torture

is anyone else completely outraged by Bush's veto of the bill banning water boarding and other 'harsh interrogation' techniques condemned by international law and already previously outlawed by our very own military? A nation that sanctions torture is not worth protecting. Not only is there huuuuge moral issues, but what about the precedent that it sets? that any nation can defy international human rights laws in the name of national security? One nation's terrorist is another's freedom fighter. Or oops, perhaps we just got the wrong guy. Since they are not given a trial, and we use secret detention camps.... how much do you trust the CIA? The arguement has been proposed to me - that torture perhaps can be justified in certain circumstances if it were the last resort and if it were the only way to yield credible information preventing an attack. There is many-a-problem with this. First, there is no way of ever actually measuring this. Is it even possible to put someone in a detention camp and imprisoned while posing the idea that they are being held by a just and moral nation that will not harm or torture them? The U.S has too much bad history behind it. Second, most studies indicate that other interrogation techniques are much more successful, and moreover, testimony under torture is infactual and unreliable. (why were the tapes destroyed of the torture sessions of moussai- the name i can't spell?) Also there is so much information out there - 911 as the classic example - the problem is not that there is a lack of it. Rather there is too much. interpreting it is the hard part. The thousands of phone conversations, millions of documents, tranlations, etc. To claim that one testimony of a tortured individual is somehow more unique and valuable than the insane amount of information out there is ridiculous. Third. even if we could get info, - and only through torture, the bottom line is torture is immoral and wrong. It dehumanizes the people who do it and who they do it to. It is a crime against humanity. So Bush - Fuck you!
p.s. i put the 'adult content' thing on because it humored me. i also finally figured out how to put links up. yay for me.