Posted on 11/03/2005 6:14:35 AM PST by areafiftyone
You have a powerful rant going on, Bob, and I wouldn't want to throw water on it.
For the most part I agree with you. We cannot afford to treat our sworn enemies as party guests.
But we also cannot treat them as animals, or enemy combatants if they are only detainees, (persons of interest in an investigation. Theoretically, they could just be witnesses or bystanders when something goes down.)
I agree that we have shackled ourselves needlessly, and foolishly, if these rules are already in effect. But I still maintain that we need to take the high road in our treatment of prisoners. All prisoners.
Right up to the day they are to be hanged, or shot.
But “degrading treatment” is a phrase lifted from a document drafted by the United Nations.
Henceforth international terrorists throughout the world have all the rights of accused criminals in the United States. And an additional right – freedom from “degrading treatment” – which comes from the U.N., an organization also known as Hate America International.
We can’t tolerate this surrender to Kofi Annan’s gang, a cowardly act designed to undercut the self-preservation of Americans under international attack.
We don’t torture prisoners. We don’t blindfold them, threaten them with execution, and televise their pathetic pleas for life.
We don’t condone cruel and unusual punishments. We don’t lop off prisoners’ heads in front of TV cameras or on the world wide web.
With few exceptions, we treat prisoners as humanely as any enemy has ever treated its enemies. Ask the handful of U.S. troops who survived captivity how the terrorists treated them.
Abu-Gharib was the exception -- not the rule -- and mere child's play in comparison to how these terrorists, murderers and thugs treat our people -- or even their own people for that matter.
The only atrocities going on at Guantanamo Bay are the atrocities that these murderers and thugs who are being detained are heaping upon the fine U.S. soldiers assigned to guard them.
We give these terrorists their own Korans, prayer rugs, clean living conditions, indoor plumbing and three square meals a day... many of them NEVER had it so good.
Of course that has not stopped anti-America members of our own media from literally beating up on our brave men and women in uniform -- looking for isolated examples of "abuse" -- and -- in many cases -- simply making them up.
These facts did not stop the liberal Senator from Illinois -- Dick Durbin -- from falsely comparing our brave men and women in uniform to NAZIs.
However... perhaps you now see why our GOP-lead Senate voted for this ghastly amendment?
Simply put, they did not want to be skewered by members of the anti-American press who would have -- without a doubt -- FALSELY reported opposition to this dastardly amendment as support of torture.
And that -- dear FRiends -- is cowardice, pure and simple!
While our troops risk their lives on the battlefield half-way around the world -- these spineless Senators would not even risk a little bad-mouthing from a biased media!
It's so sick... it's disgusting!
McCain’s amendment is a nasty, politically motivated slur on the integrity of our armed forces, and a gross insult to the American people.
What the Senate did two weeks ago must be undone.
Now I'm finished..
The difference between scared 18 to 25 year old conscripts, and the motivated, dedicated elements of the islamo-extremists should be obvious.
Great stuff and links.
What the Senate did two weeks ago must be undone.
How?
What the Senate did two weeks ago must be undone.
When we have a riot here like France will Congress notice?
I received the same email from TownHall.com. It's legit.
I also agree with you.
From How to Interrogate Terrorists:
...The Geneva conventions embody the idea that even in as brutal an activity as war, civilized nations could obey humanitarian rules: no attacking civilians and no retaliation against enemy soldiers once they fall into your hands. Destruction would be limited as much as possible to professional soldiers on the battlefield. That rule required, unconditionally, that soldiers distinguish themselves from civilians by wearing uniforms and carrying arms openly.Take the time to read the whole article.Obedience to Geneva rules rests on another bedrock moral principle: reciprocity. Nations will treat an enemy’s soldiers humanely because they want and expect their adversaries to do the same. Terrorists flout every civilized norm animating the conventions. Their whole purpose is to kill noncombatants, to blend into civilian populations, and to conceal their weapons. They pay no heed whatever to the golden rule; anyone who falls into their hands will most certainly not enjoy commissary privileges and wages, per the Geneva mandates. He—or she—may even lose his head...
This is not a popularity contest. To me, cost-benefit analysis says pussy-footing around with terrorists will do nothing but cause the death of more innocents. So the question is, is it more humane to provide human debris all the protections of the U.S. Constitution when it will more assuredly mean the deaths of innocents? Seems silly when you're in a shooting war and the detainees were lucky to have not caught a bullet in the head on the battlefield.
Dang! I hate it when I miss Rush.
Ask any soldier how many NEW Russian and French weapons we found over there...
Never thought of that question!
Yes, it's true. The "terrorist amendment" passed a month ago, 90-9.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/1497443/posts?q=1&&page=101
The "nays":
Allard (R-CO)
Bond (R-MO)
Coburn (R-OK)
Cochran (R-MS)
Cornyn (R-TX)
Inhofe (R-OK)
Roberts (R-KS)
Sessions (R-AL)
Stevens (R-AK)
John Corzine, whose state bore the brunt of the 9/11 casualties, did not vote. What a guy.
The press accuses the Bush Administration of its own behavior, because it is so familiar; they believe no other explanation can be possible. It's what they would do; therefore, everyone must be like them. I think Freud called it "projection."
Now being joined by the majority of the other major party!
The "nays":
Allard (R-CO)
Bond (R-MO)
Coburn (R-OK)
Cochran (R-MS)
Cornyn (R-TX)
Inhofe (R-OK)
Roberts (R-KS)
Sessions (R-AL)
Stevens (R-AK)
Has this "amendment" passed through the House yet. I remember reading a month ago when the SINate approved it, that it could be quashed in the House.
I DO NOT ENDORSE TORTURE FOR FUN..like Hussein, PolPot, Hitler, Stalin, Castro and countless other dictators..
I also DO NOT SUPPORT giving Constitutional protections to people who have sworn to eliminate us..
I support the right of people, no matter where, no matter who, to be free to determine their own destiny, and to make their own choices..
In short, I support American beliefs and values..and as long as those we are offering to help are willing to accept the responsibilities that accompany those fredoms, I will stand with them..but
I WILL NOT EVER STAND WITH ANYONE WHO IS WILLING TO GIVE TERRORISTS THE BENEFITS OF OUR SYSTEM;
I DON'T CARE WHO YOU ARE OR WHERE YOU LIVE
Ask any soldier how many NEW Russian and French weapons we found over there...Me neither. But after several soldiers and marines told me "anonymously" I began to ask it off the record.Never thought of that question!
Okay, I asked several tonight.
Answer: Humpf-LOTS! However, 2 soldiers added that Russia sells weapons to lots of countries in the Mideast. While some may have purchased by the previous "government" of Iraq, some may have been brought in from "certain" other countries.
I agree that we should not extend ANY of our rights to terrorists. I also believe that they do not fall under the Geneva Convention's protections. I believe that we should use any means necessary to obtain any information that may save just one American, Iraqi, or whatever nationality's life. These barbarians would afford no such courtesy to ANYONE in their captivity, including fellow Muslims as eveidenced by the statements made by Zarqawi et al. I also believe that some degree of responsibility lies within the Muslim community to stand up and denounce these bastards as some are now doing, including al Sistani. These foes understand one thing -- violence and we should be happy to oblige. I also believe that we should start the trials/investigations right now of John Kerry, for outing a REAL covert operative during the John Bolton hearings and whomever decided to leak the information regarding the CIA prisons. These acts can easily be considered borderline offences of the acts of treason and/or sedition. Another reason the terrorists believe that they can win is because a) the Clinton administrations policy led them to believe such and b)because they know how highly most of America values morality and human life. They believe that they can win -- however, they are DEAD wrong. I have vented and yes, I do feel better.
Depends upon which part of the US knows this. It seems that the CIA is having some "trouble" here recently and I really don't know how to digest it all. I firmly believe that Porter Goss is trying like hell to clean house and maybe these idiots have given him a good place to start. Although, you don't hear much about Porter here recently which could be a good or a bad thing. Hope he has help over there as I am sure there are many of those who need to go that are pretty well entrenched. Didn't we also have satellite confirmation of this convoy moving into Syria? I thought that was how they knew that it was a Russian-led contingent. Hopefully, as the Syria investigation plays out, our SF guys will start taking out some "selected" targets within the Syrian borders, if they haven't already. I don't believe that Ass-ad has as much support as he thinks he does. I haven't heard shit out the Arab League about the summit that he has requested. I think they are going to do what they always do, let their brethren hang out to dry on this one.
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