Bush to 'visit' GOP Senators before today's torture vote (pep rally!)

[Avalux]

Maybe they're a bit worried a couple repugs won't fall in lock-step and THE DECIDER is gonna show up to threaten. This is a dark day in our nation's history.

RIP USA. :-(

>>>>>>>>>>

The compromise legislation does not seek to narrow U.S. obligations under the Geneva Conventions in the treatment of prisoners, as Bush had hoped. But it would give the executive branch substantial leeway in deciding how to comply with treaty obligations in actions that fall short of "grave breaches" of the conventions.

It would bar military commissions from considering testimony obtained through interrogation techniques that involve "cruel, unusual or inhumane treatment or punishment," which is proscribed by the 5th, 8th and 14th amendments to the U.S. Constitution. But the bar would be retroactive only to Dec. 30, 2005, when Congress adopted the Detainee Treatment Act, sponsored by Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., to protect CIA operatives from being prosecuted over interrogation tactics used before then.

On Wednesday, Sen. Carl Levin, D-Mich., condemned the loophole, accusing administration officials of trying "to legitimize the mistreatment of detainees and to undermine some of the cornerstone principles of our legal system."

But GOP sponsors said the language is essential to protect well-intentioned CIA officers from vague guidelines.

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2006/09/28/MNG7TLE28A1.DTL

[ShortnFiery]

1. I honestly didn't think that I could resent any President's criminal

activity more than that of "Tricky Dick" Nixon. I was wrong - Those were the good old days where the rule of law did count.

Now, Dear Leader and Darth Cheney will celebrate the extinguishing of our civil liberties. Who doubts that War Protesters and Environmentalists will be labeled domestic "terrorists" and held indefinitely? :grr:

[Avalux]

10. I was too young to remember Nixon.

But from what I know of history, you are correct - the rule of law did count. There is no rule of law today.

Dissident = Insurgent = Enemy Combatant = Terrorist

Is that how it will go?

[DoYouEverWonder]

2. Remember when it was a big deal

for a President to go anywhere near Congress except for the State of the Union? Seems Bush is running down there every week lately to do the arm twisting himself. Bush really needs to pass this bill to legalize his war crimes before the DEMS take over. That's what this is all about.

[Avalux]

3. Absolutely.

If it doesn't pass by tomorrow, he's screwed. I don't dare hope something might stop it though. x(

[ShortnFiery]

4. Don't forget Cheney "setting up camp" at the CIA in the run up to the

Invasion of Iraq? Our Press does not ever highlight this fact and tie it to their cherry picking of choice intelligence to promote their Oil War. :(

[Avalux]

5. Our press is giving glowing reviews of this bill -

I've heard the same thing over and over this morning - "this legislation is vital for the President to continue fighting terrorism" or similar bullshit. I haven't heard anyone but KO actually talk about what's in the bill. Sickening.

If the press would do their damn job to inform, we might not be in this mess.

[ShortnFiery]

8. "The M$M" is with the Fascists. No Doubt - they're not on our side. :(

[radfringe]

6. pep rally yeah

it begins with some arm-twisting, followed by a lesson on how fun waterboarding can be at parties

[Avalux]

7. CNN called it a pep rally, lol.

I'm The Decider yes I am!
Torture, torture is my plan!
Cover my ass is what you'll all do!
Or you'll end up completely screwed!

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

9. "Well-Intentioned CIA Officers"

Kind of in the same manner as Jeffrey Dahmer was well-intentioned when he prepared dinner.

[Virginia Dare]

11. Taking his enforcer, Darth Cheney with him...

I wonder if Darth will bring his duck huntin' rifle with him just for good measure.

I hope they waterboard every single one of those mother fuckers.

[Hubert Flottz]

12. Did the let LIEberman in so he could kiss them?

[woodsprite]

13. Yes. I figure he's gonna remind them he knows

what nursing homes their Momma's are in, what schools their kids go to, and he'll remind them of the Anthrax 5yr anniversary.