The Democratic Congress recently voted to outlaw such barbaric practices as "water boarding" (originally known as "water torture," which dates back to the Middle Ages and was used extensively by the Waffen SS of the Third Reich), while the Bush Administration claims that such extreme methods are needed in the war against terrorism.
It is important to put this whole debate in an international context. For the past several years, the Bush Administration has been attempting to "amend" the Geneva Conventions unilaterally to allow extreme interrogation techniques. Many such practices are clearly inhumane and torturous, according to Amnesty International and other human rights groups.
The Bush Administration and their allies in Congress have been claiming the right to broadly "interpret" Article 3 of the Convention - the provision that bans torture. As a result, Bush is claiming that he has the power to commit Medieval-style torture against imprisoned combatants and suspected terrorists. Now, he's threatening to veto any new legislation that would prevent the U.S. from engaging in additional acts of torture.
This is not the first time we've heard about rampant human rights abuses directly or indirectly encouraged by the Bush Administration. From Abu Ghraib to Guantanamo Bay to secret prisons in Eastern Europe, this President has systematically established an American torture network. Meanwhile, by engaging in the illegal abuse of POWs and other detainees, the U.S. has lost the moral high ground that we had in the initial aftermath of 9-11.
If the US abandons or departs from important provisions within the Geneva Conventions, then other nations - including our enemies - may do likewise. It is very important to note that not all of our current and prospective enemies are terrorist groups.
Besides, we should never lower ourselves to the level of terrorists. If the U.S. continues to succumb to the temptation to extract information through torture, then we are no better than the Jihadist thugs that cut off the heads of "infidels." It is important to maintain (or regain) the moral high ground, while at the same time striking hard against any nation or group that directly threatens American lives, property, or security.
This is an issue that clearly shows who actually supports our troops and who does not. As many veterans have argued, tampering with the Geneva Conventions would likely cause our enemies to do likewise, thereby threatening the lives and safety of our soldiers.
The Bush Administration's unilateral approach to the Geneva Convention is counterproductive to long-term American interests. We cannot go it alone. We need allies to wage any kind of effective war on terrorism. Such unilateral actions are bound to fuel even more resentment and hatred against the US. Taking such steps has been a propaganda victory for many of our adversaries. Such neo-fascist unilateralism has isolated the U.S. further, thereby weakening U.S. foreign policy and endangering Americans at home and abroad.
Ironically, studies have shown that such extreme interrogation techniques are often ineffective in extracting reliable information. It is important to note that waterboarding is not only highly painful, but can also cause permanent harm. People have even died by waterboarding (at least when used by other nations), so that definitely qualifies not only as torture, but also as potentially premeditated homicide.
But that's aside from the main point: We should never pick and choose when to adhere to the Geneva Conventions, or attempt to reinterpret the agreement unilaterally. That is a very dangerous slippery slope. We must treat all prisoners of war and enemy combatants the same under both international and domestic law.
Otherwise, we risk becoming a despotic outlaw nation, even further condemned and isolated by the world. If we condone such actions as a society then we risk not only our international reputation and respect abroad but also our own national identity as a freedom-loving people.
It is important to put this whole debate in an international context. For the past several years, the Bush Administration has been attempting to "amend" the Geneva Conventions unilaterally to allow extreme interrogation techniques. Many such practices are clearly inhumane and torturous, according to Amnesty International and other human rights groups.
The Bush Administration and their allies in Congress have been claiming the right to broadly "interpret" Article 3 of the Convention - the provision that bans torture. As a result, Bush is claiming that he has the power to commit Medieval-style torture against imprisoned combatants and suspected terrorists. Now, he's threatening to veto any new legislation that would prevent the U.S. from engaging in additional acts of torture.
This is not the first time we've heard about rampant human rights abuses directly or indirectly encouraged by the Bush Administration. From Abu Ghraib to Guantanamo Bay to secret prisons in Eastern Europe, this President has systematically established an American torture network. Meanwhile, by engaging in the illegal abuse of POWs and other detainees, the U.S. has lost the moral high ground that we had in the initial aftermath of 9-11.
If the US abandons or departs from important provisions within the Geneva Conventions, then other nations - including our enemies - may do likewise. It is very important to note that not all of our current and prospective enemies are terrorist groups.
Besides, we should never lower ourselves to the level of terrorists. If the U.S. continues to succumb to the temptation to extract information through torture, then we are no better than the Jihadist thugs that cut off the heads of "infidels." It is important to maintain (or regain) the moral high ground, while at the same time striking hard against any nation or group that directly threatens American lives, property, or security.
This is an issue that clearly shows who actually supports our troops and who does not. As many veterans have argued, tampering with the Geneva Conventions would likely cause our enemies to do likewise, thereby threatening the lives and safety of our soldiers.
The Bush Administration's unilateral approach to the Geneva Convention is counterproductive to long-term American interests. We cannot go it alone. We need allies to wage any kind of effective war on terrorism. Such unilateral actions are bound to fuel even more resentment and hatred against the US. Taking such steps has been a propaganda victory for many of our adversaries. Such neo-fascist unilateralism has isolated the U.S. further, thereby weakening U.S. foreign policy and endangering Americans at home and abroad.
Ironically, studies have shown that such extreme interrogation techniques are often ineffective in extracting reliable information. It is important to note that waterboarding is not only highly painful, but can also cause permanent harm. People have even died by waterboarding (at least when used by other nations), so that definitely qualifies not only as torture, but also as potentially premeditated homicide.
But that's aside from the main point: We should never pick and choose when to adhere to the Geneva Conventions, or attempt to reinterpret the agreement unilaterally. That is a very dangerous slippery slope. We must treat all prisoners of war and enemy combatants the same under both international and domestic law.
Otherwise, we risk becoming a despotic outlaw nation, even further condemned and isolated by the world. If we condone such actions as a society then we risk not only our international reputation and respect abroad but also our own national identity as a freedom-loving people.
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