American Psychological Association condemns the Torture Legalization Act of 2006
September 28th, 2006
Heaven knows, I’m criticized the American Psychological Association enough over their providing cover for psychologists’ participation in coercive interrogations. But today the APA has doen something comendable. They’ve joined Physicians for Human Rights and others to come out against the Torture Legalization Act of 2006 [aka McCain-Graham-Warner cowards' "compromise"], passed in the House and currently being debated in the Senate. They have posted a page on the APA web site telling members to Call Your Senators Today: Tell Them to Vote “NO” on the Compromise Military Commissions Bill.
There is still the possibility of a fillibuster. As the New York Times editorialized today:
[T]he Democratic leadership in the Senate seems to have misplaced its spine. If there was ever a moment for a filibuster, this was it.
We don’t blame the Democrats for being frightened. The Republicans have made it clear that they’ll use any opportunity to brand anyone who votes against this bill as a terrorist enabler. But Americans of the future won’t remember the pragmatic arguments for caving in to the administration.
They’ll know that in 2006, Congress passed a tyrannical law that will be ranked with the low points in American democracy, our generation’s version of the Alien and Sedition Acts.
So do as APA says and call! Now! And again!
Update:/b> Revere at Effect Measure echos my sentiments:
There is a mighty battle going on between the election pragmatists who will hold their noses and look the other way when some Democrats vote for torture and those of us for whom habeas corpus and torture are not contingent principles, fine unless they will lose you an election. They are fundamental principles and you fight for them everywhere and always. Torture rends human flesh for the purpose of causing pain. It doesn’t produce information. Torturers know this but don’t care. No doctor or public health professional can approve of it or of those who approve of it. It is a tool used by cowards and sadists, as Lindsay says, or used for revenge for as yet unproven crimes, which is what a terrified American public has been manipulated into wanting. It’s not a spontaneous want. They have been led into this grotesquely anti-American position and they can be led out of it again. If we have leaders.
I will not support any elected official who votes for this, won’t give him or her a nickel, won’t ask anyone to vote for them, won’t work on their behalf. I hope the Democrats take control of one or both houses of Congress in the midterm elections. I agree strongly this is crucially important. But some prices are too high. I will not swallow this garbage, not even if refusing means risking an election victory.
Entry Filed under: Electoral Politics, Guantanamo, International Law, Law, Politics, Rights and Liberties, Torture, War Crimes
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