Sunday, December 14, 2008

The Torture Presidency


Published on Sunday, December 14, 2008 by Harper's
by Scott Horton

The Levin-McCain Report, when fully declassified and circulated, will tell Americans a good deal about our history. It will help define what will become known as the "torture presidency" of George W. Bush. But it is also a remarkably incomplete document, testimony to the Bush Administration's conscious policy of obfuscation, misdirection and deceit-its mockery of Congressional oversight, and its corruption of our Constitution and system of government. It gives us a clear lesson. As John McCain stated: "This must never be repeated. Never."


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For more on Cheney just admitting to his connection to torture policies, please go here for one of many resources on the subject: Cheney Admits Central Role In Torture For First Time. It is very noteworthy that Cheney now openly discloses his role and advocacy for things such as waterboarding - which is a technique that our government deemed such a horrific crime following World War II that those found guilty of it were put to death. (I am, of course, absolutely and without exception against the death penalty, torture, and all inhumane practices.) In the very least, Cheney, Bush, Rumsfeld, John Yoo, Ashcroft and all those whose actions resulted in the violation of the law and principles of our nation - and most nations - absolutely need to be indicted and brought to justice. Peace ~ Molly

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"Those who cannot learn from history are doomed to repeat it." ~ George Santayana

"History, despite its wrenching pain, cannot be unlived,
but if faced with courage, need not be lived again." ~ Maya Angelou

"The first principal of nonviolent action is that of
noncooperation with everything humiliating." ~ Cesar Chavez

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