Posted on 10/20/2005 2:28:57 PM PDT by conserv13
There can be no compromise on the moral imperative protect the basic human rights of eery individual incarcerated for any reason.
(Excerpt) Read more at usccb.org ...
And of course I spelled 'every' wrong. Long day.
I am Catholic and I support doing whatever it take to get terrorists to rat each other out. Including killing them if they won't talk.
It's not a suprise. They don't support capital punishment, abortion, euthanasia, embryonic stemcell research, and other things that follow.
I am a Catholic and I do not agree with this.
From what I have learned, this is not really an "anti-torture" bill. So the title is misleading.
What this is really about is making it so that we cannot use cruel, degrading, or inhuman methods on enemy combatants.
Cruel, degrading, and inhuman methods do NOT constitute torture.
I support the military in their use of cruel, degrading, and inhuman methods on foreign enemy combatants.
but, its still okay to diddle a kid and hide the guilty party responsible. That's even crueller torture than making a terrorist wear a leash and underwear over his head.
Does anyone know if these Bishops ever spoke out specifically about the tortures under Saddam Hussein? I'm not trying to imply anything - I would just like to know.
LOL Then you are not really Catholic.
I'll be impressed when they get around to supporting AQ's anti-beheading bills.
Huh? It seems to me that cruel and inhuman methods would constitute torture. Degrading treatment is okay with me.
I most certainly am. Born, baptised, raised, schooled k-12, and happy member of St. Patrick's Parish. I think the Catholic Church is the greatest institution in history.
The Catholic Bishops also opposed nuclear weapons in the 70s and 80s. They have been wrong before and they likely will be so again.
Dear Senator:
On behalf of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, I urge you to support the McCain-Warner amendments numbers 1556 and 1557 to S. 1042, the FY 2006 Defense Authorization Act. The first amendment, number 1556, would prohibit cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment or punishment of persons under custody or control of the United States government. The second amendment, number 1557, would provide uniform standards for the interrogation of persons under detention of the Department of Defense.
As events unfold in Afghanistan, Iraq and other places, we recognize that combating terrorism remains a top priority for Congress and the Administration. We also recognize, however, that the reported instances of prisoner abuse by members of the U.S. armed services could seriously undermine that effort and compromise human dignity. We believe that a respect for the dignity of every person, ally or enemy, must serve as the foundation of the pursuit of security, justice and peace. There can be no compromise on the moral imperative to protect the basic human rights of any individual incarcerated for any reason.
The United States has a long history of leadership and strong support for human rights around the world. Ratifications of the Convention on Civil and Political Rights and the Convention Against Torture embody our nation’s commitment to establishing standards of conduct and prohibiting torture and other acts of inhumane treatment of persons in U.S. custody. Tragically, our nation’s record has been marred by reported instances of abusive treatment of enemy combatants held in military prisons in Iraq, Afghanistan and Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. The lack of clarity regarding the procedures governing the treatment of prisoners makes it necessary to adopt more specific and stringent guidelines. The McCain-Warner amendments to the Defense Authorization Act would confirm our nation’s resolve to ensure that these serious abuses cease and never recur.
We share the concerns of lawmakers and citizens for the safety of U.S. soldiers and civilians abroad in these times of great uncertainty and danger. In the face of this perilous climate, our nation must not embrace a morality based on an attitude that “desperate times call for desperate measures” or “the end justifies the means.” The inherent justice of our cause and the perceived necessities involved in confronting terrorism must not lead to a weakening or disregard of U.S. and international law.
In a time of terrorism and great fear, our individual and collective obligations to respect basic human dignity and human rights, even of our worst enemies, gains added importance. The guidelines and mechanisms contained in these amendments reflect a conviction that our nation must treat our prisoners as we would expect our enemies to treat our own military personnel. Congress’ adoption of these amendments would represent a significant step in restoring the moral credibility of the United States at a crucial time.
Thank you for your consideration of our views on the just treatment of prisoners and detainees.
Sincerely yours,
Most Reverend John H. Ricard, S.S.J.
Bishop of Pensacola-Tallahassee
Chairman, Committee on International Policy
United States Code Section 2340 defines an act of torture:
(1) ''torture'' means an act committed by a person acting under the color of law specifically intended to inflict severe physical or mental pain or suffering (other than pain or suffering incidental to lawful sanctions) upon another person within his custody or physical control; (2) ''severe mental pain or suffering'' means the prolonged mental harm caused by or resulting from - (A) the intentional infliction or threatened infliction of severe physical pain or suffering; (B) the administration or application, or threatened administration or application, of mind-altering substances or other procedures calculated to disrupt profoundly the senses or the personality; (C) the threat of imminent death; or (D) the threat that another person will imminently be subjected to death, severe physical pain or suffering, or the administration or application of mind-altering substances or other procedures calculated to disrupt profoundly the senses or personality; and (3) ''United States'' includes all areas under the jurisdiction of the United States including any of the places described in sections 5 and 7 of this title and section 46501(2) of title 49.Cruel, inhuman, and degrading treatment does not constitute torture.
I am a Christian and here is what I think; I think that it is a great act of compassion to get information to save innocent lives any way possible. If one must use brutal methods to extract information from a bad guy to save innocent lives, then it is an act of comapssion to protect the innocent. It is in the name of saving lives. Its simple and clear to me, I dont see how it complicated.
I don't want gratuitous torture for sadistic purposes. Just effective, proven methods. Waterboard works, sleep deprivation, bitch-slapping. And if they decide not to sing, then the time honored firing squad.
okay. I agree with you then.
Why not "ring them up" as a method of persuasion?
Ring them up?
The old telephone hand cranked transformer, wire and clips.
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