By PLS
Hurrah—and thanks to all the Americans, individual and institutional, who have taken an unequivocal stand against torture for the past few years.
Above all, thanks to Senator John McCain. Despite enormous pressure, especially from the Vice President, he stood his ground. As a result, we will have a law expressly prohibiting cruel, inhumane and degrading treatment of suspects by US personnel. The law will apply to prisoners held in the US or abroad.
Think of it! No more Guantanamos. No more Abu Graibs. No more excruciating embarrassment when the US Ambassador presumes to lecture the Iraqi Provisional Government about torturing prisoners in its custody. No more wanting to hide in shame when the European Parliament investigates the alleged existence of secret US prisons in Eastern Europe.
I can almost imagine representing the US with some sense of self-respect again.
But some loose ends need to be cleared up.
Condoleeza Rice needs to clarify the evasive language with which she discussed renditions before, during and after her visit to Europe earlier this month.
We need to find out what those rogue representatives of the US, CIA or otherwise, promised to Poland and Romania (or any other countries) in return for allowing the US to operate secrete prisons on their territory.
We need to keep a careful watch on Rep. Duncan Hunter, chairman of the House Armed Services Committee. He vows to prevent a vote on the anti-torture provisions unless the new regs permit "the same high level of effective intelligence gathering." He could sneak in a loophole large enough to allow waterboarding or worse.
We need to know the fate of the prisoners hastily transferred from those East European prisons to North Africa. We also need an accounting of any other renderings. Who is where and how precisely are they being treated?
Think of it. Once torture's no longer possible, we'll be able to permit the unannounced, anywhere-on-the-premises inspection of detention centers demanded by the International Red Cross and other human rights organizations. We'll have nothing to hide anymore.
Once again, the US will be able to speak out for human rights and not be met with a sneer or charges of hypocrisy.
I can't imagine a better Christmas/Hanukkah/Kwanza present.