2008 Woodie Awards
Elections offer chance to rebuild U.S.'s standing
By: Letter to the Editor
Issue date: 3/12/08 Section: Forum
The Bush administration never fails to contradict itself.
Bush continues to assert that the U.S. government does not torture. Yet, when presented with H.R. 2082, the Intelligence Authorization bill, which prevents the Central Intelligence Agency and other U.S. agents from using waterboarding, sexual humiliation, dogs and other techniques that amount to torture and ill-treatment, he vetoes it! Thus the Bush administration continues in its reckless disregard for human rights and even basic human dignity.
I ask you, what sort of message are we sending to the international community? The United States that has claimed itself the watchdog of the world, the defenders of freedom and justice, continues to detain people in Guantanamo Bay without charges, continues to torture and continues to disregard human life.
As president of BGSU's chapter of Amnesty International and a fellow human being I am outraged! On the other hand, I am proud of our Congress for passing H.R. 2082. I am proud that they have rejected the ridiculous arguments that torture is a legitimate tool of interrogation, when in fact torture is not only immoral but it is counterproductive and illegal by international standards.
I implore students to consider this an issue in the upcoming election. Let's make torture and the immediate closing of Guantanamo Bay a priority in 2008. Hold Obama, Clinton, McCain and all the other candidates accountable for the atrocities this administration has committed under the "War on Terror."
This is an extremely important election for international human rights as well as the United States reputation in the international community.
Corey Stevens
Junior, Sociology
Bush continues to assert that the U.S. government does not torture. Yet, when presented with H.R. 2082, the Intelligence Authorization bill, which prevents the Central Intelligence Agency and other U.S. agents from using waterboarding, sexual humiliation, dogs and other techniques that amount to torture and ill-treatment, he vetoes it! Thus the Bush administration continues in its reckless disregard for human rights and even basic human dignity.
I ask you, what sort of message are we sending to the international community? The United States that has claimed itself the watchdog of the world, the defenders of freedom and justice, continues to detain people in Guantanamo Bay without charges, continues to torture and continues to disregard human life.
As president of BGSU's chapter of Amnesty International and a fellow human being I am outraged! On the other hand, I am proud of our Congress for passing H.R. 2082. I am proud that they have rejected the ridiculous arguments that torture is a legitimate tool of interrogation, when in fact torture is not only immoral but it is counterproductive and illegal by international standards.
I implore students to consider this an issue in the upcoming election. Let's make torture and the immediate closing of Guantanamo Bay a priority in 2008. Hold Obama, Clinton, McCain and all the other candidates accountable for the atrocities this administration has committed under the "War on Terror."
This is an extremely important election for international human rights as well as the United States reputation in the international community.
Corey Stevens
Junior, Sociology
Viewing Comments 1 - 4 of 5
Me
posted 3/12/08 @ 8:51 AM EST
Amen
I'm glad that every canadate running is against torture and even though I'm a democrat it's nice to see that McCain, the only one who has experienced being tortured, can speak to it personally how absolutely horrible it is and it's lack of effectiveness. (Continued…)
a
posted 3/12/08 @ 11:21 AM EST
McCain has openly made many statements against waterboarding specifically, but he's still pro-torture. He voted against the banning of torture in the recent bill the article mentions. (Continued…)
Jon S
posted 3/12/08 @ 11:21 AM EST
Scenario, a dirty bomb makes its way into the US. We are able to apprehend someone who knows where it is and help bring it in, but won't talk. Any suggestions on how to get this individual to speak? I'm not saying I condone torture, but what techniques could possibly be used to get this information out? If innocent lives are at stake would it be ok?
Me
posted 3/12/08 @ 1:18 PM EST
You can make up a scenario for any situation to disprove anything. It doesn't mean that it's reasonable. If someone is so intent on committing some sort of horrible act than torturing them isn't going to stop them. (Continued…)
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