Students Explain Why They Handed Bush Letter Urging Torture Ban

[Hissyspit]

http://rawstory.com/news/2007/Students_hand_Bush_letter_urging_ban_0626.html

Students explain why they handed Bush letter urging ban on torture David Edwards and Mike Sheehan
Published: Tuesday June 26, 2007

While meeting with a group of high school seniors from the Presidential Scholars program in the East Room of the White House, President Bush received an unexpected surprise: a letter signed by 50 of them urging Bush to halt "violations of the human rights" of terror suspects held by the United States.

According to the Associated Press, "The White House says Bush did not expect the letter but took a moment to read it and talk with a young woman who'd handed it to him."

White House spokesman Dana Perino said Bush let the student know "the United States does not torture and that we value human rights," a statement seemingly contradicted by Bush's signing statement which gave him power to largely ignore a Congressional ban on torture spearheaded by Sen. John McCain (R-AZ).

In the following CNN video, three of the seniors who met with the president discuss the event. The designation of Presidential Scholar is among the nation's highest honors for high school grads, with the honorees traveling to Washington for lectures and seminars, the AP reports

VIDEO AT LINK

[Mabus]

1. Their letter doesn't need an explanation

to people who are paying attention. It's kind of sad that they have to explain it but I'm glad they're doing it if it helps wake some people up.

edited to add: K&R

[whistle]

2. Well Dana, if someone hires a hit-man to assassinate someone they are

...equally guilty, you can't delegate responsibility for torture no matter how much your whiny sounding spin tries to make people believe otherwise. Go have another triple margarita Perino:yoiks:

[Az]

3. Perhaps a news story has to be done demonstrating the things we allow

A lot of the methods are just abstract words to many people. Seeing may change some minds that still just don't get it.

[Lerkfish]

4. "the United States does not torture" ???

wow. just wow. I'm surprised his tongue doesn't snap off at both ends and run out of his mouth, screaming down the hall.

[Hissyspit]

5. .

[spanone]

6. Gives me added hope in the future of our once great nation