Retired military officers to brief Edwards, Democratic candidates

[JohnLocke]

Retired military officers to brief Edwards, Democratic candidates
Friday, April 13, 2007
Associated Press
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CONCORD, N.H.--Four Democratic presidential candidates have agreed to attend private tutorials by retired military officers who say the war on terrorism can be won without sacrificing human rights.

The gathering, scheduled this weekend, was organized by the nonpartisan group Human Rights First and John Hutson, a retired rear admiral who served as the Navy's top lawyer. Starting Friday and continuing through Sunday, candidates will attend separate, hour-long meetings at Franklin Pierce Law Center, where Hutson serves as dean.

(...)

Several of the retired military officers said their goal was to emphasize that the United States should adhere to the Geneva Conventions when it comes to detaining and interrogating prisoners.

"There are many facets to this issue, but overshadowing all of them is a basic moral imperative to show the American people, and in fact the world, that the United States can wage and win the war on terrorism without sacrificing its overall value system and rule of law," said retired Gen. Charles Krulak, former commandant of the Marine Corps.

(...)

"This is not about our adversaries. This is about who we are," said Hoar, former head of U.S. Central Command. "We're Americans. We stand for the rights of individuals and people who are captured. We don't torture them. We don't subject them to inhumane behavior."

The retired officers said they don't want to cast the discussion in a partisan light, although many of them have been vocal critics of the Bush administration's policies.

Edwards, a former North Carolina senator, said he looked forward to having a serious discussion with the retired officials.

"The scandals of Guantanamo, Abu Ghraib, and secret prisons have tarnished our moral standing and set a dangerous precedent for repressive regimes around the world," Edwards said Friday. "The true tragedy is that, as these military leaders make clear, these steps have made us less safe, not safer."
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Read the rest here.

[Clark2008]

1. Is he going to listen this time?

A retired military officer tried to tell him in 2003 that the war in Iraq was a complete waste of time, yet, Edwards voted for it anyway.

Edwards was the ONLY Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee to vote the IWR out of committee.

[pocoloco]

2. Trying to get some of the blood off his hands.

[w4rma]

3. So few people care about the IWR, almost 5 years later, that it doesn't matter anymore. Especially

since his views have changed so drastically on it since then.

~90% of the nation was screwed in the head back then, almost a half a decade ago.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17594267/

[Adelante]

4. "it doesn't matter anymore"

Tell it to the dead :puke:

[w4rma]

5. There will be even more dead if Hillary wins the nomination.

And Clark isn't running so you should quit trashing on all the candidates in order to help clear the way for someone who isn't running (especially on 5 year old issues that very very very very few people care about anymore--especially when the one you're attacking has drastically changed his position since then).

In fact the only reason I'm responding to you is because you're sounding like a broken record harping on an issue that never has anything to do with whatever thread your posting in.

[JNelson6563]

6. Brings the term "ad nauseum" to life

Sad isn't it? Frankly it makes me envious. I wish I had the kind of time some posters seem to....

Julie

[FrenchieCat]

9. From what I can tell, it appears that you have plenty of time on your hands.....

as witnessed here and everywhere else you leave your trail!

[w4rma]

11. rude. (nt)

[Adelante]

7. And you're trying to turn a WAR into Sunday brunch

However, concerning the OP, if the candidates have to be fucking schooled in human rights and the Geneva Convention, after everything that's happened in our recent history, I am almost speechless, though not quite. It's like fucking Hollywood - the writers of "24" took the same class, but you know what, the writers of "24" aren't running for President and Commander in Chief of the United States. Why are these four candidates behaving as if they have no clue about torture? As if they have not had the guidance of retired military all along? This is a goddamned embarrassment.

[w4rma]

10. Bull. Despicable accusation. (nt)

[Sparkly]

8. "the United States should adhere to the Geneva Conventions" - No kidding

They need to be briefed on this?

"Several of the retired military officers said their goal was to emphasize that the United States should adhere to the Geneva Conventions when it comes to detaining and interrogating prisoners."

Gee, what a concept.

(Also, are we going to start hearing more of "the United States can wage and win the war on terrorism" after this?)