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 ...
The girls in the senate have spoken, with predictable results. I am really starting to despise these useless gasbags.
Every Bill which shall have passed the House of Representatives and the Senate, shall, before it become a Law, be presented to the President of the United States; If he approve he shall sign it, but if not he shall return it, with his Objections to that House in which it shall have originated, who shall enter the Objections at large on their Journal, and proceed to reconsider it. If after such Reconsideration two thirds of that House shall agree to pass the Bill, it shall be sent, together with the Objections, to the other House, by which it shall likewise be reconsidered, and if approved by two thirds of that House, it shall become a Law. But in all such Cases the Votes of both Houses shall be determined by yeas and Nays, and the Names of the Persons voting for and against the Bill shall be entered on the Journal of each House respectively. If any Bill shall not be returned by the President within ten Days (Sundays excepted) after it shall have been presented to him, the Same shall be a Law, in like Manner as if he had signed it, unless the Congress by their Adjournment prevent its Return, in which Case it shall not be a Law.
Bush has a couple of options. He can attempt to veto, in which case it will be promptly sent back and re-passed with a veto-proof majority. He can also not sign it and it will be delayed 11-12 days. Or if Congress is really slow, and he has some allies delay it within 11 days of the end of the session, it could be delayed significantly. But in any case, it will eventually become law.
Once elected, a senator continues to serve until the expiry of his or her term, death, or resignation. Furthermore, the Constitution permits the Senate to expel any member with a two-thirds majority. Fifteen members have been expelled in the history of the Senate; 14 of them were removed in 1861 and 1862 for supporting the Confederate secession, which led to the American Civil War. No senator has been expelled since; however, many have chosen to resign when faced with expulsion proceedings (most recently, Bob Packwood in 1995). The Senate has also passed several resolutions censuring members; censure requires only a simple majority and does not remove a senator from office.<>---
It's unlikely they would turn on themselves, eh?
Not knowingly anyway.
This action today speaks volumes about how their behavior mimics Rome's final days and its Senate's own conduct and misconduct.
S.AMDT.1977
Amends: H.R.2863
Sponsor: Sen McCain, John [AZ] (submitted 10/3/2005)
COSPONSORS(4):
Sen Graham, Lindsey [SC] - 10/3/2005
Sen Hagel, Chuck [NE] - 10/3/2005
Sen Smith, Gordon H. [OR] - 10/3/2005
Sen Collins, Susan M. [ME] - 10/3/2005
I actually don't believe that was your motive for joining Free Republic.
George Allen voted for it too. they all fear being labeled as "being in favor of torture" - because the MSM has won the battle and framed the terms of the debate on this.
My reserve unit doesn't have any funding to bring in pilots to maintain currency. That's on top of pulling funds in the middle of August of the last fiscal year.
Not sure what you mean by that, but whatever. I've been lurking for quite a while. Someone asked for a link to the vote tally, I happened to have the link, and I posted it. Sorry if that irks you or something.
Are you freakin' kidding?? It's a spending bill - there's zero chance he'll veto it and a pretty good chance he'll add more spending.
its going to take another terror attack - a big one - on US soil, to awaken the sheeple. 9-11 wasn't enough.
Lindsey has been all over the airwaves of late,, don't be surprised to see a McCain-Graham ticket running as a 3rd party or attempting to grab the GOP one. just a thought.
All these Senators should be FIRED.
In other profession, people who screw up and do major damage, get fired on the spot.
As likely to be one as the other.
====
Scary, isn't it?
Well, now that America has been shown how the sausage is made, anything much less restrictive than this is going to be a hard sell. There's still a gaping loophole in this, known as turning them over to a foreign country with fewer scruples.
Yes, but this sends a message to the terrorists, in flashing neon light, that we don't have the stomach for a REAL fight.
Appeasing Terrorists
http://www.canadafreepress.com/2005/benamon100505.htm
By Felicia (Fee) Benamon
Wednesday, October 5, 2005
I think Americans need to be reminded of who their enemy is. Why do we placate terrorists? Or terror suspects? We seem to want to be so accommodating when all they want is to annihilate us, enslave us, and force hardcore Islamic beliefs on us. Remember 9/11 hero Todd Beamer and crew ( The Heroes of Flight 93 )? They did not try to "negotiate" or sweet-talk the 911 hijackers. Todd Beamer's words were "Let's Roll", in other words, let's kick some butt!!
The 9/11 Memorial design in NY was slated to lean political correct, all designed to bring "understanding" or "healing" to the 911 tragedy. Thank goodness there were some outraged Americans who saw it offensive to water down the memorial, not giving the 9/11 victims the fitting tribute they deserve ( N.Y. Gov. George Pataki Drops Museum From WTC Memorial Site ) , ( Take Back the Memorial Petition & Tribute ). The story of that fateful day should be told as it was...America was attacked by vicious, evil people who hated everything this country stands for. A syrupy 9/11 Memorial?! What would Todd Beamer think of that?! It's atrocious considering what many Americans have suffered through during the war on terror.
Recently, CBS's 60 Minutes ran a story of an ex-hostage Roy Hallums who was rescued by American forces in Iraq from terrorists ( CBS News | The Hostage | September 26, 2005 09:00:04 ). They treated Mr. Hallums horribly. He was beaten and made to sit in a cage for so long... he was in captivity for 10 months! The terror suspects at Guantanamo Bay Cuba received better treatment! High quality meals, prayer mats, etc. Do you think Roy was given the option of having reading material, perhaps the Bible, in captivity?? No way! I am surprised he made it ...it's a miracle he's alive!
I am convinced that Islamic militants should not be covered under the Geneva Convention. They do not represent a specific country, they are evil murderers and we are way too lenient on them! They kidnap and behead our people (and our allies) and we worry how they are being treated while they are "detained". Something is wrong here! If terrorists engage American soldiers, I say shoot to kill!
Under constant threat
We are very lucky that we have not suffered another terrorist attack on American soil. I commend the efforts of the Bush administration for doing their best to track down potential threats. There was a scare in the Memphis area recently... a student attending the University of Memphis was here on an expired visa, seeking information on flying and information on the layout of Memphis International Airport ( Student Arrested After Pilot Uniform Found ). This should send shock waves up your spine! We live under constant threat. Most Americans do not think about it because as long as everything is going fine in our lives, we continue to think that we have somehow escaped the problem of terrorism. But the fact is, since our border policies are lax, there are potential terrorists who are here illegally who live among us, in our neighborhoods, going to our schools, doing business at our local stores, you name it. We should never get a false sense of security, but realize we are at war, and the enemy is among us, whether we like to admit it or not.
It's important in this fight on terror, to completely eliminate it...just like Nazi hunter Simon Wiesenthal ( About Simon Wiesenthal ) who sought justice after the horrible atrocities committed by the Nazis. We fight against a brutal enemy that would love to commit similar atrocities on our families. Does that not bother you?! We cannot stop until justice is served! Remember 9/11! It is also very important that we find Osama Bin Laden, and Abu Musab Al Zarqawi, the terrorist responsible for attacks in Iraq. If both men are not killed...in the event of their capture, taking the lenient route, thinking of their "rights", is out of the question! Put them on trial, and execute them! Same goes for Saddam Hussein. His trial should commence, he should be tried for his numerous crimes, and be executed. We are playing around too much!
We cannot afford to pass this on to our children. This is too big of a problem to let the problem of terrorism simmer and develop into something massive later. And placating it will make it worse. They sure would not give us any leverage or mercy! We've seen it time and again as innocent people are sent to their deaths. We either fight back with a vengeance, or suffer the consequences! It's our call!
Yes, I would like to know what the rules actually are before I start yelling about it. Hopefully, our military will still be allowed to use drugs to get information from the terrorists. I don't think beating them to a pulp would be especially helpful in gaining information. They would love that. It would mean that they could get to their "72 virgins" that much faster.
I am ashamed that my senator wanted this bill attached to the military spending bill. I don't think any bill should ever be attached to another. That is the way to lose out on some very good things, put a weak or repugnant bill in with a good one and make the president a bad guy no matter what he does.
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