Nearly 9/10 Americans support Impeachment

According to a recent MSNBC Online Poll, 89% of the American public believes President Bush should be impeached. It’s time our Congress stepped up. Write letters to everyone who represents you. They are slow, but they will hear the voice of the people.

FYI: It’s not too late, it’s not meaningless.  Tell your children you didn’t sit on your ass doing nothing while our Constitution was torn to shreds.

Everything in moderation, here I stand

One of the biggest gripes I have with the climate of modern politics is that the moment you reveal one position on one issue, you are labeled. You can either be a flag waving, gun toting, Bible thumping, English-only speaking conservative or a soy burger eating, latte drinking, secular, high society liberal. It seems like nobody ever recognizes that everyone as wildly differing views, and don’t fit so nicely in those categories we’re given.

John Adams, one of my political heroes, essentially lost his second term for not being partisan enough. He refused to line up before the issue was at hand. I believe in much the same. I also believe it is possible to get America and Congress specifically to where very few things remain on the docket. It may sound idealistic or even absurd, but I believe that is what the Founding Fathers intended by the phrase ‘to form a more perfect Union’ in the Preamble to the Constitution. I wanted to write out just what my positions are on specific issues. This is based on the organization of issues at glassbooth.org with some variations.

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On Abortion and Birth Control

• I support a woman’s right to choose because they are always the most informed on the situation and the realities of a child being brought into the world and their own health concerns. I would also urge the federal government to leave this issue to the states, this is an example of the power of federalism.

• I support emergency contraception because it is simple, early, safer and to be blunt the earth has a population problem. The United States doesn’t feel that problem, but it exists.

• I support abstinence and sex education, with an emphasis on sexually-transmitted diseases. Children tend to do the opposite of what you tell them. Don’t just tell them not to, tell them why not and how to be safe if they disobey. It’s called mitigation, much more effective than the all-or-nothing policy of abstinence-only education.

On Civil Liberties

• I support extending habeas corpus to Guantanamo Bay detainees, knowing the crimes of the accused will not harm national security.

• I oppose waterboarding and any form of physical or psychological torture, first on the grounds that the counter-terrorism community believes it is ineffective in retrieving actionable intelligence. Especially in a ticking-time-bomb scenario, we need something that produces results. Torture simply undermines democracy.

On Crime and Punishment

• I support the death penalty as a matter of federal concern, again I believe individual states should decide.

• I support a drastic rethinking of the drug war, marijuana scheduling and decriminalization. Non-violent drug offenders should not end up in prison, rehab maybe.

• I oppose mandatory minimum sentencing, instead I support the implementation of Initiative, Referendum and Recall in every state so that judges may be recalled if they do something against the interests of the public. The criticisms of this system are the same as when it began here in Arizona in 1912. That should tell you something, and as a resident, it works. Propositions brought up by the people allow us to offer legislation, which is especially useful in areas where politicians may fear backlash for proposing or voting for divisive legislation.

On Education

• I support the elimination of the Department of Education thereby eliminating the No Child Left Behind Act, electing to trust the states to use their own existing education departments to compete with each other.

• I oppose funding schools based on property tax in the area, this is de facto segregation an serves to create socio-economically segregated schools. With all funding coming from the state level, all schools within a district should receive the same amount per pupil and districts with more schools should be given bonuses. This would discourage branching-off to favor one or a smaller group of schools. There is a school within 5 miles of University of Phoenix Stadium where the Arizona Cardinals play that doesn’t have maps in its social studies classrooms.

• I strongly support across-the-board raises for schoolteachers, progressively based on level (elementary, middle, secondary). There is absolutely no reason teachers shouldn’t be able to afford to live in whatever neighborhood they are teaching in, on their own salary. Teachers across this country are many of the ones facing losing their homes due to predatory lending and yes, false optimism on the teacher’s part.

• I oppose standardized tests at the national level. States should be free to do as they please in this regard, but I ask this question: are the tests in the poor schools the same as the ones in the wealthy schools? It’s interesting we put them on the same scale, but not in the same building.

• I oppose vouchers for education. The biggest problem with vouchers is the disparity in cost between your average private school and the amount these vouchers would grant. In Arizona, private schools’ tuition averages about $6,000-9,000 per year. Schools are only paid on average just shy of $4000 per student, per year. Anyone with another few grand can easier afford to send their children to nice schools, but poor families who have no way to pay or transport their children are out of luck.

• I oppose merit-based pay. There is no fair way of brokering this system. Teachers who inherit stronger students (affluent areas with less crime, strong feeder schools) are at an advantage. This would only serve to discourage any teacher from looking to work in areas in highest need of teachers.

• I support a period of mandatory public service for youth. When you feel like you own the house, you take better care. It’s the same with a nation, everyone should take part in building it and making it better.

On Environment and Energy

• I support taking action to reduce the impact of Americans on the environment. Preliminary debate should be aimed at collecting the issues which establish consensus, such as gaining energy independence. Not only would renewable energy sources stabilize our economy and create jobs, but also reduce fossil fuel dependence (if not emissions).

• I support pushing for international consensus points on the issue of environmental friendliness. Begin with broad and basic examples, and work with the international community on a truly global problem.

• I support a cap-and-trade system for carbon emissions, where businesses may purchase carbon credits to offset emissions. It would really do nothing but push money in different directions, but it would reward those who are best on the environment. In my eyes these are well aligned incentives.

• I support the pursuit of nuclear energy. We’ve got to get past stigma and phobias to realize, cleaner is better than dirty and dependent. We should always be working toward the best, most efficient and cleanest energy sources available. The problem is becoming complacent.

• I strongly support a drastic effort to improve public transit, not only within urban centers but also interstate. There is no reason we cannot have bullet trains and an alternative to the airlines, one that doesn’t take days to reach a destination or confine us on a small bus with odd people.

• I support increased fuel standards for automobiles in the United States. If only to make sure the domestic auto companies can compete, because in reality we’re getting killed in the auto market. It isn’t really even wise to buy an American car if you truly want to make the best purchase for your own self-interest.

On Gay Rights

• I support civil unions for gay couples. I wouldn’t oppose gay marriage in any way, I just know this issue is the kind of thing that will require baby steps to overcome the hypocrisy in any “separate but equal” government stance.

• I support extending spousal benefits to same-sex couples, to strengthen those families. They are, in fact, families. They shouldn’t worry about custody or inheritance if one dies simply because they aren’t a traditional couple.
  

On Gun Control

• I support background checks for the purchase of firearms. This is just a matter of conscience. Our government keeps better tabs on people buying fertilizer than guns. I don’t think it should go any further, but making sure people aren’t violent criminals isn’t too much to ask.

• I oppose a ban on assault rifles. “When guns are outlawed, outlaws will brandish cologne.” Did I get that right? No, that was Dave Barry, but I do think that if we outlaw assault rifles then the only people who will have them will be true violent criminals.

On Health Care

• I support a universal system of health care. I believe that modern technology and government transparency will make this system work. The exact same people will be doing the diagnosis, treatment and surgical procedures so I don’t understand why people think the service would crumble. The truth is, you can go to Canada, you can ask a Canadian. They will tell you, their system works and people are happier and healthier. This would have collateral effects far beyond just health care.

• I believe the government involvement in health care would help to bring costs down, because the pharmaceutical companies wouldn’t be able to swarm such a large group at once.

On Immigration

• I support a path to citizenship for illegal immigrants existing this country. The process of deportation would be lengthy and expensive.

• I support deportation of all illegal immigrants convicted of a felony. With some exceptions, such as known gang members with a history of deportation and re-entry.

• I oppose a physical fence along the US-Mexico border. Barriers don’t keep people out, they keep you in. Whether you realize it or not, this kind of thing will make us no safer but will speak volumes to the rest of the world and future generations. A border fence would only bolster the human smuggling trade and send business into a dangerous criminal cartel.

• I oppose making English the official language in the United States. This is frivolous and sort-of xenophobic, and would only create problems getting care or court services. We should instead be mandating all American school children learn two or even three languages throughout their school years, beginning in elementary school.

On Iraq and Foreign Policy

• I support beginning withdrawal of troops from the war in Iraq and a shift in focus to Afghanistan and Osama bin Laden.

• I support the President urging China to cease selling weapons to those committing genocide in Sudan and urge Hu Jintao to meet with the Dalai Lama.
  

• I support a lifelong commitment to the health and mental well-being of anyone who enlists in the military.

• I support a foreign policy of tackling all issues diplomatically. I’m tired of presidents who think 4,000 dead American servicemen is better than even trying to a conversation with an adversary.

• I support multi-lateralism in every major global action, through the United Nations or NATO.

• I support using foreign aid to combat poverty and disease, and to provide business opportunity through microcredit loans.

• I support ending the trade embargo with Cuba and beginning a new era of relations with our neighbor ninety miles from Florida.

On Medical Marijuana and Drug Policy

• I support doctors making marijuana available for medical use. Many medical professionals would put their years of education and professional reputation on the line for something that millions of Americans believe should be legal for medical purposes.
  

• I oppose federal raids on sick or dying patients prescribed medical marijuana, and their health care providers. This is cowardice and going after the lowest man on the totem pole.
  

• I oppose the wasteful War on Drugs. The money only creates a giant bureaucracy and a court and prison system flooded with non-violent drug offenders, costing the taxpayers billions.

• I support the rescheduling of marijuana, from Schedule I to Schedule III on the federal drug scheduling system. Compare for yourself.

Schedule I

• The drug or other substance has a high potential for abuse.
• The drug or other substance has no currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States.
• There is a lack of accepted safety for use of the drug or other substance under medical supervision.

Examples: Heroin, LSD, Marijuana, MDMA (Ecstasy), methaqualone (Quaalude)

Schedule III

• The drug or other substance has a potential for abuse less than the drugs or other substances in schedules I and II.
• The drug or other substance has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States.
• Abuse of the drug or other substance may lead to moderate or low physical dependence or high psychological dependence.

Examples: Anabolic steroids, ketamine (Special K), synthetic THC (Marinol)

On Social Security

• I support privatizing social security. While simply stopping the highway robbery of the social security trust fund would probably right the ship, privatizing is more American. To be honest, nearly everything needs competition. Everything that isn’t a matter of true government concern. I think the government is more responsible for promoting a healthy population than for giving them peanuts by garnishing their grandchildren’s paychecks during retirement, but that’s me.

• I oppose raising the earnings cap on social security. The more you make, the less you need social security for retirement.

On Taxes and Budget

• I support the elimination of the Internal Revenue Service in favor of a Fair Tax system, which generates the same revenues by taxing consumption rather than income. The dumbest thing America does is tax the one thing it needs every able-bodied American to do, work. We don’t tax rampant consumption aside from marginal sales taxes, which often create negative externalities which tax dollars must address. Under the Fair Tax, you can make as much money as you want with no increase in tax due to income. Read more about the Fair Tax.

• I support an amendment requiring Congress and the President to balance the federal budget every year.

On Trade and Economics

• I support free trade with few restrictions. Trade can be the most powerful vehicle for positive change in the world, we must always prepare for creative destruction.

• I oppose any increase in the federal minimum wage. This generally only leads to more inflation with little actual benefit in the long run. In the short run hours are usually cut, so the benefit is moot.

• I support many government subsidies for farmers, however I believe fruits and vegetables are disgustingly underrepresented(around 3% of overall subsidies). This relates to illegal immigration as well, because if we subsidized fruits and vegetables more we might be able to attract American workers to pick strawberries in California or lettuce in Arizona. Just a thought.

• I support normal trade and diplomatic relations with China. Our President should, however, continually be urging Hu Jintao to meet with the Dalai Lama and make visible strides in the area of human rights.

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Let me know if there’s anything I should add to this list, and feel free to discuss my stances. You don’t need to waste your time just to attack, but reasoned debate is very welcome.

The Compassion Forum – Democrats steal a Republican show

This format seems somewhat awkward, especially for Democrats. It is a positive and welcome change, but an odd thing nonetheless. You get the sense that the two sides are coming together for a more effective debate on the real issues that face us all. The location is Messiah College in Grantham, PA.

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Hillary Clinton got off to a slow start stumbling through words to piece sentences together as she dodged specific questions to say that her faith is not one example or about her. I agree to some extent, but in the frame of reference of a politician in a ‘Compassion Forum’ she’s dodging the questions. It’s not until she’s asked a question by a religious leader and not Campbell Brown, far from the toughest interviewer around.

The line of thought for her decision making process in the White House was definitely a strong argument. She denounces the defensive and abrupt process that has met critics of presidential policy in the past. There was no real accusation there, but clearly it was the Bush administration to which she was referring. This is a very strong position to have, but one I believe both Democratic candidates have this attitude.

The “potential for life begins at conception”? What a nice way out so that she can speak and pander to both sides? I do agree that she’s worked most of her life to reducing the number of abortions women have, but it comes down to education. Another question dodged, but a real history and body of work if you are pro-choice but agree we should work to reduce the number of abortions in our country. That should be something we can all get behind.

Senator Clinton took a great opportunity to talk about the issues facing women in Africa and other parts of the world in regards to birth control, forced sterilization and genital manipulation. Throughout my political science education I’ve read a lot on this topic, something that can horrify to no end. It doesn’t get much airplay, and quite frankly it’s a difficult discussion to have but it is great to see Hillary championing women’s rights as human rights around the world.

The assisted suicide question seemed out of left-field, but Hillary reminded us that the Terry Schaivo case divided America a few years ago. This forum must be a serious challenge for Hillary, she sounds robotic and over-thought for sure. It’s difficult to watch when she is uncomfortable or thinking on the fly. I’d definitely concur that the entire issue of assisted suicide is not at the ready in my mind, and I’m sure it’s not a top talking point for Senator Clinton.

After the break the Senator responds to questions from the audience. Her first question deals with her awareness of the separation of church and state but she agrees that this forum is useful for the topic. Comparing her question to the religious separation question to Barack Obama’s answer, I can’t help but feel her answer was incomplete. She never really addressed exactly how she felt about it, not in a “how would it/wouldn’t it affect policy?” way, but a “what is your personal philosophy?” way. It shouldn’t become a big issue, but he gets the win on this issue for sure.

The next question from the audience deals with Tibet and China, and on this subject Hillary Clinton is taking an idealist viewpoint I can only admire. I truly want to stand up to China as a nation, but I’m pragmatic enough to know that this would have ramifications far worse than anything we’ve seen in global threats since the height of the Cold War. She urges President Bush to boycott the Olympics, which I’ve already discussed and disagree with as a matter of protest. It would ultimately be counter-productive in terms of actually getting anything accomplished with China in the future. The fact that Clinton urged the boycott could hurt her chances in dealing with China if she were to become President.

A question about proliferation of low-cost drugs and generic drug proliferation to people in need who have no resources to pay for expensive medicine gives Sen. Clinton an opportunity to agree with President Bush and then criticize him for not going far enough for people in need. I don’t know that this issue really becomes a voting issue in most peoples’ minds, but it is a strong stance to have, and one that we must make if we are to remain a moral authority in any capacity.

Why would a loving God allow innocent people to suffer? “I don’t know, I can’t wait to ask him.” This yielded more applause than anything thus far, which I think is a tell about what the American people want in a candidate. Just be honest. She continues on to talk about the Pope and the call to eliminate poverty, saying we haven’t done enough. I agree, but that argument is harder to make while spending $500 billion simultaneously rebuilding and occupying Iraq.

Bible stories and people’s favorite this-and-that never entertained or interested me. She mentions Chelsea’s name, which is good to remind women that she is a mother as well, and a damn good one from what we’ve (or haven’t) seen from our media and paparazzi. Hillary’s next question from a director of the Interfaith Youth Core is about united efforts to deal with global warming. She basically responds with rhetoric for a minute or two and then splashes in a mention of cap-and-trade and her plans for responsible carbon reduction. This stuff is important to know, but boring in a forum setting.

On the subject of Darfur and Somalia, among other devastated and war-torn areas of the world, Clinton had to balk at the idea of committing US troops to a purely humanitarian mission under a foreign flag. I agree that this isn’t the type of thing a candidate can promise. She uses examples of the tsunami in Sri Lanka and the earthquake in Pakistan to illustrate other ways the US can give humanitarian aid. The question wasn’t really plausible to begin with, but she definitely took the opportunity to point out ways the US can help the rest of the world without troops with guns.

Do you believe God wants you to be President? “I don’t presume anything about God.” This answer resonates with me having been around pushy Christians as well as those who lead purely by example and I’d say this was the strongest statement she could make. She goes on to say she makes her best efforts and hopes she can make a difference in people’s lives. Another resonant point she made was that we must not become complacent with our faith and think we have all the answers. You could almost see that as a critique of her audience, but the event even taking place is a testament to both sides’ willingness to be honest about issues that face all Americans.

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Now it’s Obama’s turn. They launch right into the “cling to guns and religion” question. He points out that his words were clumsy, which happens often on all three campaign trails. I think a strong argument to make in this forum was that the Bible says to cling to what is good, and reaffirming that he is a devout Christian and has worked his entire life and with the church to find opportunities the people of Chicago. I believe, and I could be mistaken, that the Bible also says something about humans being imperfect and something else about forgiveness.

As a response to the “elitist” remark he simply says “we try to tear everybody down instead of building people up”. He continues to say that he’s worked with the church to help everyone his entire life, before he was thinking of running for President as well. He appeals to the core values of all religions by saying “I am my brother’s keeper”, which may help but some Christian leaders don’t like the parallels of their religions with the other major faiths of the world. He certainly has never come across as an elitist to me, but then again I was passionate about these topics before he decided to run for office and the comment was generally more aimed at those who vote on single issues. Arizona has done this twice since I’ve lived here, you’ll see those knee-jerk reaction issues on the ballot and major press in church bulletins and conservative talk radio about it, in order to get people out to vote Republican across the board.

Can we find common ground on the abortion debate? First, acknowledge the moral dimension to the decision. It’s a mistake not to because it is a very powerful choice regardless. Second, “people of good will can exist on both sides”. We should work toward eliminating the teenage pregnancies by focusing on abstinence while recognizing health of women and age-appropriate education in regards to sex. This generally seems to be pandering, given the forum, but very solid points.

Senator Obama does not want to comment on when life begins, but he knows there is something powerful about that potential for life, which much be taken into account during the debate.

Campbell Brown piggybacks on to this by asking about assisted suicide. A response I hadn’t expected was his connection to a living will, which makes perfect sense. If we all have a living will many of these cases could easily be cleared-up. While doctors alone should not make that decision, Obama believes there should be some way for a humane and peaceful end.

The next question seems to be about the True Love Waits abstinence program in Uganda and the role faith plays in that program as well as taking the opportunity to get a laugh and compliment George Bush on the PEPAR program working in Uganda. Again, he co-opts the abstinence plan and goes further to include contraception and health treatment. Wrapping the question back around, he also discusses the issue of promiscuity as a social cause of the spread of HIV.

Senator Obama is then confronted with his “punished with a baby” statement, which was in his personal example involving his own daughters. He elaborates to say that he was referring to the possibility of them making a mistake and having sex at 13- or 14- and somehow got pregnant. Again, I believe these are more clumsy words and Obama is keen to point out this was in the same day he said children were a miracle. If a flat-out lie counts as a misspeak, this certainly does.

Being asked about the literal 6-day-theory of creation, to which he gives an honest and well-pointed answer. He says that he believes God created this earth, but it may have not been in 6- 24-hour days. I believe the interpretation should stay open as well, the dogmatic approach some Christians take to a translation of a translation of a two-thousand year old book is astonishing to me.

Global warming and climate control seems like an odd or at least awkward topic for a religious forum, but the person asking the question begins by saying he doesn’t buy into the idea of a war between the science and religion communities. Sen. Obama’s answer is very fluffy and wordy, but makes a few key points, in that we must look to our own generation to be good stewards of the land and not keep passing the buck.

The Audacity of Hope comes up in the discussion of Reverend Wright, when the question of just how the reverend brought him to Christ. The story that follows is just a great “The View” type anecdote of his life, which would be well-received by anyone in the audience if this were simply a book tour, but the rules of politics apply. He elaborates on the level of ministry received from Reverend Wright and points out that it was not only the reverend as his “spiritual advisor”. After his comment that the 20-second loop of “Reverend Wright’s greatest hits” is not representative of him as a person or that church as an organization the crowd broke his speech

On his life in Indonesia, it again takes on the feel of a book tour. He talks of a more tolerant Islam being practiced at the time, and the fact that he actually attended a Catholic school during his elementary years in Indonesia. He morphs this into a statement that all faiths can work together in a modern world and that Islam can be compatible with that world.

A poignant question on Dr. King’s dream of cutting poverty and the lack of results over the last forty years poses the challenge of cutting poverty in half within ten years. Mr. Obama enthusiastically makes the commitment, but with humility, point out the uphill battle facing our poverty-stricken neighborhoods. His response meanders into the area of tax reform, eliminating tax cuts for the wealthy and gaining energy independence. He wants to build a system of health care, to prevent disease rather than treat it at increasing costs. After school programs and early childhood education programs will also play a role in helping rebuild our communities. He declares an interest to keep the Office of Faith Based Initiatives open, which I’m sure will play well to that audience.

“We have to be clear and unequivocal. We do not torture. Period. We don’t farm out torture. We don’t subcontract torture.” On the subject of torture Obama immediately rejects any use of torture on grounds of morality and efficiency. He points out that many from the intelligence community agree torture does not yield actionable intelligence. The strongest human argument here was that we will lead by example, and not concede civil liberties out of fear.

On the question of religion having far too much influence in public life, he feels we’ve fallen into a “false debate”. He condemns both extremes; that religion does not belong in any public discourse is wrong and that there should be no distinction between church and state is equally wrong. A strong question posed by Obama was to imagine Dr. King scrubbing religion from his speeches, or Abraham Lincoln’s 2nd Inaugural Address.

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The wrap-up was strong for Senator Obama, although not near as strong as it could have been had the debate closed on the subject of torture. Many Americans’ sensibilities are truly offended by the idea that we export our democracy and break our own laws. It undermines our safety internationally, so in that it is counterproductive. Hillary Clinton didn’t do poorly, but going before Obama didn’t serve her well. She’s not near as strong of a speaker and tends to have more annoying mannerisms when it’s clear she’s thinking or off-balance. The real winner tonight, however, was the Democratic Party. For the first time in a few weeks those within it weren’t attacking each other so directly. I’d trade all of the analysis and punditry for a Compassion Forum any day.

Something I found out only after the showing was that CNN invited him to participate in this forum and he declined. I understand why, but it doesn’t help get a whole perspective, and it’s a cop out in a way because now he can prepare for some of those tough questions of faith without having his own confusion take over. It was a smart move for the campaign, a dumb move for a person who wants people to get to know him better. I do hope to see John McCain in this type of setting in the future.

One final note on the “elitist” argument. I don’t really know anyone who that comment might have applied to who a) watches political talk news or listens to talk radio or b) regularly insults people by calling them an elitist. This whole story is perpetrated by the news, as they anticipate how people must feel for a few weeks until polls prove they are horribly wrong. True elites in the news are pushing this story like crazy, acting as though they alone are “public outcry”, and I just can’t wait for the PA primary and any that follow (now that former President Carter and Vice-President Al Gore have urged Hillary Clinton to halt her campaign). I want to see these pundits proven wrong and dumb, yet again, just like it happened with Reverend Wright. Despite everyone continuously talking about this, the public opinion has not changed. People aren’t swayed by that crap. The common man is waiting for two candidates to choose from. When the time comes they will go in and vote on the war, or the economy, or some other single issue. Most Americans don’t care about this silly world of politics.

A collection of links and video on waterboarding

This will be sporadically updated and possibly organized better in the future. I want to have a good place to go for all of the information I constantly find myself sharing with people in chunks.

• http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7185648.stm

US national intelligence chief Mike McConnell says it would definitely be torture if HE were subjected to it.

• http://rawstory.com/news/2008/Highlevel_members_of_Administration_pressured_underlings_0402.html

There are some accusations of top level administration orders and pressure on underlings to follow-through with the torture. This is starting to have ‘war crimes’ written all over it.

• http://thinkprogress.org/2008/01/03/our-torturous-vice-president/

Our Vice President and his chief of staff, David Addington were where the buck stopped for torture. At least until a memo surfaced with the president’s signature.

• http://thinkprogress.org/2008/02/13/mccain-waterboarding-fail/

McCain was against waterboarding before he was for it!

• http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/004931.php

Torture gave them nothing but ‘crap’. If the information is useless, and you are still ‘ok’ with the torture, you’re just a sadist.

• http://abcnews.go.com/print?id=4631535

ABC News reporting that Dick Cheney had to OK the harsh interrogations.

• http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/09/07/opinion/meyer/main1981479.shtml

President Bush says we don’t torture. We’ve said we don’t, so we don’t.

• http://rawstory.com/news/2007/Waterboarding_drowning_water_torture_expert_testimony_1110.html

“This is not a simulation.”

• http://rawstory.com/news/2007/Romney_Ticking_time_bomb_justifies_torture_0113.html

Mitt Romney believes we must leave waterboarding open for the ticking time bomb. I wonder how effective drowning someone is in getting them to give up actionable intelligence? Making them go brain dead, temporary or no, will hinder any suspect’s ability to give credible information in the “ticking time bomb” scenario.

• http://www.newsweek.com/id/131298

Torture, specifically an internationally unacceptable method like waterboarding makes it harder for us to get criminals and terror suspects extradited. This is from an ally like the UK. There are just some times when you have to act as a responsible and moral nation and times you go in both guns blazing. After 9/11 we had the all clear to go into Afghanistan locked and loaded. We don’t have that anymore, and we never really had it with Iraq. Now it’s hurting our international relations and our ability to pursue our own justice against those who plot against us.

• http://arstechnica.com/journals/science.ars/2007/03/05/psychological-torture-as-damaging-as-physical-torture

Psychological torture is reported to be as damaging as physical torture.

• http://www.salon.com/news/feature/2007/06/07/sensory_deprivation/#

Sensory deprivation – the military’s number one form of ‘torture’.

• http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,22548731-5001028,00.html

Not like we shape national security policy by what others think, but the Australians read that our House Majority Leader calls this torture. This is how our war on terror makes us less safe.

• http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-intel6feb06,1,1477654.story

The US government finally comes out and admits to waterboarding on February 6th, 2008. The memo referred to surfaced 2 months later.

• http://thinkprogress.org/2007/11/03/waterboarding-abc-news-levin/

Dan Levin, a former Department of Justice offical was forced out of his job after conducting his own tests on waterboarding and determining it was not legal. He actually underwent the procedure himself, a rare insight in this debate.

• http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/04/05/AR2008040502099.html

Could the president have a prisoner’s eyes poked out? John Yoo says maybe.

• http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/12/08/AR2007120801664.html?hpid=topnews

Some issues with the Democrats’ handling of this issue. It’s not like they’ve done anything since 2006 when they took over both houses of Congress. I still think a snake rots from the head, and that this president bred a climate in Washington that made it impossible to get anything done without kick-downs to his buddies at KBR and Halliburton.

• http://www.pensitoreview.com/2007/10/29/mukasey-wont-say-waterboarding-is-torture/

In 1947 the US condemned waterboarding as torture and yet our new Attorney General won’t admit it? That sounds barbaric.

• http://waterboarding.org/water-based_torture_history_with_pictures

A nice time line of the history of waterboarding, from the Spanish Inquisition to Cambodia POW camps circa 1975. I wonder how many other Inquisition torture techniques would work to maim our enemy and bring us more sadistic revenge for 9/11?

• http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/11/02/AR2007110201170_pf.html

Waterboarding used to be a crime. In 1983 federal prosecutors charged a Texas sheriff and three deputies for violating civil rights by forcing confessions through waterboarding.

• http://thinkprogress.org/2007/11/28/romney-torture-black/

Former presidential hopeful and no-doubt future candidate Mitt Romney talks about deferring to a “counterterrorism expert” on the issue. His expert is connected to Blackwater, the independent contractor (see militia) group working in Iraq which is linked to at least 30 deaths of Iraqi civilians. Yeah, I’d say he’s considerate of human rights and the implications of condoning torture at a national level.

• http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/03/08/bush.torture.ap/index.html

As recently as March 8th, 2008 President Bush vetoed a bill banning waterboarding.

• http://rawstory.com/news/2007/Pres._Carter_US_tortures_prisoners_I_1010.html

President Carter argues he knows for a fact that the US tortures prisoners. Why not believe a former president, who has held that office and knows its inner-workings?

• http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/5368360.stm

Then there are the reports that Iraqis feel the torture is worse in their country after Saddam Hussein’s regime has been removed. Who knows how widespread these feelings are, but it’s not a small matter when the administration already patronized us with phrases like “we’ll be greeted as liberators”.

• http://firedoglake.com/2008/02/13/mccain-standing-up-or-standing-down-on-torture/

McCain has talked a big game, but failed to deliver on a torture bill. His claim was that President Bush would inevitably veto the bill. Way to stand up to make sure no one in the military you wish to lead must endure what you went through for five and a half long years.

• http://www.alternet.org/blogs/peek/77151/

Congress’s priorities are reflected by the will of the public. A recent CNN poll showed tha 68 percent of Americans said waterboarding was torture.

So what does the White House claim? That the Congress is just being influenced by far-left bloggers. Thats hilarious, if 68 percent of Americans were doing what I am right now we’d be a far less productive nation.

• http://uk.reuters.com/article/topNews/idUKN0852061620080208?rpc=401

The United Nations also believes that waterboarding should be prosecuted as torture. I know a lot of Americans are told to hate international governmental organizations, but we actually control the UN more than we have to go along with it. It takes a lot more for them to sanction us than for us to put harsh economic crunches on inter-war Iraq, for example.

Brave New Films on the unsuspecting civilians asked to carry out horrific acts, authorized at the highest level. Very powerful! It’s always interesting to hear the private thoughts of people carrying out these orders.

A Scranton native explains how it was partly John McCain’s father who helped communicate the warning of the military industrial complex to President Eisenhower. He also warns against military-funded think tanks.

Would waterboarding be torture if Iranians did it to our soldiers and civilians?

I doubt anything would actually come of this, but the idea of people being called on their transgressions and possibly even taking responsibilty for them gives me a warm feeling. Ahh…fantasy-land.

Matt Lauer confronts President Bush on waterboarding and torture. The president basically says “don’t look behind the curtain…” I wonder if he knows we’re smarter than this, or if he thinks he’s got us duped? Oliver Stone needs to use the song Big Balls by AC/DC in his docu-drama, maybe as W entrance music during the coke-daze in college.

Below are the declassified documents alleged to be memos authorizing torture, which are signed by President Bush. You be the judge, and we’ll see as people with resources investigate. Originally posted at DKos.

Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, saying that torture isn’t a violation of the 8th Amendment, not because it isn’t cruel or unusual, but because it isn’t punishment.

Technorati Tags: waterboarding, politics, news, torture

Criminals wear ski masks

If you notice in any of the video of waterboarding taking place, you will see the soldiers are wearing ski masks, like the henchmen for a criminal outfit. Sure, the mob boss doesn’t wear a ski mask, but his enforcers do…that’s all I can think when I see this clear torture taking place. Get the information, just get more creative…torture and democracy don’t belong together.

Every American should know what their government is up to when it comes to torturing human beings. The beacon of democracy and freedom is tarnished when we violate our own basic principles and surrender habeas corpus and our civil liberties slowly erode. This is a unique time in American history and I don’t know if people realize this, we’re teetering on a brink. The Bush administration has bombarded us with scandal and corruption to the point where we become apathetic. We don’t realize subtle hypocrisies anymore, like Veterans Affairs hospitals not permitting any registration of veterans to vote nor helping them get to a place to register to vote. These are injured veterans, not people waiting for the wrong bus.

Digg: Could the President have a prisoner’s eye poked out?

Thirty pages into a memorandum discussing the legal boundaries of military interrogations in 2003, senior Justice Department lawyer John C. Yoo tackled a question not often asked by American policymakers: Could the president, if he desired, have a prisoner’s eyes poked out?

Or, for that matter, could he have “scalding water, corrosive acid or caustic substance” thrown on a prisoner? How about slitting an ear, nose or lip, or disabling a tongue or limb? What about biting?

by Dan Eggen, Washington Post, April 6, 2008 pg. A06

I highly recommend reading all of the article, it is a sad mark of where our nation has been and is headed if the people do not take the reigns. Things like this don’t happen “for a reason”, and there’s never anything people did to justify their own suffering, but we have total control over the future. When it comes to government, there are things which will ensure every American doesn’t shoulder the guilt of wars waged against people who tried to kill your daddy. Instead of trusting elected fools with the lives of Americans who wear the uniform, I have two ideas for a better America.

National Initiative for Democracy – This project is working to institute something similar to the initiative, referendum and recall system which implemented in 11 states, including Arizona. The idea is simple, if I can get a certain amount of signatures (say 10% of last elections total turnout), I could get certain legislation introduced to be weighed by the people in the next election. Recall also allows for appointed judges to be recalled, this would eliminate the need to accuse and the existence of “activist judges”. Sometimes the will of the people comes out in odd ways, and sometimes it is a judge with an agenda.

Transparent Government – This concept hasn’t had near enough elaboration, but it’s safe to say that in the Google Age, we can make any information accessible. We just need government cooperation and willingness to take a magnifying glass to their cushy jobs with frivolous fringe benefits. I’ve represented the movement with a great resources site. I’ll admit I’m not as well versed as I need to be, but I’ll continue to bring you my findings, with links to the sources.

Please feel free to comment and add to the discussion/fuel my research. All I want is the truth, and yes, it does hurt.

[UPDATE: I found a video of a reporter saying that as a result of this “torture memo” many top officials may be indicted for war crimes. I’ll believe that when I see it, but it’s nice to know at least someone wasn’t afraid to speak the truth. These men committed war crimes. At the point we realize this war was unnecessary and took our attention off the real target, who was a sworn enemy of Saddam Hussein, we should also realize lies got us into the war and the liars who manifested them are guilty of war crimes. What the public decides to do with that is their collective prerogative. Sources: original story from the Washington Post, video and analysis from the Huffington Post.]