Bush Vows to Veto Anti-Torture Bill

[tekisui]

The House approved legislation yesterday that would bar the CIA from using waterboarding and other harsh interrogation tactics, drawing an immediate veto threat from the White House and setting up another political showdown over what constitutes torture.

The measure, approved by a largely party-line vote of 222 to 199, would require U.S. intelligence agencies to follow Army rules adopted last year that explicitly forbid waterboarding. It also would require interrogators to adhere to a strict interpretation of the Geneva Conventions on the treatment of prisoners of war. The rules, required by Congress for all Defense Department personnel, also ban sexual humiliation, "mock" executions and the use of attack dogs, and prohibit the withholding of food and medical care.

The passage of the bill, which must still win Senate approval, fulfills a promise by House Democratic leaders to seek a ban on interrogation practices that have prompted the condemnation of human rights groups and many governments around the world. It comes amid a furor over the CIA's announcement a week ago that it destroyed in 2005 videotapes showing the use of harsh interrogation tactics on two terrorism suspects.

The White House vowed to veto the measure. Limiting the CIA to interrogation techniques authorized by the Army Field Manual "would prevent the United States from conducting lawful interrogations of senior al Qaeda terrorists to obtain intelligence needed to protect Americans from attack," the Office of Management and Budget said in a statement.

more at link: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/12/13/AR2007121301288.html?hpid=topnews

We now have on record. Repukes support torture. They actively vote in favor of Torture. And the thief in chief
is going to use his Veto to protect Torturers, such as himself. This is mind boggling. That this bill is even necessary, even debated, and then Repukes voted along party lines in favor of torture! Unbelievable. If the Democrats cannot beat the Grand Ole Torture Party, we are in very serious trouble.

[Vinca]

1. At any other time in history this would be surprising. nt

[Triana]

2. But...But... But....

"we don't torture!"

:sarcasm:

[sk8rrobert2]

3. even if he doesn't veto it we can expect a signing statement

[ThatsMyBarack]

20. Welcome to DU, sk8rrobert2!

:hi: I'm a competitive figure skater myself. How about you?? :bounce:

[sk8rrobert2]

21. thx for the welcome

I am actually a senior in high school, A professional liar...no not a bush administration member :P but a magician and a future soldier in the U.S. Army

[Not_Giving_Up]

4. Follow THAT circular logic

We don't torture, but I won't put that in writing!

[tekisui]

7. His hands are filthy with blood drawn through torture.

If he weren't guilty of War Crimes, he would have no problem signing off on this.

Seriously, Nancy. Impeach this motherfucking torturing treasonous War Criminal.

Enough Already.

[bdamomma]

15. enough already is right

this disgusting regime we have is no better than Saddam. Saddam tortured people too, and now we are no better than any other country that does torture, hmmm...Saudi Arabia, China????? Sickening how this thuggish regime is still sitting in the WH, they have gotten away with so much shit, they will continue until someone stops them, but something is off the table. All these crimes will bite us all back.

[seemunkee]

5. Who defines torture?

If we are a signatory of an international treaty that bans torture does each country get to make their own definition? Isn't it spelled out in the treaty on human rights?

[tekisui]

8. It is, we are signatories already.

Congress knows that torture has occurred/is going on. Congress knows that the Charter and Treaties we have signed are being violated, along with Our Constitution.

Yet, instead of removing the War Criminal from the head of state, instead of looking at the American people through the tv and telling us in no uncertain terms that this president tortures and violates International Law, they pass bills to get vetoed.

IMPEACH!!!

[seemunkee]

11. Thank You

All this arguing about water boarding is moot. After the first photos of Abu Ghraib there shouldn't even be a discussion about right and wrong. This country has absolutely, positively tortured.
END OF FUCKING DISCUSSION.

[zabet]

6. These are not the

actions of the
America I knew and
loved. I fear there
will be blood in the
streets before we will
ever hope to see that
America again.
Sad, I am ashamed of
my country. My country
that tortures illegally,
my country that protects
those that torture, my
country that is led by a
lying, theiving warmongering
asshole that has made my
country a terrorist nation
in the eyes of the world.
My country....:cry:

[bdamomma]

17. it's horrible, these are our own domestic enemies.

they are the ones who are oppressing the people, and they need to be held accountable.

[rurallib]

9. For them it is all a TV show. It is not real

I have to think that these clowns get their beliefs and their view of reality from TV shows. I believe that has been true since Saint Ronnie. I have never seen 24 but from what I hear it seems like the hero in 24 seems to be what they emulate. And since he gets confessions on TV then we must get them from torture in real life.

[tekisui]

10. I'm pissed.

It doesn't matter what evidence they think can be obtained. The consequences of torturing have a ripple effect. It will take a long time and a lot of work to repair what America has become. Chimpy being brazen enough about it to Veto an anti-torture bill is beyond the sickening.

They want the world to know that the US tortures. They want the American Citizenry to know that the US tortures. They are sending us a very clear message, yet again: They are above the law. This War Crimes Administration ignores to laws written by Our legislators through signing statements. They violate the Constitution in the name of security. They violate International Law. No one holds them accountable.

America is dying a death of 1,000 cuts. We are bleeding, and it is by design.

[bdamomma]

18. I only wish the International community or the Hague just declare

them WAR CRIMINALS AND AGAINST HUMANITY. These guys have got to gooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!

[gollygee]

12. "prevent the US from conducting lawful interrogations"

no, it would just redefine "lawful" to what "lawful" used to mean. Waterboarding should NOT be "lawful".

[helderheid]

13. Children's health, BAD. Torture, GOOD!

[LynnTheDem]

14. George W. bUsh; the pro-torture pResident.

When Saddam did it, it was "worse than Hitler!!11!"

But torture is ok when Americans do it!


Wake the fuck up, America.

[spanone]

16. as a phony christian, mr bu$h* only wants to 'do unto others'

[zorahopkins]

19. Impeach Him! Now!

My God, if this doesn't convince the powers that be that Bush needs to be impeached, what will it take??

Impeach this torturing president.

NOW!

[Disturbed]

22. It is a Kabuki Dance. The Dems know that this will be Vetoed.

It makes Dems look good but by passing this Law. If this passed the Senate & Busholini didn't Veto, doesn't that make the past Torture Legal? It is another game. Something stinks real bad but nobody has figured out what is causing the stink.