The first is the fundamental assumption that every single person that we capture is automatically a terrorist (i.e., that suspicion equals guilt). This is not necessarily the case. It is wholly possible that some we have captured were in the wrong place at the wrong time, or that we made some other mistake.
Come on! The rule of law is so “Old Europe.” Now that we have Congressional approval for torture, hopefully those “activist judges” that Bush hates so much wont raise another ruckas.
Comment by Ratoe — Friday, September 29, 2024 @ 11:51 am
The problem is that you can’t sum up your argument into a single 10 second sound bite. “Respect the process” isn’t equal to “Coddling terrorist.”
Comment by SoloD — Friday, September 29, 2024 @ 12:20 pm
SoloD,
I’ve given this some thought and I’ve decided that I respectfully disagree. I think, in fact, it would be rather easy to come up with slogan for our side that was equally as vacuous and disengenuous as “coddling the terrorists”. For example, had Congressmen opposed to the amendment chosen to do so, they could have labelled this bill “The Torture Bill”. I think that would have worked well. That they did not, seems to indicate that they are either not as imaginative as the folks on the far right, or that they have higher principles. I choose to believe the latter, but I could be wrong.
Comment by LaurenceB — Friday, September 29, 2024 @ 1:35 pm
Lawrence,
I think there is a third explanation that blends 5/6 of your first option and 1/6 of your second. In principle, the Republican detractors know perfectly well that the bill as passed is anti-thetical to all we have been raised to believe America justice represents. And while they wanted to go on record condemning torture and secret evidence leading to the execution of prisoners, they ultimately lacked the backbone and imagination to stand for principle, without deference to their party’s electoral prospects and its considerable support for their own political hides. How incredibly disappointing this is who we have become. Hopefully the American electorate will wake up (and care).
Comment by randy B — Friday, September 29, 2024 @ 7:32 pm
The first is the fundamental assumption that every single person that we capture is automatically a terrorist (i.e., that suspicion equals guilt). This is not necessarily the case. It is wholly possible that some we have captured were in the wrong place at the wrong time, or that we made some other mistake.
Come on! The rule of law is so “Old Europe.” Now that we have Congressional approval for torture, hopefully those “activist judges” that Bush hates so much wont raise another ruckas.
Comment by Ratoe — Friday, September 29, 2024 @ 11:51 am
The problem is that you can’t sum up your argument into a single 10 second sound bite. “Respect the process” isn’t equal to “Coddling terrorist.”
Comment by SoloD — Friday, September 29, 2024 @ 12:20 pm
SoloD,
I’ve given this some thought and I’ve decided that I respectfully disagree. I think, in fact, it would be rather easy to come up with slogan for our side that was equally as vacuous and disengenuous as “coddling the terrorists”. For example, had Congressmen opposed to the amendment chosen to do so, they could have labelled this bill “The Torture Bill”. I think that would have worked well. That they did not, seems to indicate that they are either not as imaginative as the folks on the far right, or that they have higher principles. I choose to believe the latter, but I could be wrong.
Comment by LaurenceB — Friday, September 29, 2024 @ 1:35 pm
Lawrence,
I think there is a third explanation that blends 5/6 of your first option and 1/6 of your second. In principle, the Republican detractors know perfectly well that the bill as passed is anti-thetical to all we have been raised to believe America justice represents. And while they wanted to go on record condemning torture and secret evidence leading to the execution of prisoners, they ultimately lacked the backbone and imagination to stand for principle, without deference to their party’s electoral prospects and its considerable support for their own political hides. How incredibly disappointing this is who we have become. Hopefully the American electorate will wake up (and care).
Comment by randy B — Friday, September 29, 2024 @ 7:32 pm