Prior to tonight's debate and each time during it that John McCain brags about his torture victimhood (or Jim Lehrer does it for him) or any of the participants touch on the topic of torture in any way without mentioning the facts below, please send Mr. Lehrer a note at onlineda@newshour.org along these lines.
Dear Jim Lehrer,
Are you aware of the following history?
In February 2008, John McCain voted against a bill that would supposedly have banned torture, and then applauded Bush for vetoing the bill.
In 2006 McCain voted in favor of the Military Commissions Act which supposedly left torture decisions up to the president.
In 2005 John McCain championed the McCain Detainee Amendment to the Defense Appropriations bill for 2005, which passed the Congress and was signed into law by Bush, adding one more redundant ban on torture to existing U.S. law, despite Vice President Cheney having lobbied hard against it. But McCain allowed a major loophole for the CIA and then kept quiet when Bush threw out the whole thing with a "signing statement." Bush and Cheney's administration continued to torture without any apparent slow-down or alteration in actual policy whatsoever.
Some Background:
On February 7, 2002, President George W. Bush signed a directive purporting to authorize torture.
In 1994 the United States ratified the Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CAT), requiring that the United States work to prevent all forms of torture.
In 1992 the United States ratified the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), banning torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.
In 1968 John McCain was tortured.
In 1949 the United States ratified the Geneva Convention relative to the Treatment of Prisoners of War, banning violence to life and person, in particular murder of all kinds, mutilation, cruel treatment and torture, as well as outrages upon personal dignity, in particular, humiliating and degrading treatment.
In 1948 the United States ratified the Universal Declaration of Human Rights banning torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.
In 1791 the United States ratified the Bill of Rights, banning cruel and unusual punishment.
In 1788 the United states ratified the Constitution, ordaining that all treaties made under the authority of the United States shall be the supreme law of the land.
So, why, Mr. Lehrer, could you not ask Senator McCain this question:
David Swanson is the author of the introduction to "The 35 Articles of Impeachment and the Case for Prosecuting George W. Bush" published by Feral House. Swanson holds a master's degree in philosophy from the University of Virginia. He has worked as a newspaper reporter and as a communications director, with jobs including press secretary for Dennis Kucinich's 2004 presidential campaign, media coordinator for the International Labor Communications Association, and three years as communications coordinator for ACORN, the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now. Swanson is Co-Founder of AfterDowningStreet.org, creator of ConvictBushCheney.org and Washington Director of Democrats.com, a board member of Progressive Democrats of America, the Backbone Campaign, and Voters for Peace, and a member of the legislative working group of United for Peace and Justice.
The US signed the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948, but I don't believe the Senate ever ratified it to treaty status which in my view is a great stain and failing of America's moral authority and should be the top priorty of any legitimate administration.
by
Mark A. Goldman (81 articles, 2 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 243 comments)
on Friday, September 26, 2008 at 2:48:14 PM
I am glad to see that McCoward actually decided to show up for the debate. What a bizarro week in politics. A republican revolt against their President and strange attempted cut and run from a debate by McCain.
by
E. Nelson (27 articles, 3 quicklinks, 24 diaries, 289 comments)
on Saturday, September 27, 2008 at 12:22:11 AM
And Obama oddly complimented McCain on torture, instead of pointing out that McCain voted for torture the last time there was a vote. I'm not sure why Obama is giving McCain a pass on this.
by
Bill Samuel (4 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 343 comments)
on Saturday, September 27, 2008 at 2:01:53 PM
When will someone make this point: McCain is celebrated for dropping bombs on Hanoi, which was his part in an aggressive American war effort that was illegal, immoral, genocidal, self-destructive, and punishable under the Nuremberg Principles.
by
Barry Kissin (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 1 comments)
on Saturday, September 27, 2008 at 4:03:36 PM
5 comments
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