I agree, that the issue of torture is a matter of our own self-respect. Those who sanctioned these methods do not want the practices labeled “torture” for obvious reasons. The job description is too gruesome: Torturer-in-Chief.

On the other hand, I don’t think starting a witch hunt serves the nation’s interest, unless we’re ready to bring the whole house down. Witch hunts tend to have a life of their own, quickly spinning out of control. I think airing the issue, debating and prohibiting the practice of waterboarding in the future is the most important thing.

I don’t like Obama. More importantly, I don’t trust him or his shady backers. But I don’t think they’re fools.

Thanks for the piece, Susan. I particularly enjoyed the historical info.

I do think a greater good can still happen, though, if the top level officials are investigated, charged and convicted. At least that will go a long way in clearing America’s name as a rogue nation and hopefully containing the damage to a forgettable eight years.

Newt realized too late that the Clinton’s whom he had fought all those years had become the firewall to preventing a radical movement taking over the democrat party.

So true, SM! If the GOP would and the msm had scrutinized Obama as they did the Clintons–or even GWB toward the end of his presidency, BO would never be pres now.

Torture is wrong. period.

http://www.cnn.com/2005/POLITICS/10/06/senate.detainees/index.html
Senate ignores veto threat in limiting detainee treatment
“he measure, sponsored by Sen. John McCain, R-Arizona, would require American troops to follow interrogation standards set in the Army Field Manual and bar “cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment” of prisoners in U.S. custody.

On Wednesday night, senators voted 90-9 to include the provision to the $440 billion Defense Department spending bill now wending its way through Congress.

Earlier, White House spokesman Scott McClellan said President Bush would likely veto the defense spending bill if McCain’s language were included, calling the amendment “unnecessary and duplicative.”

“If it’s presented, then there would be a recommendation of a veto, I believe,” McClellan said.”
“Arguing for his amendment, McCain, a former Navy pilot who spent more than five years in a North Vietnamese prison camp, said “our troops are not served by ambiguity.”

“We demanded intelligence without ever clearly telling our troops what was permitted and what was forbidden. And then, when things went wrong, we blamed them and we punished them. We have to do better than that,” he said.

McCain said an officer in the 82nd Airborne Division, Capt. Ian Fishback, urged his office to push for clear guidelines for the treatment of prisoners after unsuccessfully attempting to get answers from his superiors for 17 months.”

and
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/10480690/
“WASHINGTON – President Bush reversed course on Thursday and accepted Sen. John McCain’s call for a law banning cruel, inhumane and degrading treatment of foreign suspects in the war on terror.

Bush said the agreement will “make it clear to the world that this government does not torture and that we adhere to the international convention of torture, whether it be here at home or abroad.”

“It’s a done deal,” said McCain, talking to reporters outside the White House. “

According to CIA sources, Ibn al Shaykh al Libbi, after two weeks of enhanced interrogation, made statements that were designed to tell the interrogators what they wanted to hear. Sources say Al Libbi had been subjected to each of the progressively harsher techniques in turn and finally broke after being water boarded and then left to stand naked in his cold cell overnight where he was doused with cold water at regular intervals.

His statements became part of the basis for the Bush administration claims that Iraq trained al Qaeda members to use biochemical weapons. Sources tell ABC that it was later established that al Libbi had no knowledge of such training or weapons and fabricated the statements because he was terrified of further harsh treatment.

“This is the problem with using the waterboard. They get so desperate that they begin telling you what they think you want to hear,” one source said.

However, sources said, al Libbi does not appear to have sought to intentionally misinform investigators, as at least one account has stated. The distinction in this murky world is nonetheless an important one. Al Libbi sought to please his investigators, not lead them down a false path, two sources with firsthand knowledge of the statements said.