Civil Rights

By David Swanson

It seems almost trivial to accuse someone who launched an illegal war that has killed over a million people of torture. But if we are going to prosecute the lowest ranked torturers, it makes sense to look up the chain of command.

There is no doubt that George W. Bush conspired to commit torture, cruel and inhuman treatment, and murder. How do I know? He said so.

In his January 28, 2003, State of the Union, Bush said: “All told more than 3,000 suspected terrorists have been read more

Mike Tashman sent in this oldie but goodie:

From: senator_obama@obama.senate.gov
To: —————–
Sent: Fri, Mar 31, 2006 6:54 pm
Subject: Message from Senator Barack Obama

Dear Michael:

Thank you for writing about Senator Russ Feingold’s proposal to censure President Bush. I understand your strong feelings on this issue. While I share your frustration and anger, I do not think censure is justified at this time.

I agree with Senator Feingold that the Administration’s read more

Dissociated Press — Vice President Joe Biden signaled that the Obama administration would not stand in the way if a suspected serial killer in South Carolina chose to attack his neighbors’ children, even as the top U.S. child services officer said any attack on those children would be destabilizing.

“Look, this murderer can determine for himself — he’s a sovereign individual — what’s in his interest and what he decides to do relative to those children and read more

By David Swanson

We’ve heard of John Yoo and Alberto Gonzales, and maybe even Jay Bybee. Some of us recall John Ashcroft, Michael Mukasey, and even David Addington. William Haynes, Stephen Bradbury, and Douglas Feith occasionally make the news. If I had any say about it all 40 of these facilitators of torture would be universally known — plus the eight more that readers of this article will call to my attention and angrily read more

By David Swanson

Lawless detention is the least of it. State secrets and warrantless spying scrape the surface. Drone attacks and ongoing torture begin to touch it. But central to the power of an emperor, and the catastrophes that come from the existence of an emperor, is the elimination of any other force within the government. Signing statements eliminate congress. Not that congress objects. Asking congress to reclaim its power produces nervous giggles.

Look at how the latest war supplemental read more

Nothing Sacred: What We Talk about When We Talk about Torture
by Clayton Whitt
A humanist perspective on ticking time-bomb scenarios, human rights, and the law

Who’s Being Protected under the Searing Bright Light?
by David Swanson
Why Democrats and Republicans alike aren’t pushing to prosecute crafters of the torture program

Here it is.