Kirk, Bush, moving country backward

On March 11, Congressman Mark Kirk had the opportunity to overrride President Bush's veto of The Intelligence Authorization Act of 2008 (HR 2082). This act banned the use of waterboarding as an interrogation technique.

Unfortunately, Congressman Kirk chose to stand by President Bush and voted "no."

Article 3 of the Third Geneva Convention states: "To this end, the following acts are and shall remain prohibited at any time and in any place whatsoever with respect to the above-mentioned persons (persons taking part in active hostilities): (a) violence to life and person, in particular murder of all kinds, mutilation, cruel treatment and torture."

In effect, Kirk and Bush voted to abrogate our Geneva Convention agreements.

The Army manual on the treatment of prisoners bans the degrading treatment of prisoners, and specifically mentions waterboarding and torture. John McCain has called waterboarding "a horrible torture."

He went on to say "this is a terrible and odious practice and should never be condoned in the United States."

Simulated drowning as a means of torture was first introduced during the Spanish Inquisition. Kirk and Bush are moving us back to the Dark Ages.

Stuart Kronish

Highland Park