We must continue to oppose torture

Now that John McCain and Barack Obama have become the presumptive Republican and Democratic nominees for president, I look forward to the debates that will be held between them.

Among the many issues they will discuss will be their positions on torture.

It is my hope that they honor America's commitment to existing laws and treaties that ban torture and reject any reinterpretations of these laws and treaties that would allow it.

We cannot expect proper treatment of American detainees overseas if we do not provide proper treatment of detainees in our custody.

To excuse torture endangers the welfare of our military personnel.

To condone torture weakens our moral standing in the world.

To look the other way sends the wrong message, especially to the youth of our country.

Michael Gosch

Arlington Heights