He sure has a funny way of supporting the troops
I had wanted to write about this earlier but I got roped into fixing the roof this weekend.
Anyway, President Bush had this to say last Friday when asked about how he would feel if a foreign power (Iran and North Korea were singled out) were to conduct interrogations on captured US soldiers or government agents based on their own interpretations of the Geneva Conventions:
All members of the military or any government agency should take note of that. Because the President just said he hopes that if captured, you would be subjected to the following practices:
Apparently, these are all practices which the administration wants the CIA to be able to use on terrorism suspects. And, if Bush's words are to be believed, on captured Americans as well.
Now I know some of you are saying that Al-Qaeda will never abide by the Geneva Conventions. Of course they won't and it would be ridicules to argue that any terrorist organization would. But the Geneva Conventions were put into place primarily to ensure reciprocal protections for our soldiers when we find ourselves at war with another nation state. Absurdly, the Bush administration seems to be under the assumption that the current conflict with Al-Qaeda is the only one the US will ever be involved in. And yet at the same time there are hints that the administration may or may not be gearing up for a confrontation with Iran.
Of course we all know the real reason that the Bush administration wishes to "reinterpret" Geneva: in the wake of Hamdan, Bush and pals are scared shitless that they may find themselves vulnerable to war crimes.
Only problem is the precedent it would set. If the world's last remaining superpower were to be seen as snubbing its nose at international law, how soon do you think it would be before others follow suit?
But this is how Bush chooses to support the troops. Risking their safety and well being to cover his own ass.
Update: Does Senator Graham read XF? You tell me.
Anyway, President Bush had this to say last Friday when asked about how he would feel if a foreign power (Iran and North Korea were singled out) were to conduct interrogations on captured US soldiers or government agents based on their own interpretations of the Geneva Conventions:
David, my reaction is, is that if the nations such as those you named, adopted the standards within the Detainee Detention Act, the world would be better. That's my reaction.
All members of the military or any government agency should take note of that. Because the President just said he hopes that if captured, you would be subjected to the following practices:
[..]induced hypothermia; forcing suspects to stand for prolonged periods; sleep deprivation; a technique called "the attention grab" where a suspect's shirt is forcefully seized; the "attention slap" or open hand slapping that hurts but does not lead to physical damage; the "belly slap"; and sound and light manipulation.
Apparently, these are all practices which the administration wants the CIA to be able to use on terrorism suspects. And, if Bush's words are to be believed, on captured Americans as well.
Now I know some of you are saying that Al-Qaeda will never abide by the Geneva Conventions. Of course they won't and it would be ridicules to argue that any terrorist organization would. But the Geneva Conventions were put into place primarily to ensure reciprocal protections for our soldiers when we find ourselves at war with another nation state. Absurdly, the Bush administration seems to be under the assumption that the current conflict with Al-Qaeda is the only one the US will ever be involved in. And yet at the same time there are hints that the administration may or may not be gearing up for a confrontation with Iran.
Of course we all know the real reason that the Bush administration wishes to "reinterpret" Geneva: in the wake of Hamdan, Bush and pals are scared shitless that they may find themselves vulnerable to war crimes.
Only problem is the precedent it would set. If the world's last remaining superpower were to be seen as snubbing its nose at international law, how soon do you think it would be before others follow suit?
But this is how Bush chooses to support the troops. Risking their safety and well being to cover his own ass.
Update: Does Senator Graham read XF? You tell me.
Are the Washington Press Corp really interested in what this lunatic occupant of the White House has to say?
Surely, everyone knows by now (even the pinheads at FOXNews) that Cheney is the de facto president and pulling the strings and making policy.
Posted by
Anonymous |
9/19/2006 09:14:00 AM
And there in lies the problem. While everyone else is focused on this jabbering mental patient we call a President, the real Decider is free to do all sorts of nefarious stuff.
Remember, Cheney was the one who said we have to work the dark side. He wasn't kidding.
Posted by
Anonymous |
9/19/2006 09:29:00 AM
Cheney is as "dark" as anything roaming the earth.
I'm convinced he died years ago and is kept alive via necromancy -- the ultimate "deal with the devil."
Check out TIME Inc. this week. A naval blockade of Iran is scheduled for Oct. 1st, 2006. A month before the midterms and firing the first salvo in a war against Iran.
Posted by
Anonymous |
9/19/2006 09:40:00 AM
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