The civilized have created the wretched, quite coldly and deliberately, and do not intend to change the status quo; are responsible for their slaughter and enslavement; rain down bombs on defenseless children whenever and wherever they decide that their ‘vital interests’ are menaced, and think nothing of torturing a man to death: these people are not to be taken seriously when they speak of the ‘sanctity’ of human life, or the ‘conscience’ of the civilized world.
- James Baldwin
Yesterday, George Bush vetoed legislation that would have banned the CIA from using waterboarding and other forms of torture in the interrogation of prisoners. Peter Roskam, a supporter of the President’s insistence on the use of torture, had voted against the bill when it came before the House last year. Republican presidential candidate and Roskam ally John McCain had also voted against the bill in the Senate, although he has claimed to be opposed to such practices.
By their insistence on the continued use of torture, Bush and Roskam have demonstrated their utter contempt for basic human rights and the civilized treatment of prisoners.
Nancy Pelosi is stating that an attempt will be made to override the President’s veto.
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