Posted on 10/05/2005 8:08:18 PM PDT by FairOpinion
The Senate defied the White House yesterday and voted to set new limits on interrogating detainees in Iraq and elsewhere, underscoring Congress's growing concerns about reports of abuse of suspected terrorists and others in military custody.
Forty-six Republicans joined 43 Democrats and one independent in voting to define and limit interrogation techniques that U.S. troops may use against terrorism suspects, the latest sign that alarm over treatment of prisoners in the Middle East and at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, is widespread in both parties. The White House had fought to prevent the restrictions, with Vice President Cheney visiting key Republicans in July and a spokesman yesterday repeating President Bush's threat to veto the larger bill that the language is now attached to -- a $440 billion military spending measure.
But last night, 89 senators sided with Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), a former prisoner of war in Vietnam who led the fight for the interrogation restrictions.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
I have no problem with interrogation. Sleep deprivation, music, lights, etc. Those are all valid interrogation techniques. Rape, attack dogs, breaking bones with baseball bats, and murder are not.
Thats all I am saying is that we need to have a clear line and our troops need to understand what the rules are.
"VALID" interrogation techniques are WHATEVER WORKS. And it's NOT true that interrogators were "breaking bones and murdering" the prisoners, not that it would be a great loss.
You still don't get it, that these are the TERRORISTS who murdered thousands of innocent Americans and are doing everything they can to murder more of us.
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Kansas senator refuses to sign bill banning torture
http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2005/oct/07/kansas_senator_refuses_sign_bill_banning_torture/?city_local
U.S. Sen. Pat Roberts, R-Kan. says he doesn’t condone torture, but he believes that terror suspects have information that can save innocent American lives.
“One of the most valuable tools we have in getting this information is terrorists’ fear of the unknown,” Roberts, a Kansas Republican who chairs the Senate Intelligence Committee, told the Journal-World on Thursday.
That’s why Roberts was part of a small minority Wednesday to oppose a Senate measure banning “cruel, inhuman or degrading” treatment of prisoners held by U.S. forces. The act passed 90-9, with strong support from both Democrats and Republicans.
Roberts said the measure, if it becomes law, will give terrorists an unfair advantage.
“Passing a law that telegraphs to the entire world what (terror suspects) can expect, if caught, I think would be a great mistake,” he said.
Amen! I could puke on what passes for a Senate this day.
Torture is not part of United States military standard operating procedures, especially the strict SOP followed at Guantanamo. The SOP already included concessions to the terrorsts' mohammedan beliefs, special meals, etcetera. What do you want? Are you a follower of Dick Durbin who called our fine soldiers "Nazis?"
This bill was absolutely unnecessary, because we have always outlawed torture.
Now, state and document your evidence that the U.S. military "actually intentionally torture or mistreat" terrorist prisoners?
And why not "mistreat" them? That is standard operating procedure in ALL U.S. prisons. What dream world do you live in?!
Agree 100%. Even the few exceptions are so-so.
BTW, has everyone e-mailed the President to veto this travesty?
president@whitehouse.gov
Correct.
"Reference?"
See the accounts of what the folks at AbuG and some of the other places were charged with. England didn't just pose, she jumped up and down on piles of naked prisoners along with a sgt. I haven't collected links.
These 9 should be commended.
That's right, Colin, world opinion is all important. What a disgrace Powell is and what a shame he ever held the positions of power that he did. He was always a major sandbagger of the WOT.
And... does this portend a McCain-Powell ticket in 2008?
NO EXCEPITONS!
DO NOT mistreat the prisoners.
If you do, you will go to jail.
It's simple. Your 2bit justifications can be used against Americans also. Beside that the sadists use the justification to mistreat the innocent.
Follow the rules.
It has been proven that torture does not work. People will say anything, valid or not if they are afraid.
It is true that murders were committed and bones broken in Abu Ghraib. That is why the military has charged, tried and convicted several troops involved.
You still don't get it, that these are the TERRORISTS who murdered thousands of innocent Americans and are doing everything they can to murder more of us.
I understand that. Many of the people in our custody are surely scumbags. Some of them aren't though. Quite a few have been released with a "Sorry about that, you aren't really dangerous after all"
Two people are still in Gitmo months after it was determined that they are not a threat and never were a threat.
“Passing a law that telegraphs to the entire world what (terror suspects) can expect, if caught, I think would be a great mistake,” he said.
I disagree. They should expect to be treated according to the Geneva Conventions and the Army field manual.
So? They simply ocpied a commie pamphlet. Probably from the Korean war.
Another example of our gutless GOP senators. We capture a terrorist who's got info that thousands of Americans are going to be killed in a terrorist act and we give him all the comforts of home, while we wait for Americans to be slaughtered. This nation has learned nothing from 9/11. I learned something though, I'll make sure none of money goes to US Senators who voted for this cowardly ammendment.
There are hundreds of pictures out of Abu Ghraib that show prisoners being mistreated. Not panties on the head. Rape and murder.
And why not "mistreat" them? That is standard operating procedure in ALL U.S. prisons. What dream world do you live in?!
Are you serious? Mistreatment of prisoners, whether they are terrorists, foreign, civilians, or US criminals is wrong and illegal. Yes it happens, but we should try to stop abuse when we can.
The mistake is in releasing them.
Released Detainees Rejoining The Fight
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A52670-2004Oct21.html
At least 10 detainees released from the Guantanamo Bay prison after U.S. officials concluded they posed little threat have been recaptured or killed fighting U.S. or coalition forces in Pakistan and Afghanistan, according to Pentagon officials.
One of the repatriated prisoners is still at large after taking leadership of a militant faction in Pakistan and aligning himself with al Qaeda, Pakistani officials said. In telephone calls to Pakistani reporters, he has bragged that he tricked his U.S. interrogators into believing he was someone else.
They are going to clarify matters. When Session's point is taken care of in conference regarding the classified annex. The rest of the SEnators will be on line. Then instead of 90% it will probbably be 100%.
In particular they are going to address and eliminate the modern homo erotic degradation that seems so popular.
Well, now that is a serious problem.
Really? What do you suggest? Tea parties? All the comforts of home?
Can you explain what you mean by "popular?" With whom and by whom?
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)
agreed
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