First they had hired "civilians" beat him with clubs and rubber hose until his ribs broke. Then they put a sleeping bag over his head, tied it with wire, put him on a board and sat on his chest (remember those broken ribs?). Then they covered his mouth so he couldn't speak until he suffocated.
It sounds horrific but dont worry, those were only "stress positions", all approved by President Cheney.
Even though it turns my stomach and I believe that government torture is antithetical to our Constitution and the rule of law not to mention the Bill of Rights, the President says that the ends justify the means. These terrorists are nasty so we need to be nasty too. So we tried secret abductions, imprisonment without charges or trials, and torture as well as spying without a warrant. From the Spanish Inquisition to Nazi Germany, that kind of government power is terrifying, no question.
If we "need" to do this kind of stuff, i ask you if it is working? We have become a despicable abductor and torturer but are we winning the war because of it? Is this stuff getting us crucial intelligence that is stopping a "bomb from destroying a US city"? As far as i can see, the answer is n-fucking-o. We have tossed out human rights, we are even spying on our own people without a warrant and we are still NOT WINNING THE WAR.
President Cheney dismissed the insurgents as rag-tag holdouts (although i believe he has only been to Iraq twice) just as Rumsfeld joked about the looters stealing the same vase over and over again for the cameras. Since that time the Iraqi terrorists (who we call insurgents for some reason) have gotten stronger, bolder and more lethal every month. On New Years day alone, they carried out 12 bombings. This month they also put on uniforms and blew up a high-security police station. We keep losing helicopters and bringing home wounded soldiers for a life-time of disability benefits. We have been sending troops over there for TWO years and what do we have to show for it? If we pulled out now Iraq would implode and people dont even think, let alone talk, about Afghanistan anymore. Whether or not it was right to invade Iraq, we did invade and we have done a terrible job of it.
To be honest, i just cannot understand why Republicans have such a strong reputation for defense!?? At least John Kerry actually went to Vietnam - none of our leaders in the White House have any military experience except maybe in video games. Not Cheney, not Rumsfeld, not Wolfowitz, not Bush, not Rice, not Rove. Zippo (except for Powell who couldn't seem to wait to get out of there.) Instead we have Duke Cunningham admitting that he took millions of dollars in bribes to keep the defense contracts rolling and you have total failure in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Republicans are tough on defense? These guys SUCK at keeping us safe. The only thing they seem to be good at is spending MONEY on defense, and doing so without even the most rudimentary return on investment or accountability measures.
This week we have a kidnapped journalist, threats from the Taliban (the Taliban? We didnt accomplish that mission either?) and another video/threat from Osama Bin Laden. Oh sure, Republican President's captured Grenada, imprisoned Noriega and we got Saddam but the guy who ACTUALLY ATTACKED us on 9/11 still walks free as a bird. Instead of getting him, our defense heroes go after "environmental terrorists" who burned some shit in Vail, CO. Are you kidding me? Vail?
For almost 5 years now, we have tried to be meaner than they are and it is not working. (Which should be no surprise since it hasnt worked for Israel for the past 30 years.) For such a religious country, I shouldnt have to tell people that you cannot kill your way into Heaven any more than you can torture and kill your way to peace.
For God's sake people, the world is watching us and it is time to change strategy and try something else.
If you voted for Bush in 2004, you share the praise and blame for this administration. Are you happy with the results? Are you pleased with the Federal government trumping State governments to control our personal lives? Do you believe in fiscal responsibility and oppose deficit spending? Are you proud of one Republican indictment and corruption scandal after another? Do you really think Jesus would approve of imprisoning innocent people and torture? If you arent happy, write the President and tell him how you feel. As we saw by the demonstrations against invading Iraq, this administration only listens to donors and their voting block so speak to them.
Things are going very wrong in our country. How bad does it have to get before the people of all political parties do something about it? Im sorry for the rant but there are few issues that are more serious - this is life and death for thousands of human beings not to mention a debt burden that may cripple our economy.
