Fighting To Stop Torture

OK, enough double-talk and obfuscations from the Republicans. Let's get it out in the open: who believes the United States should never use torture, and who does not?

No more statements like the typical Republican response, "We won't comment on specific procedures we may or may not do." Let's get specific and show everyone what makes America America: We don't torture, and waterboarding is torture.

I opposed Judge Mukasey's nomination because of his refusal to take a stand on whether or not waterboarding is torture.

But he said that if Congress passed a law that made it clear where we stood on this reprehensible practice, he'd enforce it. So, here we go: let's define waterboarding as torture once and for all.

I'm a cosponsor of Sen. Kennedy's bill that defines a wide variety of specific things as torture, including waterboarding. It's another reminder why I am so proud to be Ted's colleague. But it's also another reminder that those who suggest there's nothing we can do to stop a run-away executive are just dead wrong - if we've got the courage of our convictions.

But, like everything we try to do, we're going to have to ram it past the opposition of some Roadblock Republicans, and I'll probably need your help.

Listen to veterans who know the importance of the Geneva Conventions prohibitions on torture to our soldiers on the battlefield. Listen to what John McCain says about torture. It's a vital dividing line between civilization and barbarism, even in the worst of war. A country can't cross that line without suffering grave harm, from increased danger to its soldiers to a lessening of moral authority in the world. There are some dividing lines of right and wrong that simply should not be crossed, and torture is one bright one. And I'm determined to do all I can to keep our country on the right side of that line.

In an Administration where Attorney Generals have seemed conveniently unsure of what constitutes torture, let's give the next Attorney General a law that leaves no doubts in anyone's minds. Let's bring all of the United States government under the Army Field Manual's directives, and specifically define as torture a series of actions and techniques, such as waterboarding, mock executions, beating or "other forms of physical pain to an individual", and a number of others.

The sad truth is that we need to do this when you have an Administration that has blurred the lines of torture and a Vice President who lobbied for it. It's time to make the Administration hear the voice of the American people saying, "We believe this is wrong, and we won't have this done in our name."

I set up a petition on my website where you say tell Congress that you believe that torture isn't just immoral, it should be illegal. I included a place where you could put your own thoughts on why you believe this so strongly. We should all add our voice and say, "Not in our name!" So, click here to add your name to the list of Americans who are saying just that, "There will be no torture in my name."

But that's not the end; this will be a long legislative fight, and this is not just a petition, this is the beginning of a campaign to make this happen. So I'll be keeping in touch with you, letting you know about more opportunities to make a difference, from calling into the offices of your Senators or Representatives to writing letters to the editors of your local paper and much more.

This is not going to be an easy fight. The Roadblock Republicans are well practiced in their methods of obstruction and fear on these issues, and they'll be pulling out all the stops on this one, I'm sure. (The only time they seem to want to talk about Osama bin Laden is when they're trying to defend actions like this, so I'm sure we'll hear lots of scaremongering throughout this fight. We'll need your help to get this done.)

It's time to help put our country on record: torture is against the bedrock morals of this country, and we won't stand for the use of it in our name.

Comments

[Kabir]

impeach-Impeach-IMPEACH!

[mistyroses]

Go for it, Senator Kerry. I supported you in 2004 and still do. There is no fine definition here about torture. Do we succomb to the level of barbarians? Or maintain a civilized approach to warfare? This Mukasey vote is troubling me. Depending on Congress to do something after the fact of his confirmation is not productive, given the administration we have. I will sign your petition, sir. Thank you for your courage and intelligence.

[inthenitemare]

I must agree with most of the other posters, this is not a case of defining "waterboarding" as torture or of the republican obstructionists.

We already know that waterboarding is torture and torture is illegal and we know what Jerks the republicans are when it comes to passing meaningful legislation.

I've signed the petitions and made the phone calls, buts it's had no effect over our own Dem party caving (Feinstein & Schumer this means you) every single time to the President and his criminal party.

Trying so hard not to be painted as cowards, but that's exactly what you look like to your
own party. A bunch of cowards

[racom]

OK gang, we should all listen to this man, well all demos, about 'double-talk and obfuscations'. They know of what they speak, real authorities!

[scooperss]

Stop talking and filibuster.

[Bocababs]

Thank you Senator Kerry....I also supported you in 2004. Keep up all the good work that you do.

[shriek]

Thanks, Dubya, for introducing "waterboarding" into our everyday lexicon! And I thought it was something from the Middle Ages. Silly me.

[dantanna]

Senator, can you explain why there is a need for more laws to "clarify" what is torture and what is not? Our goverment prosecuted people for using waterboading because it was uncostitutional. Why was this clear 100 years ago and not now? Instead, you should spend your energy to push puppet Reid to start impeachment proceedures on VP cheney. You guys have failed us in confronting this president who with an approval rate in the low 30's still runs the congress as he did when republicans were in "power". the least you could do is to start investigating the VP's office and the best way for you to do that is through impeachment. But again I am just one voter and what do you care.

[sofia]

OK, no double talk, Sen Kerry. I supported you and respect you but if you would not impeach this administration, very little else matters. With every passing day, the Bush crime family is doing more harm to this country. Why don't you and the other DEMs fight to stop Bush from torturing US???? Everything else will fall into place!

[slg]

If you need to define torture you're looking for permission to torture. War does this to people. Remember Harvey in Butch and the Kid?

"Rules? In a knife fight?"

Make Peace on War.

[invisihand]

The USA has sunk to an unbelievable low by even having this discussion about a technique that clearly is torture. This bill is a waste of time.

Note to Congress: Grow a spine - stop enabling the Bush regime and start hammering them.

[coonce]

Good for you Senator. If only other Democrats were true believers would stand up.

Coonsey's View
http://www.freewebs.com/coonsey/

[kellygrrrl]

So do we need to pass a law that clearly states that elected officials represent the people they elect?

Have we somehow ommitted that? Do we need to clarify?

I am so disgusted that all the politicians seem to be looking after their own interests and openly disregarding the will of the People.

[CriminallySane]

Senator, you're a good man. I worked for you in 2004, met you a few times, and still respect you.

You are a Senator, and you have the ability to place a hold on Mukasey's nomination, forestalling a floor vote. Use that. No AG, no movement on anything any longer.

First, put on the brakes, then turn...

[BeamMeUpScotty]

If 911 had not happened, torturing radical Muslims would be repugnant to most. But 911 did happen. People are far more repulsed by the loss of innocent life than whether we torture people who want ALL non Muslims dead.