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Senate Bars Cruel Treatment of Detainees

By TChris, Section War on Terror
Posted on Thu Oct 06, 2005 at 12:24:13 PM EST
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by TChris

Further proof that the president is now powerless (even rudderless, a disabled swift boat being swept out to sea): he couldn't convince the Senate to allow his administration the freedom it has enjoyed to abuse detainees.

"We have to clarify that this is not what the United States is all about. This is what makes us different from the enemy we are fighting," said Sen. John McCain (R-) of Arizona, who sponsored the amendment that bars cruel and inhumane treatment of detainees.

The Senate was apparently persuaded by evidence that front-line interrogators weren't given direction to guide their actions, and by disagreement among Pentagon officials as to what is or isn't an acceptable interrogation technique, and who is or isn't subject to the Geneva Conventions.

"If the Pentagon's top minds can't sort these matters out, after exhaustive debate and preparation, how in the world do we expect our enlisted men and women to do so?" asked McCain, before the Senate passed the measure in a 90-9 vote.

McCain explains the amendment:

This amendment would (1) establish the Army Field Manual as the uniform standard for the interrogation of Department of Defense detainees and (2) prohibit cruel, inhuman, and degrading treatment of persons in the detention of the U.S. government.

As for the rudderless president, who much preferred ambiguity to clarity (and unfettered discretion to restraint):

The amendment's overwhelming passage, despite objections from the White House, marks a rare congressional challenge to President Bush as commander-in-chief at a time when public support for his presidency is at a low.

Bush has threatened to veto the measure, but the margin of victory is veto-proof. The Senate bill must still be reconciled with the House version.

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    Senate Bars Cruel Treatment of Detainees | 9 comments (9 topical)
    Re: Senate Bars Cruel Treatment of Detainees (none / 0) (#1)
    by kdog on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:04:44 PM EST
    "We have to clarify that this is not what the United States is all about. This is what makes us different from the enemy we are fighting," Well said Senator. Please remind the rest of your party.

    Re: Senate Bars Cruel Treatment of Detainees (none / 0) (#2)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:04:44 PM EST
    Hmm. Only one of my states senators, Talent, voted for it. Bond voted against it. Should be good fodder when his term comes up for reelection. McCain making sure it's attatched to a bill George doesn't dare veto was smart. Hopefully, he can carry the day when it comes up to reconciling the Senate and House bills. Powell's endorsement will help that, methinks. It'd be nice to have something done by this legislature I can actually respect.

    Re: Senate Bars Cruel Treatment of Detainees (none / 0) (#3)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:04:44 PM EST
    I'm shocked, but happy, that this passed. Unfortunately both of my states senators voted to approve torture. Oh well, I would rather it pass that have Inhoffe and Coburn actually act like humans.

    Re: Senate Bars Cruel Treatment of Detainees (none / 0) (#4)
    by Johnny on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:04:44 PM EST
    Why does John McCain hate America?

    Re: Senate Bars Cruel Treatment of Detainees (none / 0) (#5)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:04:44 PM EST
    "Further proof that the president is now powerless" Wow, TChris, that must feel really good to DELUDE yourself like that. So what, the Senate passed a law. Do you have any idea how many laws Rumsfeld has ALREADY ignored? They are on the verge of attacking Syria/Lebanon. While Bush diddles and fiddles, and people tell themselves fairy tales, the war is about to get bigger. Bush Must Resign.

    Re: Senate Bars Cruel Treatment of Detainees (none / 0) (#6)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:04:44 PM EST
    Notice that even certifiable wingnuts like Lott, Frist and Santorum voted for the amendment.

    Re: Senate Bars Cruel Treatment of Detainees (none / 0) (#7)
    by john horse on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:04:44 PM EST
    One has to wonder why we have to pass legislation to bar the cruel treatment of detainees when there is already legislation against torture and George "Trust Me" Bush has already assured us that detainees will be treated humanely. More importantly, I question the assumption of this legislation, that front-line interrogators were confused as to what was and was not an acceptable interrogation technique. I think they understood perfectly and what was done in Abu Ghraib was that they were doing what they knew was expected of them. So pardon me if I don't join any of you in praising Senator McCain. When you think about it, the responsibility is still pointing down (at the ignorant frontline guards) rather than up at up the chain of command (those who were responsible setting up the system of abuse and torture).

    Re: Senate Bars Cruel Treatment of Detainees (none / 0) (#8)
    by Sailor on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:04:44 PM EST
    Does anyone else think we live in a bizarro world where the US senate HAS to pass a non-torture bill, and the prez threatens to veto it?

    Re: Senate Bars Cruel Treatment of Detainees (none / 0) (#10)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:04:45 PM EST
    What John Horse and WG said. A lot of blogs are missing these *very* important points. Love, Hanna

    Senate Bars Cruel Treatment of Detainees | 9 comments (9 topical)