Confusion over Anti-Terror Laws
By Felicia (Fee) Benamon (11/21/05)
What is the response from some in our government to violent individuals who want to overtake peaceful societies, and cause harm to our citizens? Why, we must show that we aren't the "bad guys", that we don't participate in torture.
Why are we so concerned about how others perceive our actions? This is a war! No, the United States is not an evil, oppressive regime that gains pleasure in the torture of another human being. We value life, we extend a helping hand across the world, and we fight back when we are attacked. We are also known to step in to help other nations that are suffering from oppressive dictatorships. We are an advocate for human rights across this world. We would NEVER back the practice of blatant torture.
Recently, Senator John McCain (R-AZ) has proposed an Amendment to the Defense Authorization Bill which would ban torture of captured terror suspects. I understand the fact that Senator McCain was himself a POW during the Vietnam war and has gone through the horror of torture, but the tactics used by the U.S. to extract information from detainees today doesn't come close to what POW's experienced during the Vietnam war. Mr. McCain should have faith in President Bush that he will do what is necessary to extract information from terror suspects without the use of torture. What is torture exactly? If we are talking about waterboarding (simulated drowning), or sleep deprivation, that hardly qualifies as torture. Recruits in training with our Armed Forces go through sleep deprivation at some point! Terrorists never had it so good under our care! Just let an American or foreigner get captured by a terrorist group, I'll bet the conditions would be far worse!
Why is this such a priority?! Is Sen. McCain more concerned about protecting the American public, or is he more concerned about terrorists' rights? Because the American public isn't concerned about how the U.S. conducts its interrogations against the enemy as long as we do not experience another 911 style attack, or worse. Terrorists or terror suspects are not covered under the Geneva Conventions. Whatever tactics we are using to prevent further attacks on our country, is obviously working. There is no need to water down our methods of dealing with the enemy. Americans are not a sadistic people, we just want justice. I think we are lenient enough; mercy is truly extended to terror suspects under our supervision.
Tony Blair's fight
Our tough friend from across the ocean, British Prime Minister Tony Blair, has had problems of his own. Blair was overwhelmingly defeated in a recent vote in the House of Commons to allow police to hold terror suspects for without charge up to 90 days.
London (CNSNews.com):
After Blair's defeat, the Conservative Party said the prime minister's "authority has been diminished almost to vanishing point" and he should "consider his position."
But Blair told the BBC he would not resign despite enduring his largest defeat in parliament since being elected in 1997.
He said that he couldn't understand how members of his party could put the civil rights of a minority ahead of the safety of society. Despite the setback, he contended that he was proud of his actions.
"Sometimes it's better to lose doing the right thing than to win doing the wrong thing."
(See link: Blair Won't Resign Despite Blow Over Terror Law)
His critics appear to engage in partisan politics rather than remaining concerned with keeping British citizens safe. The situation is the same here in America. Too many of our leaders are playing politics instead of focusing on our efforts to win this war. And it is crucial that we win.
Not the time to play nice
We've seen terrorist attacks continue not only in Iraq, but in Jordan recently. Arab leaders who recognize terrorists for what they are, the face of evil, are fed up... including the people of Jordan. France, Belgium, Germany, countries who were in relative peace, now deal with out of control rioters whose main goal is to cause a disruption in society, and government and make the government bend to their wishes. The only appropriate response is to meet the threat head on. If the people of Jordan are upset enough to protest and to call for the death of Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, the mastermind behind the Jordan bombings, why do we worry so much about terrorists' rights and how they will be treated? I would imagine the people of Jordan would not be as accommodating with terror suspects as we have been.
We have not had another terrorist attack on American soil simply because of the great efforts of the Bush Administration to reign in terror suspects, by extracting information from them, disrupting terror networks, thwarting terrorist plots, and bringing terrorists to justice. No deviation from our methods are necessary at this time, if we are to continue to be successful. We need to give our leaders and troops full reign to do what is necessary to fight the war on terror. America has shown its soft heart many times, but now is not the time. We must be strong on terror, not willing to give in or placate the enemy.
Related Reading:
Poll: Americans Back Tough Interrogations:
http://newsmax.com/scripts/printer_friendly.pl?page=http://newsmax.com/archives/ic/2005/11/13/144852.shtml
Blair Won't Resign Despite Blow Over Terror Law:
http://www.cnsnews.com/ForeignBureaus/archive/200511/FOR20051110c.html
Arab Leaders Condemn Terror Attack in Jordan:
http://www.cnsnews.com/ViewForeignBureaus.asp?Page=>>>ForeignBureaus>>>archive>>>200511>>>FOR20051110e.html
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