thedrifter
10-14-05, 06:23 AM
There's a killer on the loose
Edward M. Kennedy ^ | 10/13/2005 | Edward M. Kennedy
Dear Beckwith,
None of us can forget the images from Abu Ghraib prison in Baghdad that shocked our nation nearly two years ago and stained the United States in the eyes of the world. The American people suddenly realized an unpleasant truth -- the cruel practice of torture had infected the ranks of the world's finest military.
Finally, on October 5th, by an overwhelming vote of 90-9, the Senate passed strict provisions as part of the Defense Appropriations Bill that would take the current military regulations against torture and turn them into law. Nine Republican Senators voted against the anti-torture provisions, and President Bush has threatened to veto the Defense Appropriation Bill unless the provisions are dropped:
The swimmer claims torture!
The President is well aware that his veto would demonstrate beyond any doubt how misguided and unsupportable his agenda is. Therefore, the Administration is attempting to bury the law in the House by persuading the House Republican Leadership to act behind the scenes to delete the anti-torture provisions.
House Members need to know where America stands. They must put the will of their own constituents ahead of Tom Delay or Dennis Hastert.
Take a moment and tell your representative that torture is wrong, and to insist that the anti-torture provisions must be enacted into law:
Please don't hurt the terrorists!
This Administration has a reckless habit of abusing its Executive power to get whatever it wants. Now that the Senate has challenged the President to accept the basic principle that no American, in Iraq or the White House, should ever think that torture is acceptable.
The President is not above the law, and neither is his Administration.
A major role of Congress under the Constitution has always been to challenge the abuse of Executive power. As the 90 to 9 Senate vote proves, the anti-torture provisions have broad bipartisan support from a frequently partisan Senate. But the voice of the American people still falls on deaf ears at the White House they think they know better than you or I do.
We in the Senate have done our part, and it's up to the House to do its part as well. It's wrong for the current House Republican leadership to turn that historic body into a rubber stamp for the Administration’s abhorrent position on torture.
We must act now and insist that our Congressional representatives -- Republicans and Democrats alike -- must take a strong stand against torture, just as the Senate has:
Anything but the panties!
Your voice and your action will embolden those who are working with us and give strength to House members who face tremendous pressure from the White House. Please act today"and let them know that America stands strong against torture. No more stonewalling. No more cover-ups.
Thank you so much for your assistance,
Senator Edward M. Kennedy
Ellie
Edward M. Kennedy ^ | 10/13/2005 | Edward M. Kennedy
Dear Beckwith,
None of us can forget the images from Abu Ghraib prison in Baghdad that shocked our nation nearly two years ago and stained the United States in the eyes of the world. The American people suddenly realized an unpleasant truth -- the cruel practice of torture had infected the ranks of the world's finest military.
Finally, on October 5th, by an overwhelming vote of 90-9, the Senate passed strict provisions as part of the Defense Appropriations Bill that would take the current military regulations against torture and turn them into law. Nine Republican Senators voted against the anti-torture provisions, and President Bush has threatened to veto the Defense Appropriation Bill unless the provisions are dropped:
The swimmer claims torture!
The President is well aware that his veto would demonstrate beyond any doubt how misguided and unsupportable his agenda is. Therefore, the Administration is attempting to bury the law in the House by persuading the House Republican Leadership to act behind the scenes to delete the anti-torture provisions.
House Members need to know where America stands. They must put the will of their own constituents ahead of Tom Delay or Dennis Hastert.
Take a moment and tell your representative that torture is wrong, and to insist that the anti-torture provisions must be enacted into law:
Please don't hurt the terrorists!
This Administration has a reckless habit of abusing its Executive power to get whatever it wants. Now that the Senate has challenged the President to accept the basic principle that no American, in Iraq or the White House, should ever think that torture is acceptable.
The President is not above the law, and neither is his Administration.
A major role of Congress under the Constitution has always been to challenge the abuse of Executive power. As the 90 to 9 Senate vote proves, the anti-torture provisions have broad bipartisan support from a frequently partisan Senate. But the voice of the American people still falls on deaf ears at the White House they think they know better than you or I do.
We in the Senate have done our part, and it's up to the House to do its part as well. It's wrong for the current House Republican leadership to turn that historic body into a rubber stamp for the Administration’s abhorrent position on torture.
We must act now and insist that our Congressional representatives -- Republicans and Democrats alike -- must take a strong stand against torture, just as the Senate has:
Anything but the panties!
Your voice and your action will embolden those who are working with us and give strength to House members who face tremendous pressure from the White House. Please act today"and let them know that America stands strong against torture. No more stonewalling. No more cover-ups.
Thank you so much for your assistance,
Senator Edward M. Kennedy
Ellie