Fugetaboutit! We don't care if Muslims suspected of terrorism are made uncomfortable. We are not the ACLU. We are Americans.

"that American intelligence operatives attempting to thwart terrorist attacks can legally use interrogation methods that might otherwise be prohibited under international law."

"Might?"

The administration can use torture when it might thwart terrorist attacks.

"Might?"

"Might" be prohibited?

"Might" stop attacks?

"MIGHT???"

Thanks once more for cutting through the daily clutter, which sheds light. And glad you found time to write the new book, and are finding time to properly promote it. Keep chiseling away! It doesn't make these wrongdoings any less disturbing, but day-by-day you're giving real shape to the great big mess, which is inspiring.

We don't care if Muslims suspected of terrorism are made uncomfortable. We are not the ACLU. We are Americans.

This is America now, but we used to be so much more. In fact, we used to be the paragons of international justice. It's amazing how far we've come down from the heights of the Nuremberg trials, where the worst criminals in human history were given real due process, with full legal representation, rules of evidence, and the whole bit. In those days, we believed in the law as a source of moral strength, that we really were "a nation of laws, not of men."

It's sad that we have become so degenerate that none of the above is true anymore. America is a nation of craven, frightened bullies, and we simply do not have the courage to hold to our supposed principles. There should have been outrage across the country last year when Romney said "our most basic civil liberty is the right to be kept alive". How much further from "Give me liberty or give me death" can you get? We've betrayed the founding principles of this country and it's unclear whether we can resurrect them.

McCain's contorted torture position is no real surprise. After all, he probably has some rather ambivalent feelings about the benefits of "enhanced interrogation." On one hand, it must have really sucked being tortured as a POW in Vietnam. On the other hand, it worked. Not only did John McCain make an anti-American propaganda film, but the stalwart McCain also tried to kill himself. If such a hero can be turned yellow with a few turns of the thumb screw, it must not be all bad, right?

What about Hillary Clinton saying that she would "obliterate" Iran, presumably with nuclear weapons, if that country's government attacks Israel?

Today, the Boston Globe editorial board says that "[Hillary Clinton] seems not to realize that she undermined Iranian reformists and pragmatists. The Iranian people have been more favorable to America than any other in the Gulf region or the Middle East."

If Hillary Clinton feels that she must "act tough" to prove that a woman can be a strong commander-in-chief while merely running for office, what's to prevent her from feeling the need to "act tough" as the first actual female commander-in-chief and doing something catastrophically violent to prove her toughness?

If President Bush orders an attack on Iran before the 2008 November election, how can Hillary Clinton then turn around and condemn him after she has so "imprudently" as the British called it, and with "doltish ignorance" as the Saudis called it, threatened to obliterate the very same country?

Glenn, this issue is important.

What about Hillary Clinton saying that she would "obliterate" Iran, presumably with nuclear weapons, if that country's government attacks Israel?

That isn't quite what she said. She said that the U.S. would attack Iran -- "obliterate" them -- if they attacked Israel with nuclear weapons. That's a stupid thing to say -- and stupid formulation -- but I didn't hear Obama object to it, did you? To the contrary, I heard him say this:

I have said I will do whatever is required to prevent the Iranians from obtaining nuclear weapons.

I believe that that includes direct talks with the Iranians, where we are laying out very clearly for them: Here are the issues that we find unacceptable, not only development of nuclear weapons, but also funding terrorist organizations like Hamas and Hezbollah, as well as their anti-Israel rhetoric and threats toward Israel.

I believe that we can offer them carrots and sticks, but we've got to directly engage and make absolutely clear to them what our posture is. Now, my belief is that they should also know that I will take no options off the table when it comes to preventing them from using nuclear weapons or obtaining nuclear weapons.

And that would include any threats directed at Israel, or any of our allies.

STEPHANOPOULOS: So you would extend our deterrent to Israel?

OBAMA: As I said before, I think it is very important that Iran understands that an attack on Israel, is an attack on our strongest ally in the region, one that we -- one whose security, we consider paramount. And that would be an act of aggression that we would -- that I would consider an attack that is unacceptable. And the United States would take appropriate action.

Is it Obama's position that we wouldn't attack Iran if they launched a nuclear attack on Israel. No, it is not.

Having said that, I'm not writing about the endless Obama-Clinton war for many reasons, including the fact that I've long assumed that it's over and that Obama will be the nominee. What's the point in jumping into that screeching melee that the entire American political class is already chattering about? I try and write about things where I think what I do can have some impact or where it's offering something new. Most people interested in the Obama-Clinton war are interested because they're immovable partisans of one or the other and only want commentary to boost their side. I don't really think any difference can be made by writing about it.

-McCain's contorted torture position is no real surprise. After all, he probably has some rather ambivalent feelings about the benefits of "enhanced interrogation." On one hand, it must have really sucked being tortured as a POW in Vietnam. On the other hand, it worked. Not only did John McCain make an anti-American propaganda film, but the stalwart McCain also tried to kill himself. If such a hero can be turned yellow with a few turns of the thumb screw, it must not be all bad, right?-

Just a fantasy but, it would be interesting to see him squirm if anyone in the officially-approved media actually raised the question of his patriotism and perhaps his mental health in light of his participation in this alleged film and supposed suicide attempt. Is there a video available, BTW?

Anyone have any links to any of this?