Bush torture memos released

[E.J.]

These memos are legal opinions written by the justice dept. that basically say torture isn't really torture if we do it.

President Obama made the following statement when releasing the memos.

My judgment on the content of these memos is a matter of record. In one of my very first acts as President, I prohibited the use of these interrogation techniques by the United States because they undermine our moral authority and do not make us safer. Enlisting our values in the protection of our people makes us stronger and more secure. A democracy as resilient as ours must reject the false choice between our security and our ideals, and that is why these methods of interrogation are already a thing of the past.

But that is not what compelled the release of these legal documents today. While I believe strongly in transparency and accountability, I also believe that in a dangerous world, the United States must sometimes carry out intelligence operations and protect information that is classified for purposes of national security. I have already fought for that principle in court and will do so again in the future. However, after consulting with the Attorney General, the Director of National Intelligence, and others, I believe that exceptional circumstances surround these memos and require their release....

This is a time for reflection, not retribution. I respect the strong views and emotions that these issues evoke. We have been through a dark and painful chapter in our history. But at a time of great challenges and disturbing disunity, nothing will be gained by spending our time and energy laying blame for the past. Our national greatness is embedded in America?s ability to right its course in concert with our core values, and to move forward with confidence. That is why we must resist the forces that divide us, and instead come together on behalf of our common future.

The memos can be downloaded from the ACLU web site HERE

[JamesSavik]

Waterboarding? HA. If we had given them abcessed teeth now that would have been cruel and unusual.

[DesDownunder]

It seems to me that President Obama actually understands Benjamin Franklin's statement, "They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety. " -http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Benjamin_Franklin

[The Pecman]

The usual story has been that the U.S. doesn't do the torturing. We hire foreign people (like the Isreli Mossad) to do our torturing for us. Technically, the U.S. isn't doing the torturing.

Bush did a ton of sneaky crap like that. I hope to god they can eventually build a case against the jerk and put him away -- preferably in the same cell with O.J. Simpson and Phil Spector. Now that's a sitcom...

[Cole Parker]

In a speech talking about this, Obama said, in part, that we must regain the moral high groud that is one of the underpinnings of this nation.

I myself think that's extremely important.

C

[DesDownunder]

While Democracy is evolving, it is in danger in this era, of being challenged by more than one theocracy, any of which have their own less than human, moral agendas.

Cole, from a secular, humanist-socialist viewpoint, that moral high ground has to above the inequitable greed of capitalism, beyond the reach of communism, and untouchable by the extremes of religious or political authoritarianism.

I like to think that Obama understands this. I'm certain he knows it is not an easy objective to attain.

Quote Pecman:

The usual story has been that the U.S. doesn't do the torturing. We hire foreign people (like the Isreli Mossad) to do our torturing for us. Technically, the U.S. isn't doing the torturing.

The US may not technically, be doing the torture, but it does seem that the administration was responsible for, if not arranging the torture then indeed, not doing anything to prohibit it.

Deniability in the cause of that torture does not have much plausibility to my mind.

I would hasten to add that I for one would never blame the US as a people for the transgressions of the tortures that occurred.

The strength of the American democracy and its constitution is in the right for the individual to dissent, and unless I miss my observations, the American people are not intent on torturing others, except with certain Hollywood movies and mutilating the English language.

However the sitcom you suggest might indeed be worth watching.