Molly Ivins on Torture - says we need to protest, phone, fax, e-mail, mail

[kerry-is-my-prez]

For those who haven't seen it yet.....

http://www.creators.com/opinion_show.cfm?columnsName=miv
by Molly Ivins
RELEASE: THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2006, AND THEREAFTER
A TORTURED DEBATE

AUSTIN, Texas -- Some country is about to have a Senate debate on a bill to legalize torture. How weird is that?

-snip-

A debate on torture. I don't know -- what do you think? I guess we have to define it, first. The White House has already specified "water boarding," making some guy think he's drowning for long periods, as a perfectly good interrogation technique. Maybe, but it was also a great favorite of the Gestapo and has been described and condemned in thousands of memoirs and novels in highly unpleasant terms.

I don't think we can give it a good name again, and I personally kind of don't like being identified with the Gestapo. How icky. (Somewhere inside me, a small voice is shrieking, "Are you insane?")

-snip-

Now, in addition to the slightly surreal awakening to find we live in a country that's having a serious debate on a torture bill, can we do anything about it? The answer is: We better. We better do something about it. Now, right away. What do we do? The answer is: anything ... phone, fax, e-mail, mail, demonstrate -- go stand outside their offices or the nearest federal building in the cold and sing hymns or shout rude slogans, chant or make a speech, or start attacking federal property, like a postal box, so they have to arrest you. Gather peacefully and make a lot of noise. Get publicity, too.

-snip

[grizmaster]

1. favorite line

How will you feel if you didn't do something? "Well, honey, when the United States decided to adopt torture as an official policy, I was dipping the dog for ticks."

[liberalmuse]

2. I did email last week...

Today after work, I do phone.

[tbyg52]

8. I've got lots of representatives' numbers...

Programmed into my cell phone, so I can call as I'm walking to my car, etc. Multitasking really increases my amount of calls! (And if people overhear me, so much the better.)

[texpatriot2004]

3. Molly Ivins is right nm

[Hissyspit]

4. kick

[immoderate]

5. My note to Senator Mel Martinez (R-Scumbag)

Senator Martinez,

I'll be brief. I can't believe that the United States Senate is going to debate torture. The notion that our government is even considering torturing anyone is appalling.

All Americans have reason to be ashamed.

George Bush is a sadistic sociopath, who grew up torturing animals in a loveless, dysfunctional family. What's your excuse?

--IMM

[tblue]

6. Mind if I steal a line from your letter?

I'm asking permission like a good girl. That was right on the money, what you wrote. And I like things short & sweet.

[immoderate]

7. Please feel free.

I'm flattered.

--IMM

[tblue]

9. Muchas gracias.

I'll write to my senators & reps, too. They're all decent Democrats, but it doesn't hurt to reinforce the message. Does anybody here write to people who are not their senators & reps?