Torture has never been condoned
For years now, we have read about the liberals' and Democrats' interpretation of the tough tactics being used on al-Qaida by the Bush administration as torture.
On April 29, we once again had to endure a letter written by Chrisi Vineyard of Oswego with these same interpretations, but this time she claims Condoleezza Rice is guilty of approving torture, from an ABC report. Hey, it was written as Condoleezza Rice chairing meetings regarding the "tough tactics" about the interrogations. Nowhere does any of the Bush administration claim admission to torture.
In fact, their exact quote is: "What was approved was legal and did not condone torture"!
But Vineyard and her liberal/Democratic colleagues would like to have administration personnel resign based on their interpretation and not fact.
I suspect there will be no resignations due to the simple fact that torture was not condoned and the facts win out over interpretation.
Yeah, one can debate whether "water boarding" is torture or not. However, when discussing, keep in mind that our Navy Seals go through "water boarding" as an exercise and there is no physical pain involved. Psychologically, they might feel they will drown but they don't and it does not leave any permanent damage.
In fact, from an ABC News report dated Nov. 18, 2005, the following was stated: "CIA officers who subjected themselves to the water boarding technique lasted an average of 14 seconds before caving in. They said al Qaida's toughest prisoner, Khalid Sheik Mohammed, won the admiration of interrogators when he was able to last between two and two-and-a-half minutes before begging to confess".
His confession led to saving many soldiers' lives.
Now, anyone that wants to continue discussing torture, when there is no proof, will be destroying this country's image, not the Bush administration.
Unless proven that torture does exist and administration personnel are held accountable for torture, enough with the torture talk so this country can preserve its image.
Carl Palash
Carol Stream