Torture...We're Just Like Them
Here's what I don't understand: If Vice President Cheney's assertion that the United States does not use torture is true, then why is he pushing to exempt CIA agents from legislation that would ban the "cruel, inhuman or degrading" treatment of prisoners? Read the AP story here.
To me, his actions undercut his credibility. How can we believe his statement that "the United States doesn't engage in torture," when he clearly wants CIA agents to have the option to torture prisoners? It makes no sense at all. Aren't we trying to fight terrorism? If we engage in torture, won't that simply incite terrorists to further acts of terrorism? It seems as if we are no better than they are.
And don't even get me started on the Las Vegas mayor who wants to cut off the thumbs of graffiti artists. It seems that we're becoming more like Iraq, with limited freedoms and excessively harsh, cruel punishments for criminals. I thought the plan was to have them become more like us...you know, a democratic, humane society with equal rights for all and an opposition to cruel and unusual punishment. How can we espouse democracy there when it seems to be a sham in our own country? Essentially, Mayor Oscar Goodman seems to think we should just disregard the Eight Amendment.
The Bill of Rights is slowly being shredded, and very few seem to notice or care.
To me, his actions undercut his credibility. How can we believe his statement that "the United States doesn't engage in torture," when he clearly wants CIA agents to have the option to torture prisoners? It makes no sense at all. Aren't we trying to fight terrorism? If we engage in torture, won't that simply incite terrorists to further acts of terrorism? It seems as if we are no better than they are.
And don't even get me started on the Las Vegas mayor who wants to cut off the thumbs of graffiti artists. It seems that we're becoming more like Iraq, with limited freedoms and excessively harsh, cruel punishments for criminals. I thought the plan was to have them become more like us...you know, a democratic, humane society with equal rights for all and an opposition to cruel and unusual punishment. How can we espouse democracy there when it seems to be a sham in our own country? Essentially, Mayor Oscar Goodman seems to think we should just disregard the Eight Amendment.
The Bill of Rights is slowly being shredded, and very few seem to notice or care.
posted by Astera @ 5:07 PM
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