Retired generals blast torture supporters

[babylonsister]

http://thinkprogress.org/2007/05/17/retired-generals-blast-torture-supporters/

Retired generals blast torture supporters. Days after several conservative presidential candidates received audience applause for endorsing torture, former Marine Corps commandant Gen. Charles Krulak and former U.S. CentCom commander Gen. Joseph Hoar write:

Fear can be a strong motivator. It led Franklin Roosevelt to intern tens of thousands of innocent U.S. citizens during World War II; it led to Joseph McCarthy’s witch hunt, which ruined the lives of hundreds of Americans. And it led the United States to adopt a policy at the highest levels that condoned and even authorized torture of prisoners in our custody. (…)

The American people are understandably fearful about another attack like the one we sustained on Sept. 11, 2001. But it is the duty of the commander in chief to lead the country away from the grip of fear, not into its grasp. Regrettably, at Tuesday night’s presidential debate in South Carolina, several Republican candidates revealed a stunning failure to understand this most basic obligation. (…)

If we forfeit our values by signaling that they are negotiable in situations of grave or imminent danger, we drive those undecideds into the arms of the enemy. This way lies defeat, and we are well down the road to it.

[malaise]

1. K & R

Those Rethugs will endorse lynching again if it will help them win base support. They are fugging barbarians.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

2. I'm glad the generals are coming out

do you think that their voices are being heard--and their advice being listened to--by Americans in general?

[BOSSHOG]

3. Now that would be awesome

Generals coming out!!!

Yes, good men are talking. Knowledgeable Men. Men who have been there and done that. Not the fucking criminal trash which comprise the PNAC and right wing radio; bush's advisors.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

5. do you think the people are listening, though?

Boss, I know you live in a part of the country where there are a lot of conservatives. Are you noticing your neighbors taking notice of the ads and what the generals are saying? Or are they sticking their fingers in their ears?

[BOSSHOG]

7. Everyday I get two papers

one from New Orleans and one from Gulfport. They are overwhelmingly chock full of ltte against bush and against our involvement in Iraq. I've been surprised at the onslaught. Occasionally there is a pro bush, pro war letter but it gets almost immediate responses from the rational amongst us. That is a little joy I look forward to almost every day.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

8. Wow

that's something. I don't read newspapers, but I haven't heard anyone saying anything pro war lately, and I do talk to a lot of folks in the course of a day.

[BOSSHOG]

9. It has evolved if I may say so

From early 2003 through mid 2006 the pro-war rah, rah flag waving letters comprised about 80% of the letters. As time has warn on, those opposed to the war are now pegging the 80% mark and the pro-war nonsense is now tepid, lukewarm at best with little enthusiasm.

[WorseBeforeBetter]

4. "It is the duty of the commander in chief...

to lead the country away from the grip of fear, not into its grasp." Powerful statement!

Contrasted with:

"You know, one of the hardest parts of my job is to connect Iraq to the war on terror." --George W. Bush, interview with CBS News' Katie Couric, Sept. 6, 2006

Sigh.

[magellan]

6. There will always be a percentage of fearful Americans

...who'll embrace indiscriminate violence as a remedy. I don't know why anyone would want to elect someone who's motivated by fear to forfeit our country's principles, but hey, plenty of them also voted for Bush**.