Amnesty International Asks us to Help Restore the America We Believe in

[Time for change]

Amnesty International is one of the world’s premier human rights organizations, whose sole function is to campaign for internationally recognized human rights, as specified in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

At this moment, one of their main concerns is our Congress’s recent passage of the Military Commissions Act, which they addressed in a recent letter to their members:

… I wish I could say our work was done. Unfortunately, despite all our efforts, the Military Commissions Act of 2006 passed. Bad policy has now become bad law. With endorsement from Congress, the administration can now hold people without charge, without trial, indefinitely. Past violations of the War Crimes Act have been rubber stamped, the administration absolved of prosecution in the U.S. Not only has the definition of "enemy combatant" been dangerously broadened, those so designated have been stripped of their right to challenge the legality of their detention. The bill also includes a loophole that could allow the President to define torture as "alternative interrogation" techniques. Given the history of this administration, we have no reason to believe that torture won't continue.

What are we doing about it? We're not giving up. We're fighting back, and we're fighting back hard…

With your support, we are emboldened. More than ever, you play a critical role. We are indebted to you for your outstanding efforts these past few weeks. Do not despair, we will prevail.

Sincerely,

Larry Cox
Executive Director
Amnesty International

The letter also refers us to their new campaign site:

We're in a struggle for the soul of our nation… Outraged, and in response, Amnesty International has launched a new campaign that will fight to restore our traditional American values of justice, rule of law, and human dignity. In the coming weeks and months, we will as a nation either end some of the worst human rights abuses of the Bush administration or continue down this destructive path. Amnesty is fighting for the America we believe in, the America that leads the world on human rights…

Then they ask us to sign the “American I believe in” pledge:

The America I Believe In doesn't torture people or use cruel, inhumane treatment. . . doesn't hold people without charge, without fair trials, without hope, and without end. . .doesn't kidnap people off the street and ship them to nations known for their brutality. . .doesn't condone prisoner abuse and excuse high-ranking government officials from responsibility for that abuse. . .doesn't justify the use of secret prisons. . .and does not rob people of their basic dignity.

I'm joining with Amnesty International USA to restore The America I Believe In. The America I Believe In leads the world on human rights.

I'm committing to tell friends and family about the campaign. I'm also committing to contacting my members of Congress and my local media to tell them that the America I Believe In defends human rights and justice for all.

[calimary]

1. I guess the day had to come - when Amnesty International takes

action to rescue the United States of America. Yes, dear friends, it has gotten that bad. :(

[Time for change]

2. Yes, it's pretty damn bad

Thank god for organizations like Amnesty International. They've exposed a great many human rights abuses by this administration.