Site Presented By
Sunday, Nov 8, 2009
"Someone should alert the numerous waterboarding Japanese leaders and soliders whom we convicted of torture in post-World War II war crimes trials -- among many others who were punished for similar offenses -- that what they did merely "bordered on torture."
Of course, we don't do it to torture; that's the big difference between us and our enemies. When we torture people, spie on them and bomb them to ha-jesus, we're doing it for humanitarian reasons with the utmost care to spare suffering and human life, no matter how much suffering is caused, or how many human lives taken. And, of course, freedom. And fries.
One note, however. It would be nice to see something post-election from Johnsen; people's beliefs, ethics and committments to the rule of law have an odd tendency to wither once they are in a position to do something about it.
Except for Hillary, I have been very pleased with Obama's appointments. He has been very pragmatic.
They want someone beholden to them, whom they can control, and making sure disclosures don't get out of hand
Is this an Obama shot across their bow? If so, it will be an interesting showdown. They're a bit out of practice with the 'control' thing, aren't they?
Okay, go ahead and destroy my fantasy! ;-}
p.s. Jebbie - OH!
Writes Gideon Levy in Haaretz today:
The legend, lest it be a true story, tells of how the late mathematician, Professor Haim Hanani, asked his students at the Technion to draw up a plan for constructing a pipe to transport blood from Haifa to Eilat. The obedient students did as they were told. Using logarithmic rulers, they sketched the design for a sophisticated pipeline. They meticulously planned its route, taking into account the landscape's topography, the possibility of corrosion, the pipe's diameter and the flow calibration. When they presented their final product, the professor rendered his judgment: You failed. None of you asked why we need such a pipe, whose blood will fill it, and why it is flowing in the first place.
Read rest here:
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1052348.html
or click sig
Well, I do anyway. I can't read little ittsy bitsy letters anymore.
Same here, my friend. Now, I know this works with Firefox and have no idea whether it does with Adobe, but when reading blogs I hit Ctrl w/ the + sign until it eventually gets large enough for me to read. (Ctrl w/ the - sign, by the same token, reduces print size.)
with Bush's CIA. Can I be the new director?
Jesus on a stick.
But having one in charge of the Criminal Division would be a damned sight better. I want to see the bastards prosecuted, not just overruled.
when reading blogs I hit Ctrl w/ the + sign until it eventually gets large enough for me to read.-- -Mona
The internet has a way to deal with the sentiment of "Don't trust anyone over thirty". It gives them Ctrl w/ the + sigh". Very civil. Wouldn't you say?
I want blood on the floor.
As for Panetta, I've never warmed to him but the fact that his nomination brings this: "Rockefeller "thinks very highly of Panetta," the aide said. "But he's puzzled by the selection."
Anything that puzzles Rockefeller is gold to me.
Is an enemy that will spill his guts without torture worth being afraid of?
If an enemy will betray his cause without torture, doesn't that mean we have the wrong person?
Don't we have to torture in order to justify the concessions we have made at home?
Wow, two major news outlets in two days. The press is really in neocon heaven!
My guess? This guy finished his shredding before the others, so he has time to relax.
Quote:
"Where is the outrage, the public outcry?!"
__________________________________________________________
Americans have no moral outrage as they have no morals (although it is a nation of undeniable pandemic mental illness).
To be outraged, you have to believe in something (other than buying stuff) ..... you must have unshakable ethical convictions which take precedence over every other area of life.
I contend that americans have become amoral ........excusing their behavior behind the guise of "situational ethics" ...... all the while easily neutralized and manipulated thru fear (of the loss of their own "sense of self").
"If it costs me anything, forget asking."
Too late they may realize that the interests of the collective is the true interests of the individual.
It seems that the rule by which Glenn rates an obama pick as impressive is when that pick opposes Bush.
Given the fact that;
1) one of obama's picks (Big Bill Richardson) has already withdrawn because of corruption charges.
2) Another, rahmboy emanuel, is buddy buddy with the skunk of the month, democrat governor blago (can't wait for more details about all of the means by which pols get payoffs). . . Has rahmboy resigned from his house seat yet? or is he still hanging on, in case obama fires him?
3) Eric (smash-in-the-door-and-take-the-kid-at-gunpoint) Holder, who will be grilled about his role in selling pardons out of the white house (unless the democrats prevent the republicans from asking questions), is likely to be a goner.
But despite these guys being under the gun before they even got going, Glenn is talking about obama's impressive picks.
Tell me obama made great picks, like Leon Panetta, four years from now, when we have suffered no terrorist attacks. I hope you have the opportunity to rub my nose in it.
Future Vice President, Joe Biden, doesn't think that will happen.
The proof in the puddin', as always, is in the eatin'... but I concur that this is a heartening sign.
For now, I'm just happy to come to a comments thread that's not been trolled to a fare-thee-well.
Jebbie, if you haven't picked a ToD yet... I nominate Nobody. With profound relief.
n/t
Who cares what Feinstein thinks? She has been a disgrace, just like Jane Harmon and Rockefeller. Maybe that is Obama's message. He's not as soft as it may appear. Good for him. Give the toadies the elbow they're earned.
As for those who say Panetta is unqualified, that's a bunch of bunk. I've never been a Clinton fan so that pedigree means little to me, but Panetta knows the ropes inside and out. This nonsense that only super-secret-insiders can run security is Bush propaganda designed to scare everyone into shutting up and asking no questions.
Yeah, that worked out great.
Much of the initial coverage about Fort Hood turned out to be wrong. Is there anything wrong with that?
The accountability imposed by another country for the CIA's kidnapping and torture reveals much about our own.
Fox News' morning show plays to type, talking about whether Muslims in the Army should face "special debriefings"
The survivor and author is upset about comparisons some on the right are making to genocide
Once seen as a lunatic fringe, reactionary anti-women groups are courting respectability
Salon headlines in your mailbox
