Ventura takes shots at torture, Coleman ( "I'm ashamed of my country.")

[sabra]

Source: Star Tribune

Continuing his book promotion media tour, former Gov. Jesse Ventura today resumed his blunt criticism of the Bush administration's interrogation policies and took another shot at former Sen. Norm Coleman.

Appearing on ABC's "The View" talk show this morning, Ventura called waterboarding suspected terrorists "torture."

"If this country follows the rule of law -- which we do -- torture is against the law," he said, adding "I'm ashamed of my country."

...

"If waterboarding is OK, why can't we let our police do it?" he demanded, asking the same thing about the Oklahoma City bombers. "It only seems we waterboard Muslims."

If Ventura were president, something he has rhetorically toyed with for years, "I'd prosecute those who did it, prosecute those why ordered it and they'd all go to jail."

Read more: http://www.startribune.com/local/45299822.html?elr=KArks:DCiUHc3E7_V_nDaycUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aUU

[MADem]

1. As I said in another thread, I don't normally love that guy, but he was brilliant. nt

[ananda]

2. "It appears that Franken won ... it should end there."

nt

[Wapsie B]

3. Give 'em hell Jesse!

I don't share the disdain for Ventura that many do here. I think he's spot on with this issue.

[4_TN_TITANS]

11. He's spot on because he's BEEN waterboarded

during Navy Seal training. Don't you just love all these defenders of waterboarding who, conveniently, have never experienced it? Right, Mr. Hannity?

[Cha]

27. Like those defending anti-choice

when it's not their middle aged, ol male, white bodies.

[spiritual_gunfighter]

14. I dont either

I am not sure why there is so much Jesse hate on DU. Sure he isn't a Dem but so what, I agree with him on torture, legalization, 9/11, and loving old pro wrestling. I like em. What did he do to piss off DU? I am asking a non rhetorical question here.

[mdmc]

15. He tried to shut down A Prairie Home Companion" when he was gov..

Other then that, I like him..

[spiritual_gunfighter]

20. Actually that is fine with me n/t

[mdmc]

22. not sure why the du-hate

:shrug:
Perhaps because he is not a dem :patriot:

[LanternWaste]

28. He did seem to have quite the vendetta against Garrison Keillor

He did seem to have quite the vendetta against Garrison Keillor (which happens quite often when a politician decides to cut off the funding for a show with wit). And Keillor's retorts against the less-than-stellar governor were quite apt...

”You couldn’t pour water out of a boot if the instructions were written on the heel.”

"Minnesota is a $12-billion-a-year operation and we have taken the janitor and made him the c.e.o."

"...a state of polite and modest people, very few of whom shave their heads on a regular basis"

"...the first governor I ever came across who can sneer and swagger convincingly- indeed, almost as well as Patrick Buchanan."

[Wapsie B]

18. He's too much for the purists to handle.

At times if both sides are angry with you you just might be on to something.

[spiritual_gunfighter]

21. Couldn't have said it better myself n/t

[No Elephants]

34. On that theory, anti-Semitism is a correct position, as is slavery and most things good people on

both sides agree on. Sounds good, when you first say it, but it's very a dangerous standard to employ a lot of the time.

Ventura was correct on The View the other day, though.

[pleah]

4. K&R

[MidwestTransplant]

5. TRAITOR. Luckily he isn't a black woman.

[Bluenorthwest]

6. Jesse on prosecutions

The only former elected official to speak for me. Not even a Democrat, and that is what it is.

[No Elephants]

32. Kind of sad, isn't it?

[old mark]

7. Seems like a lot of people hate him becvause of his military service,

but he has never not spoken his mind, and I have no doubt he is truly outraged.
Keep talkin, Jesse!

mark

[wysimdnwyg]

12. I can't claim to know the reason

I seriously doubt that many people "hate" Ventura "because of his military service". There are a lot who don't like him because he doesn't fit neatly into a particular party and because he doesn't play by the rules. Ventura tells it like he sees it, and that makes many uncomfortable. That's actually the reason I like him.

[spiritual_gunfighter]

23. That is the reason I like him too

He has said he wont go back into politics but I would support him if he did.

[spiritual_gunfighter]

16. I hope that isn't the issue

Not sure how you can hate someone for serving his country. I respect him for it. He is really the strongest voice at the moment speaking truth to power about torture.

[No Elephants]

33. Because of his military service? Doubt that.

[Hulk]

8. I think the media needs more Jesse Ventura's in this day...

With slime balls like the cheney-robots and boner and his neutered group of right wing piss-ants, it would be nice if we had MORE PEOPLE that told the straight and honest truth once in awhile.

He's not the personality I prefer to support, but he definitely gets his points across...and those points are NOT so complex the fox/propaganda network viewers would have a hard time understanding.

Go Jesse!!

[Union Yes]

9. Jessi- Social Liberal, Civil Rights Liberal, Fiscal Moderate.

He championed public education as governor.

[Union Yes]

10. Organized religion is a crutch for the weak minded-Jessi, 1999

[spiritual_gunfighter]

17. Yeah I like him for that one as well. n/t

[cascadiance]

24. He's one of only a few "moderates" that isn't also (make that "really") a corporatist!

And that in my book is the kind of moderates that we need more of in our government to keep everyone honest, and NOT be a toadie for corporate elites!

Other true moderates that aren't corporatists like Paul Hackett get thrown out of the Democratic Party before they get much of a chance to make a difference.

[Politicalboi]

13. I think it's his wrestling career

That some don't like him. I don't care for wrestling and I know it's fake so that might have something to do with it. I know it did with me. But he is 100% right, and he doesn't believe the governments story for 9/11 either.

[spiritual_gunfighter]

19. I am an old pro wrestling fan

but even that isn't reason to dismiss someone outright when he is speaking truth to power. I still am wondering what people have against him, is it because he is an independent?

[ThirdWorldJohn]

25. Jesse talks about the CIA in state Government

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OmOdaZDE7OI

[Senator]

26. K&R

[BreweryYardRat]

29. I may not agree with Jesse Ventura on everything...

...but I agree with him on this, and furthermore, the man tells it like it is. That's a very good quality in a politician.

[No Elephants]

35. And in terms everyone could understand. If Kerry had been able to master that....Sigh.

[Wednesdays]

30. K&R

:kick:

[Vidar]

31. Bravo, Jesse!

[No Elephants]

36. If this country followed the rule of law, Bushco would have been investigated and prosecuted. It's

really that simple. THAT's part of what the rule of law means--NOT that you will never encounter a lawbreaker or lawlessness, but that others will end and punish it, while using due process, right to counsel and our other Constitutional safeguards.

I watched that episode of The View. It was great to hear someone conservatives think is neat give voice to the same things the wild eyed left is saying. Also fun--watching the ever-yappy, rudely overtalking, meme-mouthing, empty barrel of a talk show host, Eliabeth Hasselbeck, simma down, however briefly.

The woman has a gift when it comes to style. Other than that, absolutely nothing that qualifies her to be a talk show host.