Thursday, October 04, 2007

AN AGONIZING COLLISION

Say this, if nothing else, about the current administration -- it really does create its own reality. Not as tasty as making your own gravy (unless you believe Nick Lowe was right about that whole cruel-to-be-kind business), but it's fascinating to watch. Almost funny in a macabre way, until you realize it's happening in the United States.

Thursday's New York Times rolled with a deep, detailed story about the redefinition of torture by this country's leaders. The skinny: Congress outlawed “cruel, inhuman or degrading” treatment of prisoners. In a legal opinion, the U.S. Department of Justice agreed. But in a secret opinion, Justice said things like waterboarding, sleep deprivation, sensory overload and blows to the head are not cruel, inhuman or degrading.

Problem solved. Secrecy preserved -- until The Times opened a few windows so all of us can see what the government is doing in our names.

Do yourself a favor, if you haven't already. Read the story and go from there.

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

If police (and Jack Bauer) can routinely TASER people who get on their nerves, what the heck is going on at gitmo and other locations worldwide?

Anonymous said...

Screw the New York Times. Why don't you take a frickin' terrorist to lunch, Davis.

Anonymous said...

He would but there aren't really any good places to get terrorist cuisine in Springfield.

Larry Burkum said...

Anon 10:04, do you find the activities described in the Times article acceptable if used on a captured American soldier?

Anonymous said...

Hear the latest on Rachel Aram? Injured as passenger in an auto accident in Ft. Lauderdale last Monday. Had to be cut out by jaws of life. Surgery and overnight in ICU for repair of broken ankle. Unborn baby was not harmed. She is leaving Miami Channel 4 for San Francisco Bay area where she and fiance will raise their child.