Saturday, October 20, 2007

Remember When...

Remember when all we had to debate was the definition of "sex" -- as in "I did not have sexual relations with that woman?" In less than a decade our national discourse has plunged to these moral depths: A U.S. senator has to ask the nominee for the highest legal job in the land, "Is waterboarding constitutional?"

Even more appalling, the author of "Legal Ethics and Human Dignity" says the answer can be discovered by performing this simple scientific experiment:
So: does waterboarding inflict severe suffering? If you want to do a quick, common-sense reality check, try this. Blow all the air out of your lungs. Then stare at your watch and try not to inhale for ninety seconds by the clock. Then take one quick half-breath and immediately do it again. Now imagine that you’re tied down while you’re doing it and water is pouring over your head and rolling up your nose. Or, if you’re really ambitious, get in the shower and turn it on and try the same hold-your-breath-with-no-air-in-your-lungs experiment with your head tilted up and the water pouring up your nose. Then decide for yourself whether it’s severe suffering.

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

While I appreciate the author's suggestion that we try this self inflicted waterboarding technique on ourselves, wouldn't it be be even better if Bush were to have the first go at it, or perhaps Cheney?

O-kay, either one, I'm really not that picky. :)

Anonymous said...

Fuck them !! if it stops another 911 screw the terrorist !!

Anonymous said...

How must it feel to have your head chopped off !!

Anonymous said...

Dear Anonymous;

Please read up on the Geneva Convenion and try to remember that this is America, not some jihad nation with hatred bred into us from the day we are born, at least not in most cases, in yours it seems that may not be the case.

Here is a start for you, Article 13:

Prisoners of war must at all times be humanely treated. Any unlawful act or omission by the Detaining Power causing death or seriously endangering the health of a prisoner of war in its custody is prohibited, and will be regarded as a serious breach of the present Convention. In particular, no prisoner of war may be subjected to physical mutilation or to medical or scientific experiments of any kind which are not justified by the medical, dental or hospital treatment of the prisoner concerned and carried out in his interest.

Likewise, prisoners of war must at all times be protected, particularly against acts of violence or intimidation and against insults and public curiosity.

Measures of reprisal against prisoners of war are prohibited.

This is America, this is what we should all want America to be.

Bush has bastardized this country into something else entirely, but we shall return this country to its proper standing in the world.

Anonymous said...

sorry but we are not fighting a war against a country but terrorist
and they do follow the Geneva Convenion !!! I guess we must agree
to disagree !!!

Anonymous said...

Bite your tongue and be very careful of what you wish for. There is no way to fight a war against terror mano y mano, dear.

What rule of law would you suggest? The Bush way? Think about it..........I'll give you 5 seconds under water before I up it to 15 minutes.

My country weeps for you and the likes of you.

Sincerely,

panicbean