America's Regression: We don't even agree with Reagan on torture anymore

[Bluebear]

by Glenn Greenwald

Ronald Reagan, May 20, 1988, transmitting the Convention Against Torture to the Senate for ratification:

The United States participated actively and effectively in the negotiation of the Convention. Ratification of the Convention by the United States will clearly express United States opposition to torture, an abhorrent practice unfortunately still prevalent in the world today.

The core provisions of the Convention establish a regime for international cooperation in the criminal prosecution of torturers relying on so-called "universal jurisdiction." Each State Party is required either to prosecute torturers who are found in its territory or to extradite them to other countries for prosecution.

Convention Against Torture, signed and championed by Ronald Reagan, Article II/IV:

No exceptional circumstances whatsoever, whether a state of war or a threat or war, internal political instability or any other public emergency, may be invoked as a justification of torture. . . Each State Party shall ensure that all acts of torture are offences under its criminal law.

Pew Poll, today:

Public opinion about the use of torture remains divided, though the share saying it can at least sometimes be justified has edged upward over the past year. Currently just over half of Americans say that the use of torture against suspected terrorists in order to gain important information can either often (19%) or sometimes (35%) be justified. This is the first time in over five years of Pew Research polling on this question that a majority has expressed these views. Another 16% say torture can rarely be justified, while 25% say it can never be justified.

Just think about that. Torture is one of the most universal taboos in the civilized world. The treaty championed by Ronald Reagan declares that "no exceptional circumstances" can justify it, and requires that every state criminalize it and prosecute those who authorize or engage in it. But only 25% of Americans agree with Ronald Reagan and this Western consensus that torture is never justifiable. Worse, 54% of Americans believe torture is "often" or "sometimes" justified. When it comes to torture, the vast bulk of the country is now to the "right" (for lack of a better term) of Ronald Reagan, who at least in words (if not in deeds) insisted upon an absolute prohibition on the practice and mandatory prosecution for those responsible.

http://www.commondreams.org/view/2009/12/04-3

[spanone]

1. cheny/bu$h* set this country back a hundred years

[atreides1]

3. True

But what is the current administration doing to set it on the right course, besides seeking total immunity for the non-humans who advocated torture, some who are still working for this administration?

Sorry, it's been almost 11 months, and the Bush torturers along with the CIA agents who gladly assisted, are still walking around free, with one or two basically bullshit investigations which won't result in any trials.

Trial of the Major War Criminals before the International Military Tribunal (IMT), which tried 22 of the most important captured leaders of Nazi Germany. It was held from November 21, 1945 to October 1, 1946.

It only took the allies less then a year for the major war criminals, and we we're also coming out of a major war. And we don't even have to capture our war criminals, we know where they are.

So you see the constant excuse of "he's only been in less then a year", is just that an excuse!

[Danger Mouse]

2. No words...

:(

[bread_and_roses]

4. What cowards we are! Torture suspects, incinerate children, whatever....

just "keep us safe." I read that article too, but was too depressed by it to post it. This is one of the times that I doubt my better self's faith in all our common humanity and the ability of all of us together as a commonality to eventually do the right thing.

[Bluebear]

5. As we go marching, marching...

Bread and roses :)