Candidates to be tutored on how to adhere to human rights in terrorism fight

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Retired military officers to brief U.S. Democratic candidates on human rights

The Associated Press
April 13, 2007

CONCORD, New Hampshire: 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 U.S. Navy's top lawyer.

Starting Friday and continuing through Sunday, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, Sen. Joe Biden, Rep. Dennis Kucinich, and former Sen. John Edwards will attend separate, hour-long meetings at Franklin Pierce Law Center, where Hutson serves as dean.

"We think it's important to talk to the candidates, one of whom may be the next president, so when they go out on the campaign trail they have the opportunity to speak from strength and a position of knowledge and familiarity," Hutson said.


http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/04/13/america/NA-GEN-US-Democrats-Military.php

[Solly Mack]

1. uh...shouldn't they already know that as Congress people?

They do pass laws that concern human rights do they not? To include such gems as the Military Commissions Act of 2006 and say...oh, I dunno..the Patriot Act?

[Kagemusha]

2. I'd say that's precisely why it's good to hear this from ex military people

The quality of the information available to them is important precisely because they're in Congress and the potential for harm by Congress is great. Why settle for second best. I hope they listen and can learn something.

[Solly Mack]

4. shouldn't they have done that prior to creating such laws as the MCA 2006

and the Patriot Act?

I'm sure those people at GTMO and various other prisons would have wanted them to

and I'm sure everyone in America who has been spied on or has gotten an FBI letter would have wanted them too as well

If you're not informed prior to making a law...maybe you shouldn't make that law until you are informed

I kinda sorta in a way want lawmakers that inform themselves prior to creating a law

course, I suppose there is something to better late than never...but then I'm not being illegally detained

[Kagemusha]

5. If all the people making laws had to be experts we wouldn't have democracy.

So shoulda, woulda, coulda... we have to deal with reality and work towards the future.

[Solly Mack]

6. LMAO It isn't about being an expert....it's about doing your job

and as a Congress person, your job IS to know and understand the laws you create...

the reality is people are being tortured and that people who are being illegally detained are being DENIED their rights by a LAW created by Congress.

It is easy for those not living that reality to say woulda coulda shoulda

I expect more from my representatives...I fully expect them to research any aspect of the law they aren't sure about BEFORE they vote..precisely because they could create a law that harms people. That's why it is important to know BEFORE...

[Kagemusha]

9. First, I don't see what your problem with their learning more in the present is.

Second, the process is sick and lots of these laws are so utterly fantastically gigantic that even congresspeople with large staffs aren't aware of everything that gets put in them, particularly when the Republicans were in charge and railroading the Democrats. I just have no desire for the perfect to be the enemy of the good - or the better. You fully expect perfection. I do not, and I want things to get better. And I will not hold lack of past perfection to be sufficient reason for people wallowing in their ignorance and remaining ignorant because of a conscious choice not to learn more about an important subject.

[Solly Mack]

10. LMAO...stop....just stop

You keep building strawmen

I didn't say anything about being an expert...you built that strawman
I didn't say anything about expecting perfection....you built that strawman
I didn't say they shouldn't learn more in the present...you built that strawman
I didn't say anything about people remaining ignorant....you built that strawman

and you'll have to tackle your own strawmen...

All I did...what you are so obviously offended by (and I think it's hilarious that you are)...is ask if such things were not something a Congress person should know and do before creating laws

If expecting a Congress person to know how not to harm human rights before making a law is considered "expecting perfection" then no fucking wonder people cheer mediocrity. :)

[Kagemusha]

11. I'm glad you find this so funny.

I think congresspeople need the damn help and the more, the better. Have a nice day.

[DCKit]

3. I thought you said "Candidates to be tortured... " at first.

But only the Dems, of course.

[RB TexLa]

7. is this after they get their daily briefing on the price of milk, bread and cookies?

[mmonk]

8. They need classes on how to behave like we did before 9/11?

Seems a little weird to me. Too weird.