"This Government Does Not Torture People"

Many aspects of the devastating war in Iraq have compelled our attention - we agonize over the rising body count among our own forces, we express our rage over the staggering reports of innocent Iraqi dead, we read between the lines of official statements to glean the larger motive behind the invasion.

Another less visible battleground in the Iraq war has been the American Constitution. Under the broad mantle of national security, the Bush Administration has claimed exemption from the protections enshrined in our Constitution and defined in International agreements. Prisoners continue to be detained for years without acknowledgment of their whereabouts, without counsel. They are subjected to extremes of deprivation and torture.

There is a growing consensus that the harrowing images of Abu Ghraib did great trauma to our national psyche - and was one of the steepest falls from grace in our nation's history.

Like everyone else, I had seen the images that came out of Abu Ghraib and was shocked and saddened by them. And like so many others, I wondered how could people, particularly Americans, treat others so inhumanely? I initially set out to do a documentary about why ordinary people commit extraordinary acts of evil. Were the people who committed these acts psychopaths? Or were they the sweet kids next door behaving badly in times of war?

But as I began to do research for a documentary film and get more and more access to the people on the front lines, the people who were at Abu Ghraib in the fall of 2003 when the majority of these abuses took place, (I ended up interviewing well over a dozen people who were involved in the abuse) I heard the same thing over and over again "We did it because we were told to do it by people up the chain of command." Indeed, despite the Administration's denials, and assertions that Abu Ghraib "was the work of nine bad apples on the night shift," my documentary film, Ghosts of Abu Ghraib makes it clear that responsibility for the abuses at the prison goes right to the top.

So I was not surprised last week when White House press secretary, Dana Perino, denied that secret memos in 2005 written by the Justice Department sanctioned torture. "Regardless of where we are, we do not torture anybody," Perino said.

The 2005 memos were, according to the New York Times, "an expansive endorsement of the harshest interrogation techniques ever used by the Central Intelligence Agency." But because the Bush administration claimed these methods approved for use by the CIA - extreme temperatures of heat and cold, water-boarding or simulated drownings, prolonged stress positions and isolation - were "not torture" they had the deniability they are still claiming. "U.S. policy is not to torture -- and we do not." (It didn't matter that other nations had been calling these same techniques torture for decades.)

The Bush administration's narrower definition, unrecognized anywhere else, defined torture as "severe physical or mental pain or suffering" that results in significant harm of significant duration, lasting "months or even years." Still, when pushed for specifics about what the White House considers allowable in "getting information" U. S. officials can't or won't say.

The CIA memos revealed last week are very consistent with the horrendous torture policies the Administration put into effect after 9/11, and these practices continue to protected by legislation such as the Military Commissions Act which denies military detainees rights to due process granted under habeas corpus and allows the president alone to define what is and what is not torture.

Just last Friday, President Bush said, "this government does not torture people . . . we stick to U.S. law and our international obligations." This is familiar rhetoric. We heard him say the same thing in the wake of Abu Ghraib. We shouldn't have believed him then, and we shouldn't trust him now.

I am saddened and angered that America's standing as a global leader in human rights and a country with a deep and abiding respect for the rule of law continues to be undermined by the pro-torture policies of the Bush Administration. And many Americans agree: an essential part of winning the war on terrorism and protecting our country for the future is safeguarding the ideals and principles that Americans hold dear: that torture is not acceptable and the law must be respected.

Unfortunately, as our bedrock principles have eroded, I believe our legislators have been compliant, the media timid, and the courts mostly rudderless and conflicted. We are left - as so often in times of national crisis - to depend on individuals who have the courage to speak out.

In order to change the tide, it is essential that people get involved. For my part, I have initiated the Ghosts of Abu Ghraib Campaign . This is a national audience engagement and action initiative aimed at ending US torture policy. Working Films is directing the Campaign and we have partnered with Human Rights First , the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) , Amnesty International , and the National Religious Campaign Against Torture

The Campaign launches on October 17, 2007 - the one year anniversary of passage of the Military Commissions Act and little more than 12 months away from the next presidential election.

Of course, given the state of things and the actions, both past and present, of the current administration, the upcoming presidential race figures largely in the Ghosts of Abu Ghraib Campaign.

We are inviting our audiences to support the view that our next president must stand against torture in accordance with the Geneva Convention. Furthermore, we will demand that the Senate Judiciary Committee seek a commitment from the next Attorney General to reject torture and all the policies emanating from the Administration's opinions permitting it. Additionally, we will pressure Congress to act to ensure transparency relating to detainee treatment and that all U.S. personnel abide by a single standard of humane treatment.

The ACLU will use the film in roughly 1,000 key districts, not to push for any one candidate but to engage citizens to make torture a platform election issue. Amnesty International will kick off an 86-day campaign of organizing and protests starting with the anniversary of the Military Commissions Act and ending with anniversary of the first prisoner held at Guantanamo Bay. Human Rights First will screen Ghosts of Abu Ghraib in their "Elect to End Torture '08" campaign, which advocates the need for a president who won't allow torture to happen again in America's name. The National Religious Campaign Against Torture is organizing faith-based action-centered screenings in over 1,000 congregations nationwide the week of October 26th.

It is my hope that the film and these targeted actions will help to eliminate the policies and legislation sanctioning torture, that this initiative will contribute to more humane treatment for military detainees and will help to restore America's standing as a country committed to human rights, human dignity and the rule of law.

Comments

[visionar7]

No we don't do it we outsource it either to Blackwater and companies like them....or the cia or blackwater flys them to someplace like Egypt where it's legal to torture...Bush who has been fighting tooth and nail to keep torture methods harsh...is now saying we don't do that sort of thing...who is he kidding. Thats like saying we don't hire mercenaries as soldiers

[darker]

Bush is a BAD IDEA "elected" by Americans.

It is a bad idea to [supposedly] elect a President who tears wings off flies, organizes brutal frat-hazings and maked THAT his policy in dealing with all else in life.

Don't elect brutes, criminals and "stupids".

[Mack20]

I really get a kick out of you panty waist liberals. Not one word about the scores of westerners beheaded by your poor, innocent, freedom fighters. We put skivvies on their heads. Strip them naked and have guard dogs bark at them. We play loud music in order to keep them from sleeping. How cruel!

Otherwise these prisoners are given a Koran and are allowed to pray five times a day. They probably eat better in captivity than not. And of course they have our sympathetic, liberal press and slimy lawyers trying to help their release so they can return to wherever and continue to kill Americans.

Bottom line is you traitors are rooting against our military and our country in this war against Islamofacism. You’re the same bunch that believed Hitler 70 years ago. Your appeasement caused over 20 million deaths. Your the same group that spit on our soldiers at the airport and called them baby killers. And the same bunch of a-holes that hated Reagan and loved Gorbachev.

You people should be ashamed of yourselves. If you hate our country this much, then get the hell out now! You don’t deserve to be Americans. You make me sick!

[white mende man]

It is "Americans" like you that are destroying this great country and YOU! make me sick!

[MsLiz]

We are supposed to be better than they are.

[lisakaz]

Dipstick, the Hitler apologists were conservatives -- like PRESCOTT BUSH! Why don't you google what he did during the 30s and early 40s? Second, you are the traitor because you sell out the US Constitution to "fight" these so-called Islamofascists, who btw haven't exactly invaded. The fascism is right here and it's those who run this government with a flag and a cross.

[janmB]

Jimmy Carter has no doubt that torture was used and therefore I have no doubts either .
Wise ol man says ----we don't NEED to go to war with IRAN. I agree.
After all N Korea HAS nukes and Iran hasn't so might it be again all about the OIL and ISRAEL ?

[Mack20]

The entire world can thank Jimmy Carter for modern day Iran. I hope he is happy.

[DC]

Mack20, learn your history. The mess the US helped create in Iran started when we sent in agents to undermine a Democratically elected leader and put our own Despotic Thug and Puppet.

The blowback of all of that was that an inevitable revolution took hold (no one saw it coming) and religious extremist took control of the country. Bound to happen no matter who was in the White House at the time. The seeds of that were planted decades before.

Sort of like the Religious extremist in this country using politics to get control.

[1differentdrummer]

Let's see, Mack20, Jimmy Carter is to blame for the coup de etat that overthrew Iran's Prime Minister Mohhamad Mossadegh in 1953? How did that work, since Eisenhower was president and the CIA worked Operation Ajax? Carter did this from Georgia? Wow. The US and Britain were stealing Iran's oil then and Mossadegh opposed that, so we helped overthrow him. Who's to blame for what? Kermit Roosevelt, TR's son, worked for Ike. Check your facts.

[white mende man]

I was a Reagan Republican in the time of Jimmy Carter and I can safely say Jimmy Carter is a far better man than George W. Bush would ever be.

[stoptheabuse]

Rory,

Thank you for the voice of truth. You have undertaken a meaningful task that will have an effect on people for generations to come. You have also given a voice to those of us that were there and saw first hand the lies and abuse that went on and undoubtly still goes on. Our President stated that "We do not torture". One does not have to look to far for proof otherwise. Al Jamadi, was tortured and killed at Abu Ghraib. The soldiers who took the pictures of his body were later charged with abuse and desicration of the body. No one that actually tortured and killed him was ever brought to justice. This is only one count in a long line of lies and deception that our nation has chosen to believe or be indifferent to. I stand with you Rory and challenge others to have the courage and follow through to help create change. We must call our elected officials and demand that those responsible for torture and deception are held accountable. Our Nations integrity depends on the actions of not only our Policy Makers but our citizens as well. Lets all do our part to demand change and stop all TORTURE and ABUSE.

Rory, keep up the great work.

Ken

[Archie1955]

Thank you for your concern and actions on the part of decency and the American way. you will be actively opposed by the forces of evil in this world and your own country as typified by some of the bloggers above. Understand Areacode 631? The likes of those cretins will be at your heels but you will also be helped and supported by people who understand and uphold decency and human rights so don't be discouraged and fight on.

[areacode631]

Holy crap, Another useless elitist Kennedy putting their 2 cents in. Hasn't your family done enough damage to this country, especially the bridge runner from Massachusetts? I just wish you and your entire family would just go away and take Arnold with you!

[JessWonderin]

OMFG . . . a great point filled with relevant information in a educated and documented manner - NOT - I believe AMERICA would be better served by the Kennedy Family Political Legacy that towers above the "Bush Business" that has destroyed American integrity, law, economy, public health and world standing for decades to come . . . and do you want to compare "driving"? How about Laura's solution to a relationship gone bad . . . or Shrubs DUIs that "disappeared"?

[splashy]

More power to you! I'm with you, and have been against the torture from the first time I heard about it.

[Mack20]

Are you also against beheadings, the stoning of innocent women and the wanton murder of helpless civilians in the name of Allah? I suppose the nearly 3,000 murdered victims at the WTC have no meaning for you and your liberal pals. Heck, you nearly forgot about it, huh? Well I have not forgotten it. You people can choose to focus on torture and the poor Arab victims we helped create. If we could only talk to them! Maybe we could understand them and convince them we are nice and mean them no harm.

Bull crap. If we can obtain a sliver of information that will save one American life, then torture is worthwhile. The thing is we have gathered loads of information and have saved thousands of lives. That does not matter, though. To you people, one poor, downtrodden Arab terrorist is worth more than any number of innocent American citizens.

[1differentdrummer]

Thank you Mr. Rove. We needed that fine brown mist.

[Collielady]

Check your "facts". We have not gathered loads of information that has saved thousands of lives. Not even a few.

You have drank the neocon Kool-aid. It's so easy to buy into that simple minded crap. Rah, rah.

Critical thinking - the other national deficit.

[rboylern]

If indeed our government does not torture people, then we can assume it is also true that the moon is made of green cheese.

[1differentdrummer]

...Perino said. (Cue laugh track.)

[aisling]

Rory Kennedy's admirable efforts to stop the atrocious,­heartbreak­ing acts of torture,committed by Americans during the period following 9/11, addresses my own profound concerns. I would like to know how I can view her film when it comes to NYC,NY. Why not get"Human Rights Watch" involved as well? Thay are a very reputable group who have a strong film festival. It's time to impeach George Bush and Dick Cheney. This action should have gained massive support throughout the country and in Congress by now. How sad we have lost the courage and sense of civic responsibility to impeach such officials who are deeply involved in criminal acts.

[Mack20]

Maybe we should torture them? Would that make you happy?

[Laguna]

"This Government does not torture people" will go down in history by George W. Bush's name just like "I am not a crook" is linked to Richard Milhous Nixon. HA! The government does not torture people--tell that to Arar, a Canadian citizen who was detained at JFK airport in New York and sent to Syria for nine months to be tortured on our behalf. The U.S. never admitted its mistake, but the Canadian Government awarded him $14 million dollars in compensation. George W. Bush is a bald-faced liar!

[usapatriot1973]

The most recent Supreme Court decision is a disgrace to everything this country stands for. "Our" government is the biggest hypocrite on the face of the planet.

[Louzeeann]

Go git em Rory. It is the biggest mystery to
me why we can't get Cheney on war crimes, or
bucking all the laws of the U.S., for which all the rest of us stand??? If Bush/Cheney
are allowed to walk away after all the horror they have caused in the world what does that say for America? We suck!!! Other countries will never take us seriously when we say "that's against our constitution" when our crappy leaders are ignoring the basis of what we are founded on.
REMOVE CHENEY!!! NOW!!! HOW MANY MORE DOES HE NEED TO KILL???

[dirtystrat]

"I wondered how could people, particularly Americans, treat others so inhumanely? "

Hmmm lets see. Where would I rather be kept a prisoner. Getting my neck sawed off by a dull blade in a shack in Iraq or doing the human pyramid thing in Abu Ghraib? Easy choice for me.

[Kendo Nagasaki]

What would Jesus do ?

What happened to the golden rule ?

[1differentdrummer]

Thank you Mr. Rove.

[aisling]

II could not agree with you more. I've posted a comment under my blog name, "aisling".

[blankmw]

Hear, hear. I agree with you entirely. How can we even hope to stand as some kind of beacon for hope and humanity in the world? We no longer can, with the moron we now have in the White House. The damage that this administration has caused our country will take decades to undo, if it is still even possible. Why won't our Congress do something about the crimes that this Administration has committed, and the blatant, flagrant violations it has perpetuated against our Constitution and principles?

[tbone99]

A campaign against torture is a good move.An even better move is to hold officials who promote or allow torture legally accountable by trial and imprison them with the common criminals they are, if found guilty.At the very least you will make government officials who may be tempted to make human rights expendable, think twice and consider the financial consequences and at the most you will demonstrate to the people of the world there is justice. Rory- let's start with Bush /Cheney /Rumsfield and Gonzales.

[magginkat]

Somebody please tell me.......... What will it take to get this dictator and his gang of thugs impeached, removed from office & prosecuted for the war crimes they have committed and continue to commit?

[mtburke59]

Shall we start with some Congressional leadership with guts? Pelosi defined her tenure as Speaker (which, by the way is not a cinch for her to have after the Nov 2008 elections) by pledging not to have impeachment a part of the agenda. At that point, I lost all potential for respect for her decision-making since it was obvious to many of us that such a statement enabled Bush and Cheney to continue to do whatever they wanted to do, with the total impunity we have seen. My friends and acquanitances make excuses for inaction on this and a host of other things on the basis of "not enough votes" to do anything. Twaddle! Lack of votes did not prevent the Republicans from impeaching Clinton.

Let's face it. Nothing will happen. We can shake our fists and threaten not to re-elect the Democrats who do not even try for another year and then have an election. They don't care. People are under the illusion that we will be rid of this bunch come January 2009. That is not a given. In fact, since so many are disgusted with the Democrats after giving them a chance to actually do something I will not be even a little surprised if do not vote or vote 3rd party out of their anger, giving control of the Congress back to the Republicans by splitting the vote. And don't bet on Dems winning the White House either, even if I think any one of the Democratic candidates, media-crowned as front-runner or not, is a better choice than the entire Republican herd combined.

[Collielady]

My thoughts exactly, on many of your points.

Bush and Cheney were given the blessing of the Congress to do as they pleased just as soon as Pelosi ruled out impeachment. I wonder just what it would take for Pelosi to put impeachment back on the table? Is there any crime, not already committed by this outfit, that Pelosi would act upon? What would that crime be? What could be worse than the murder of hundreds of thousands of innocent civilians?

Maybe we'd better accept the fact that impeachment will forever be a thing of the past; that from here on in any president has carte blanc to do whatever he pleases.

There is something very wrong going on in this country, something very unfamiliar.

Welcome to fascist America.

[MAGLATINA]

COURAGE, COURAGE AND COURAGE...

[Mack20]

You and your pals should wise up, grow up and thank whatever being you pray to. You have no clue what real oppression is. But yet you pretend to be victims of some imaginary dictatorial regime. You people are just a bunch of cry babies.

[JessWonderin]

fuckn' A . . . real men torture . . .