I’ve been neglecting Katalusis lately as I’ve been distracted by a failed automobile and the necessity to complete several freelance writing projects. I know: excuses, excuses…
First the car. Rust overcame my old Mercury Topaz, and it was no longer safe to drive, so it’s destined for the scrap heap. The car search took awhile, but I’m now the owner of a used, dark green Honda Civic coupe that’s even fun to drive to the supermarket a few miles away.
As for the freelance writing projects, they require interviews, research, and a very different style of writing than that required by posting at Katalusis.
In the meantime, I’ve only glanced briefly at the headlines, shuddering at the murder of Dr. Tiller in Wichita, Dick Cheney’s repeated defense of waterboarding, and reading more descriptions of the yet-to-be released photos of detainee abuse, which brings me to this evening’s post featuring former president Jimmy Carter.
The Huffington Post reports:
In an interview with CNN's Campbell Brown, former president Jimmy Carter said he disagreed with President Obama's decision to oppose the release of photos depicting detainee torture. " I don't have the responsibility to deal with the consequences, but I think ... most of his supporters were hoping that he would be much more open in the revelation of what we've done in the past."
Campbell Brown: Weigh in if you will on the torture debate, what about prosecuting Bush administration officials who approved waterboarding and other harsh interrogation tactics. You know, there's a real split in your party about this issue. What do you think?
Former President Carter: Well, I think prosecuting is too strong a word, what I would like to see is a complete examination of what did happen, the identification of any perpetrators of crimes against our own laws or against international law and then after all that's done, decide whether or not there should be any prosecutions. But the revelation of what did happen is what I think I would support.
Read more:
Why would anyone even want to see these pictures? That is obscene in itself. Just the knowledge that they exist, that they convey torture that includes rape, is enough for a trial where, if need be, the Jury could see them. The public doesn't get up in arms to see pictures of every rape case that is under investigation by the police....why are these any different? Oh, wait...it's because they are a political ploy more than they are disgust at some of the things that have happened at Abu Ghraib. I see that.
ReplyDeleteHi anonymous. Thanks for stopping by. You raise some good questions. But the fact remains that U.S. government officials condoned the use of torture in interrogating detainees. These atrocities were committed in the names of all U.S. citizens to "protect" us. That puts these human rights violations in a different category than those in individual civilian cases of rape. There is also the reality that the detainees were given no recourse to plead their case in court. Many of the victims are no doubt still imprisoned. Had the public not seen the release of the first batch of photos, there would have been no outrage at these practices. Now that Obama is clearly morphing into George W. Bush on National Security matters, it's important that the public is reminded of the crimes against humanity unleashed under the Bush Administration.
ReplyDeleteSay what? Jimmy Carter DISAGREES with Barack Obama. Wait... let me get a chair. I may faint....
ReplyDeleteSeriously, has the former President stopped snorting the kool-ade in his old age?
This *is* news!