Student scholars urge Bush to ban use of torture, present letter to him at WH

[babylonsister]

http://www.twincities.com/national/ci_6226172

Scholars urge Bush to ban use of torture
The Associated Press
Article Last Updated: 06/25/2007 05:36:32 PM CDT


WASHINGTON—President Bush was presented with a letter Monday signed by 50 high school seniors in the Presidential Scholars program urging a halt to "violations of the human rights" of terror suspects held by the United States.

The White House said Bush had not expected the letter but took a moment to read it and talk with a young woman who handed it to him.

"The president enjoyed a visit with the students, accepted the letter and upon reading it let the student know that the United States does not torture and that we value human rights," deputy press secretary Dana Perino said.

The students had been invited to the East Room to hear the president speak about his effort to win congressional reauthorization of his education law known as No Child Left Behind.

The handwritten letter said the students "believe we have a responsibility to voice our convictions."

"We do not want America to represent torture. We urge you to do all in your power to stop violations of the human rights of detainees, to cease illegal renditions, and to apply the Geneva Convention to all detainees, including those designated enemy combatants," the letter said.

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[frogcycle]

1. so bush lies to children just as glibly as he does to adults n/t

[liberaldemocrat7]

11. Very good, those students exposed the boy king as a torture authorizer.

Now that appears very unexpected what they did. Doesn't the Republiklan party screen those who come to their photo opportunities and ceremonies?

[frogcycle]

12. KO gave them a big shout out tonight

[Lars39]

2. I'm so impressed...good for those high schoolers!

This meeting will be one for the history books(barring Lynn Cheney,of course).

[proud2BlibKansan]

3. That's great but I wish they would have lobbied against NCLB instead

[leftchick]

4. pic

I sure hope they all signed it.




U.S. President George W. Bush stands in front of Presidential Scholars as he speaks in favor of a passage by Congress of the No Child Left Behind Reauthorization Act in the East Room of the White House in Washington, June 25, 2007.

[Solly Mack]

5. Yes, America does torture. America tortures. America intentionally

harms and hurts people - and sometimes those people die. America intentionally and methodically terrifies people with pain and the threat of death. America engages in acts of brutality against people. America deliberately and with well-crafted precision causes people pain and great suffering.

America also lies about what it does.

As long as America lies about it - America will be a nation that can never redeem itself.

Pretending it doesn't happen won't make it go away.

Time won't change it.

[C_U_L8R]

6. I guess they didn't hear

the Supreme Court told students to STFU today

Good for them for speaking out !!!!!!!!!!!!!

[VP505]

7. Bet it would

have been interesting to be a fly on the wall in the Oval Office after they left to hear what comments shrub made about that letter.

[Mist]

8. Those Presidential Scholars are giving * the hairy eye. Love it. nt

[Miss Chybil]

9. The U.S. doesn't torture.

This administration just hurts people really bad until they tell them something they want to hear.

[AnnieBW]

10. Good for them!

These kids are getting a valuable lesson in politics - and not just from the Presidential Scholars program! :applause: