this topic a number of times because I think it's very important. (Hearing friends, family, and right-wing pundits who are fundamentalist Christians justify torture has just about turned me agnostic.)
On his blog, Scott Horton has an interview with one of those experienced interrogators, Matthew Alexander, about whom I've posted before. Check out the interview:“The American Public has a Right to Know That They Do Not Have to Choose Between Torture and Terror”: Six questions for Matthew Alexander, author of How to Break a Terrorist," posted December 18, 2008.
Other voices:
William Pfaff, "Torture Opponents Have No Serious Argument,"posted at Truthdig, December 18, 2008.
1 comment:
I watched MICHAEL COLLINS recently, and was reminded that very similar conditions (suspension of rights for 7 days without being formally charged for a "crime"; torture) existed for the Irish under British subjugation. If you haven't seen it, please do. Another movie that illustrates this dismal aspect of humans is a more recent one, the remake of THE DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL, which did a fine job of updating the classic to the current conditions. It also doubly reminds us of how difficult it is for humans to change.
Chris
Post a Comment