Time for you newbies.... to get on board and add to the long

[HysteryDiagnosis]

list of thinking people.... let's join the list.

http://www.veteransforcommonsense.org/index.cfm?Page=Campaign&MemberID=0&subPage=MoreInfo&CampaignID=23
Open Letter from Veterans for Common Sense
Click here to read the list of signers

As military veterans who have served in every U.S. conflict since 1941, and their supporters, we have worked for decades to defend the national security of the United States and to uphold the honor, integrity and effectiveness of its military. We have greatly valued the opportunity to serve, and we remain committed to this critically important cause.

The reputation of the U.S. Armed Forces and related agencies were badly – we hope not irrevocably – damaged when the Abu Ghraib photos came to light. The rising number of serious allegation of abuses and deaths in custody raise serious questions concerning U.S. detention policy.

Given the range of individuals and locations involved in these reports, it is simply no longer possible to view these allegations as a few instances of an isolated problem. Yet none of the purported major or comprehensive investigations have assigned responsibility to any individuals responsible for policymaking nor held any commanding officer accountable for these abuses, other than the demotion, by one grade, of a Brigadier General.

The well-developed system of national and international laws governing detention and interrogation was designed – and has long been followed by the United States – for critical policy reasons in the United States’ self-interest. Experience and common sense have shown that information gathered through physical torture or dehumanizing humiliation is notoriously unreliable. It has a demoralizing, dehumanizing effect not only on those subject to violations, but also on our own troops – those who may be directly involved, and those unfairly tarred with the same brush. Violation of basic rules of international law by those acting under U.S. control also puts U.S. forces at greater risk. It jeopardizes the United States’ moral and practical authority to promote democracy and human rights abroad. And it seriously undermines the United States’ ability to “win the hearts and minds” of the global community – a goal essential to defeating terrorism over the long term. Finally, it is damaging to military morale to punish subordinates, but not hold those in leadership positions accountable for policymaking and implementation.

[rwheeler31]

1. I hope that line dies. Let's get her done is ugly on all levels.

Don't use trash lines.

[HysteryDiagnosis]

2. Don't know what you think it means... or maybe I don't know what

it means... but it's gone.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=104&topic_id=4360285&mesg_id=4360285

[cally]

4. Thank you for your courtesy

Unfortunately, I can't sign but I hope others do.

[damntexdem]

3. Common sense? Now there's a new idea.

I wonder if Dubya has ever heard of it.