Booman Tribune

Torture Is Now the Law of the Land

by BooMan
Thu Sep 28th, 2006 at 03:28:30 PM EST

It's over.

The bill’s ultimate passage was assured on Wednesday when Democrats agreed to forgo a filibuster in return for consideration of the (Specter) amendment. Any changes in the Senate bill, however, would have made it impossible for Republican leaders to meet their goal of sending the bill to the White House before adjourning on Friday to hit the campaign trail.

The Specter amendment failed. They are going to vote on the Kennedy and Byrd amendments now. They will fail. The Dems have already agreed not to filibuster, hoping the Specter amendment might pass. This shameful cave-in will never be forgotten. Ever. We haven't forgotten other blemishes on our history, like the Japanese internments, the Dred Scott case, or the resolution authorizing force in Iraq. And if the Dems think they have bought some protection against charges they are weak on terrorism, they are wrong.

Underscoring the political stakes involved, White House spokesman Tony Snow said today that President Bush will emphasize Democratic opposition to the bill in campaign appearances.

“He’ll be citing some of the comments that members of the Democratic leadership have made in recent days about what they think is necessary for winning the war on terror,” Mr. Snow told reporters en route to a fundraiser in Alabama, according to a transcript provided by the White House.

I doubt he will be quoting this:

“What this bill would do is take our civilization back 900 years,” to before the adoption of the writ of habeus corpus in medieval England, Senator Specter said.

The Democrats didn't prove they are strong on terrorism. They proved they are weak on human rights and defending the Constitution.



Display:
sad day and even the poll on C-Span that asks if detainees have rights to go before court to question their being detained - over 80% says yes that have this right!

The Republicans are soft on terrorists if they have to resort to torture and not being able to try even one in a court of law in five years.

by rosej on Thu Sep 28th, 2006 at 03:38:43 PM EST
Sorry but think this is important - Just learned something over in comments a Kos.

That's why he's (Reid) going the amendment route (4+ / 0-)
Amending or altering the Senate version of the bill KILLS it.

Here's how:

Right now, the House and Senate bills are identical, so if the Senate bill passes as is, it hits Bush's desk and becomes law.  (And then is immediately hit with ACLU and Amnesty challenges that will eventually overturn it, but I'm getting ahead of myself here.)

But if ANYTHING happens to change the text of the Senate bill, it can't go on to be signed by Bush until it's reconciled with the House bill.  And reconciliation takes MUCH more time than what exists before Congress recesses for the campaign season.

Mercury Rising: http://phoenixwoman.blogspot.com

by Phoenix Woman on Thu Sep 28, 2006 at 01:03:34 PM PDT



"The most successful politician is he who says what the people are thinking the most often and in the loudest voice." Theodore Roosevelt.
by Grandma M on Thu Sep 28th, 2006 at 05:43:59 PM EST
[ Parent ]
I just can't believe this shit!

  Who the hell is directing traffic out there in DC??!!;o(  I am so bewildered.  

by BrendaStewart (stormyweather1@hotmail.com) on Thu Sep 28th, 2006 at 03:40:09 PM EST
When you are an incompetent boobs, it pays to have weak opponents.  The Republicans do whatever they can to fire up there base, even when they lose.  The Dems do whatever they can to lose their base.

A conservative is a man with two perfectly good legs who, however, has never learned how to walk forward. Franklin D. Roosevelt
by Steven D on Thu Sep 28th, 2006 at 03:40:40 PM EST
What is this crap about agreeing not to filibuster?  "Thank you sir, may I have another?"

Disgusting.

"Little people are very stuff-intensive."

by CabinGirl on Thu Sep 28th, 2006 at 03:42:21 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Hi Cabin Girl,

I just got off the phone with Harry Reid's office. There was a nice young man named Nick, and he sounded very choked up. I asked why and they they were watching CSPAN in between phone calls and they are as upset and in tears as are we.

He explained the reason they did not filibuster is that they had only 38 votes - 6 Senators, Nelson  NE and Landrieu LA being 2, were going to vote on favor of this abomination. So in effect this bill would have already been a done deal.

The Dems hoped that by forcing them thru amendments one at a time, they  could run out the clock or perhaps change a few minds. Given the 6 Cowardly traitors - I say its the better strategy.

Also there is NEW 800# it is

      1-800-828-0498

"The most successful politician is he who says what the people are thinking the most often and in the loudest voice." Theodore Roosevelt.

by Grandma M on Thu Sep 28th, 2006 at 04:56:53 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Thanks.  It's hard to stomach that ANY senator would vote for this sh*t, but even worse to think that it comes down to 6 traitors from the Dem side.  

OT, but does anyone outside the blogosphere even realize what happened today?  

Thanks for the new #.

"Little people are very stuff-intensive."

by CabinGirl on Thu Sep 28th, 2006 at 05:11:37 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Most people can't be bothered CabinGirl. They are so busy(think about how it got that way for a minute)working, taking the kids all over, the PTA, the dog to the vet and on and on and on. I watch out here in California all the time. Everyone is in such a fucking hurry to get to nowhere. Drives me nuts. They don't want to bother their pretty little minds with such trivial things as torture, civil rights and humanity. What the hell?  

Frodo failed...Bush has got the ring.
by alohaleezy on Thu Sep 28th, 2006 at 06:05:22 PM EST
[ Parent ]
I wish it were different, but I think you're right.  I went for my morning walk with some other women from the neighborhood today, and I'm sure they would have been shocked to find out what all our little senators had been up to today.  Almost like we live in parallel universes.

"Little people are very stuff-intensive."
by CabinGirl on Thu Sep 28th, 2006 at 10:57:05 PM EST
[ Parent ]
We are so fucked.

America is DEAD.

I just made arrangements for my kids to be cared for once me and my husband are "detained" because we will not stop marching.

Good Bye.

When the power of love overcomes the love of power the world will know peace. - Jimi Hendrix

by Damnit Janet on Thu Sep 28th, 2006 at 03:42:05 PM EST
I never thought we'd return to the days of John Adams, but I guess that's what you get with a president as bad as - no, worse than -  Adams. There is so much more at stake now.

Cripes.

by conglomerNation on Thu Sep 28th, 2006 at 03:50:06 PM EST
"When fascism comes to America, it will be wrapped in a flag and carrying a cross."

Sinclair Lewis was right.  And my father and all those who fought fascism in WWII seemed to only have delayed its arrival here.

by ddc on Thu Sep 28th, 2006 at 03:52:16 PM EST
I just gotta say, apparently this no longer applies to the Us of A.

The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America

When in the Course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.
(My note:So maybe we should be thinking about this part)

That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, — That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.
Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security. — Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.


Click here to step into the Village Blue2
by diane101 (dianed101 @ yahoo.com) on Thu Sep 28th, 2006 at 04:00:59 PM EST
I am about to call barbara Boxer and tell her not to send me anymore requests for money.  Same with the DNC (actually, I already called them).  Same with countless others who are always begging me for money and ten not doing anythuign with it.

Oh, I'm gonna vote in 2006 all right.  And then I am going to give money to every single primary opponent of these weak ass, waste-of-time, waste-of-flesh democrats.
so pissed.

I need a drink.

John Mccain Called his wife WHAT??

by brendan on Thu Sep 28th, 2006 at 04:01:00 PM EST
And so it's official: we're not where we think we are. The American democratic experiment has utterly failed; the dream is over.
What next?
by wilderness wench on Thu Sep 28th, 2006 at 04:07:31 PM EST
And here I thought nothing would make me feel more let down or betrayed by my party's elected legislators than the vote that put Alito on the Supreme Court.

How DARE they bargain away their strongest card -- the filibuster -- in exchange for something that they HAD to have realized had no hope of passage at that price?  They didn't even agree based on the PASSAGE of the Specter amendment -- only on its CONSIDERATION?  How utterly STUPID can they possible get?  

Now, ironically, the only hope lies with the same Supreme Court justices whose confirmation we opposed...

This is a sad, sad day.  

Keith Olbermann speaks for me.

by JanetT in MD on Thu Sep 28th, 2006 at 04:19:41 PM EST
They are so busy war profiteering over in Iraq in order to spread"freedom and democracy" while they chisel away at it here. We are so screwed people. Now what?

Frodo failed...Bush has got the ring.
by alohaleezy on Thu Sep 28th, 2006 at 04:20:17 PM EST
Call the fuckers and tell what you think. Keep fighting... just now - it's going to be "radical". More dangerous. No more playing nice.

I did call David Wu State Rep - because he was one of the few who stood against this.

America IS DEAD.  

When the power of love overcomes the love of power the world will know peace. - Jimi Hendrix

by Damnit Janet on Thu Sep 28th, 2006 at 04:29:23 PM EST
[ Parent ]
oh and PS... I love you!!!!!

When the power of love overcomes the love of power the world will know peace. - Jimi Hendrix
by Damnit Janet on Thu Sep 28th, 2006 at 04:32:39 PM EST
[ Parent ]
oh and guess what - when I called Wu's office in DC... they said.. HEY! We just Cristy of CodePinkPortland, Civic Resist here and she was in the Gallery yesterday.

Don't give up hope... it's very very bleak right now... and more dangerous than we can imagine. We just all ... ALL have to get out there. Out of our comfort zones.

Out in the fucking streets.

When the power of love overcomes the love of power the world will know peace. - Jimi Hendrix

by Damnit Janet on Thu Sep 28th, 2006 at 04:36:05 PM EST
[ Parent ]
We just violated International Law.

I need someone that understands International Law to fill us in what is the next step is regarding a citizen's responsibilities in upholding International Law.

What are we now required by International law to do to get the US back in compliance.

"...Dammit, whatever happened to the concept of accountability for catastrophic failure?..." -Al Gore

by afs on Thu Sep 28th, 2006 at 04:22:18 PM EST
Looks like this probably needs a seperate thread...

http://www.boomantribune.com/?op=displaystory;sid=2006/9/28/163034/015

"...Dammit, whatever happened to the concept of accountability for catastrophic failure?..." -Al Gore

by afs on Thu Sep 28th, 2006 at 04:35:17 PM EST
[ Parent ]
The myth of American exceptionalism is now officially dead. The myth was on life support as it was, and it was only a matter of time before they pulled the plug over in DEE CEE.

Visit Notes From Underground: red state rebel scum since 2003.
by James Benjamin (durito_don at yahoo dot com) on Thu Sep 28th, 2006 at 04:26:15 PM EST
The bankruptcy bill made me sick.  Now this. There really are no words.

Oh, there you are, Perry. -Phineas -SLB-
by boran2 (blogistan@yahoo.com) on Thu Sep 28th, 2006 at 04:35:30 PM EST
Exactly.  Every effin time I think it can't possibly get any worse, they comeup with new and devious ways to prove me wrong.  Now I just have to ask, what will they do to trump condoning torture?!?

Ugh.  I am sick and in shock.

by Kamakhya (onyx at earthlink dot net) on Thu Sep 28th, 2006 at 05:44:21 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Fuck the Goddamn Democrats. These sniveling cowards made the deal to protect their own jobs at the expense everything America always claimed to stand for. This was no "compromise", it was a blatant, shameless sellout. The Democrats had a historic moment. They used it to supinely cast their lot with America's domestic enemies. By doing so they proved for once and for all that electoral politics is no longer relevant, and justice and decency will have to be fought for by other means.

I am ashamed that I ever imagined that either party was anything more than a punch and judy show created to co-opt democracy itself. They have left us an American future of failure, repression, and civil war.

FDR's response to progressive demands: "I agree. Now go out and make me do it."

by DaveW on Thu Sep 28th, 2006 at 04:37:36 PM EST
Fuck Politicians! Fuck them all!!!

When the power of love overcomes the love of power the world will know peace. - Jimi Hendrix
by Damnit Janet on Thu Sep 28th, 2006 at 04:42:10 PM EST
that Madman, AG and others have been saying for some time now...a vote for Democrats is a vote for a "kinder and gentler" version of Big Brother and the continuation of war without end...

Brings to mind a song written 10 years ago, by John Cale...

THE ICE AGE

From the 2004 Rainman Records release "Heretics & Privateers"

Words and music by John Kay

Beware the deadly wind howlin' at your door
Feel the freezin' chill, creep into your bones
Stay warm, stay warm, you're heart could die of cold

The ice age is upon us, frozen smiles and frozen stares
These days are short on mercy, bitter tears flow everywhere
The heart is growing harder till it just no longer cares

The orphans down below, reach up and call your name
But you quickly turn away and leave them standing in the rain
Take heed, take heed, you may reap just what your sow
They won't hear you scream for mercy
If they catch you down on the killing floor

Someday you'll wake up in a cold sweat
And lie there shivering in your bed
Your heartless demons, they will come to claim their toll
And they'll stay with you till the end, when you go down in your box of bones

So be careful of the wind seeping `neath your door
Beware the deadly chill, it'll creep into your bones
Stay warm, stay warm, your soul could die of cold

© 1995
Black Leather Music, Inc.

We are witness to the self destruction of the American ideal, and it is happening much faster than anyone could have imagined.

I am ashamed.

the revolution will not be televised...

by dada on Thu Sep 28th, 2006 at 04:43:56 PM EST
I wish being right didn't taste so much like I'd thrown up in my mouth right now.

"Whenever a Voice of Moderation addresses liberals, its sole purpose is to stomp out any real sign of life." - James Wolcott
by Madman in the Marketplace on Thu Sep 28th, 2006 at 06:35:17 PM EST
[ Parent ]
formerly of Steppenwolf

the revolution will not be televised...
by dada on Thu Sep 28th, 2006 at 04:48:01 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Why didn't I take my own advice and stay away from the internet today?

How utterly shameful.

We are condemned to kill time, thus we die bit by bit - Octavio Paz / Latino Político

by Man Eegee (man.eegee at gmail dot com) on Thu Sep 28th, 2006 at 04:47:21 PM EST
The day after the 2004 election, I felt so demoralized. Dean's presidential run had long been destroyed.  Cegelis had lost to frickin Henry Hyde.  The decider was going to rule as president again.

I went to my store room pulled out an old mattress, threw a blanket over my head and cried for hours.

Now I feel cold. And nauseated. And empty. Time for a long walk.

If you want things to get better, be prepared to deal with change.

by Kahli on Thu Sep 28th, 2006 at 04:51:48 PM EST
I need a drink. Any Philly boomantribunesters, get in touch as to where.

i am embarrassed and ashamed today.

John Mccain Called his wife WHAT??

by brendan on Thu Sep 28th, 2006 at 05:07:28 PM EST
Hmm...

"Little people are very stuff-intensive."
by CabinGirl on Thu Sep 28th, 2006 at 05:12:07 PM EST
[ Parent ]
I'm despondant. It that worse than depressed?
by BooMan on Thu Sep 28th, 2006 at 05:37:40 PM EST
[ Parent ]
I sincerely wish I'd been wrong. Really.

I've been feeling the despair you're expressing for quite some time, and it became white-hot rage after Kerry's capitulation.

We're in for a long struggle. The greater majority of this dead party needs to go, and the hack clones they've annoited need to be rejected.

"Whenever a Voice of Moderation addresses liberals, its sole purpose is to stomp out any real sign of life." - James Wolcott

by Madman in the Marketplace on Thu Sep 28th, 2006 at 06:34:34 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Looks like Torture Law illegal according to treaty...

"...The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights was signed by the U.S. in 1992 and outlaws torture or degrading treatment.

The treaty mandates signatories to submit reports on their compliance with the treaty every five years to the Human Rights Committee, which reviews reports and presents its findings to the United Nations...."

http://www.commondreams.org/headlines05/1029-03.htm

US Constitution says treaty obligations take precedence over all Congressional action.

From the text of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights

"Article 7

No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. In particular, no one shall be subjected without his free consent to medical or scientific experimentation."

http://www.ohchr.org/english/law/ccpr.htm

The terms of the 1992 Covenant on Civil and Political Rights take precedence.

"...Dammit, whatever happened to the concept of accountability for catastrophic failure?..." -Al Gore

by afs on Thu Sep 28th, 2006 at 05:30:24 PM EST


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