On Democracy Now! today~
http://www.democracynow.org/2008/3/6/retired_generals_criticize_president_bush_forRetired Military Generals Criticize President Bush For Preparing To Veto Anti-Torture Bill
The former Chief Judge of the U.S. Army Court of Criminal Appeals Brigadier General James Cullen and Marine Maj. Gen. Fred Haynes discuss their opposition to torture and why they feel the use of torture threatens national security. Last month they joined 40 other retired U.S. military leaders to urge the Senate to approve the torture ban.
President Bush is expected to veto a bill this month that would limit interrogation of prisoners in the so-called “war of terror” to techniques approved by the Army Field Manual. Approval of the measure would effectively outlaw the use of several CIA techniques many have described as torture. The Army manual specifically bans waterboarding, mock executions, the use of electric shocks, beatings, forcing prisoners to perform sexual acts and depriving prisoners of necessary food, water or medical care. President Bush says the Army rules are too restrictive.
Bush is expected to withstand Democratic attempts to override his veto. The President has enough Republican support in the Senate—including from Republican presidential candidate and self-described torture opponent Senator John McCain.
Some of the most vocal criticism of the Bush administration’s stance on torture has come from former military leaders who say torture is not just immoral but counterproductive. Two of these former military leaders join us today.
Brigadier General James Cullen is the Former Chief Judge of the U.S. Army Court of Criminal Appeals. He currently practices law in New York City. We"re also joined by Marine Major General Fred Haynes. He is a combat veteran of World War II, Korea and Vietnam. He was a captain in the regiment that raised the American flag in Iwo Jima in February 1945. He also served as Pentagon Director for Near Eastern and South Asian Affairs under Presidents Kennedy and Johnson. Major General Haynes is author of the forthcoming book “We Walk By Faith: The story of Combat Team Twenty-eight and the Battle of Iwo Jima.”
Both our guests were among the forty-plus signatories of a letter from retired U.S. military leaders urging the Senate to approve the torture ban before its approval last month. Last night they took part in a panel discussion on torture sponsored by the group Human Rights First here in New York.
Brigadier General James Cullen (Ret.), Former Chief Judge of the U.S. Army Court of Criminal Appeals. He currently practices law in New York City.
Marine Maj. Gen. Fred Haynes (Ret.), Combat veteran of World War II, Korea and Vietnam. He was a captain in the regiment that seized Mt Suribachi, Iwo Jima and raised the American flag there in February 1945. Served as Pentagon Director, Near Eastern and South Asian Affairs under Presidents Kennedy and Johnson. He is author of the forthcoming book “We Walk By Faith, the story of Combat Team Twenty-eight and the Battle of Iwo Jima.”
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