Pattern recognition: Which of these do not belong?

[brainshrub]

Back in grade school we would occasionally be tested for pattern recognition. First, we would be shown three pictures:



We were then asked: Which one of these do not belong?

I loved these kind of tests because they were easy and they made me feel smart. I remember asking myself: "What kind of person would not pick the mouse?"

The pattern-recognition test can apply to how we view ourselves as a nation, and what we believe our country should represent. For example, which of these three images should not belong when you think of "The United States of America.":



Now I'll bet you chose torture as the item that does not belong, right? Well, I'm proud to say that the US Senate agrees with you!

The Republican-majority Senate followed the lead of maverick Sens. John McCain, R-Ariz., and Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., voting 90-9 to add the anti-torture language to the legislation.

Their measure would ban the use of "cruel, inhuman or degrading" treatment of any prisoner in the hands of the United States. It's a response to the revelations of torture by U.S. personnel of Iraqi detainees at Abu Ghraib prison in Baghdad, which roused worldwide disgust.

What has the White House done in response? Well, this morning the Bush Administration decided that they believe that torture does belong with American values and apple pie:

The Bush administration pledged yesterday to veto legislation banning the torture of prisoners by US troops after an overwhelming and almost unprecedented revolt by loyalist congressmen.

George W. Bush, a man who claims to be a born-again Christian, has decided that his first-ever veto is going to be used to support our governments use of this:



as a viable way to get information.

If our President is so morally and intellectually bereft that he can't pass a simple pattern-recognition test, he has no business being our head of state.

By the way, here's another pattern-recognition test for you: Below are the nine US Senators who voted against the McCain/Graham amendment. What do all of these pro-torture & humiliation legislators have in common?

Allard (Republican-CO)
Bond (Republican-MO)
Coburn (Republican-OK)
Cochran (Republican-MS)
Cornyn (Republican-TX)
Inhofe (Republican-OK)
Roberts (Republican-KS)
Sessions (Republican-AL)
Stevens (Republican-AK)

I'll give you a hint: Hopefully, none of them are going to get re-elected.

www.brainshrub.com/pattern-recognition

[atommom]

1. I fervently hope they don't get re-elected.

Roberts is quite powerful, but he could still be beaten. We just need the right candidate.

I sent him a particularly mean letter about this, BTW. I can't wait to see which form letter I get in return!

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

2. I hope they don't, either

Kit Bond surprises me. Although he was a Repuke, I thought he had a shred of common decency. Guess not.

[UpInArms]

7. Kit Bond and the decency do not belong in the same sentence

this corrupt piece of flotsam needs to be jettisoned.

[ChairmanAgnostic]

3. creative, interesting, informative post. NOMINATED

if only the message weren't so FUCKING DISGUSTING.
Veto this, mr. president.

[Cronus Protagonist]

10. My name is George Bush and I approved this torture

http://bushspeaks.com/home.asp?did=170

[brainshrub]

16. Thanks for kind words.

[Burried News]

4. Great post. Not surprised Roberts is on the list.

Glad to see Warner finally stood up for what's right. What took you so long John?

[texpatriot2004]

5. Great Post love the American flag, apple pie, TORTURE? bit

Good job.

[yodermon]

6. Artfully and simply stated, brainshrub.

K&R.

:toast:

[ComerPerro]

8. Roberts but NOT Brownback? Was he not in DC today?

Some of the names NOT on this list are absolutely stunning.

[Avalux]

9. Cornyn is revolting.

Stuck with him here in Texas....maybe, just maybe, we can get rid of him this time.

[flying_wahini]

12. he's an ass kisser from way back,

Cornryn would've been out last time, 'cept for the screwed up
maps - ala Tom DeLay -

[crispini]

15. Um, no.

Cornyn's a Senator. Redistricting kinda doesn't affect him.

[flying_wahini]

21. my mistake

[ananda]

11. I picked Apple Pie..

.. because I thought American values and torture were similar. ;-)

Sue

[flying_wahini]

13. ha - good one

[brainshrub]

20. It's sad that I understood the joke.

Someday, that comment won't make any sense.

[Pacifist Patriot]

14. Well crafted post. Absolutely deserving of a recommendation.

[Joanne98]

17. Sessions is a sicko. He probably watches torture videos at night....

to RELAX!

[wakemewhenitsover]

18. Like Scholastic presidents book Karen Hughes shilled...

...with cover photos of Washington, Lincoln, JFK, and... Bush.

[texpatriot2004]

19. Torture, 9 Pro-Torture Senators, America Torturing people. How

sad.

[Roland99]

22. Just like the bumper sticker on my car (See sig)>>>>

[Toots]

23. Senator Stevens and his Bridge to nowhere sadly will be reelected

His state is extremely red and he is considered a God for all the pork he has brought them. Give them more oil drilling and you can torture anyone you wish....

[Crunchy Frog]

24. When Bush vetoes this

how likely is it that the people who voted for it originally will vote to override the veto? Will they be more willing to stand up to their Dear Leader, or will they cave in the end?

[afdip]

25. what sort of military service

did the nine pro-torture senators give their country???