Letter to the Editor

To the Editor:

Torture is morally wrong. Of this there can be no doubt. Yet, just this week, George W. Bush has submitted legislation to Congress, via the Republican majority, that will allow “aggressive interrogation,” a euphemism that includes treatment the World considers torture.

Do not take my word for it. In an editorial on Friday, 22 Sept. 2006, The Washington Post said:

“ The bad news is that Mr. Bush, as he made clear yesterday, intends to continue using the CIA to secretly detain and abuse certain terrorist suspects. He will do so by issuing his own interpretation of the Geneva Conventions in an executive order and by relying on questionable Justice Department opinions that authorize such practices as exposing prisoners to hypothermia and prolonged sleep deprivation.”

Torture is morally wrong. It depraves those who practice it. You may wave your hands and jump up and down shouting “terrorism” all you want, it cannot be made acceptable. Now it may become the official policy of the United States. Shame.
We survived and triumphed in two World Wars and did not have to resort to torture though it was used extensively by our enemies. There is only one chance that this catastrophe can be averted, and that will be if Democratic Senators can launch and sustain a filibuster. We should support our Senators in this task. Our moral clarity depends upon it.