Treatment of Those Who'd Prefer Us Slaughtered

Our sister blog has chimed in on the Durbin issue. If you've been offline for the past two days, Sen Durbin has started a firestorm on the right by (what the right claims) comparing the US treatment of terrorists to Nazis, Soviet gulags and friendly despots like Pol Pot. I welcome the divide on this argument. It is a winner for us. The left's stance on the GWoT netted us seats in 2002, more seats and the presidency in 2004 and is sure to help us in 2006. Pat Ruffini says why. Dave claims this has resulted in... [H]owls of phony indignation form the right wing media machine. The next quote is from Kos... and it's a humdinger! The torture that was so bad under Saddam, is equally bad under U.S. command. And Dick Durbin had the balls to say it so on the Senate floor. Emphasis is mine... all mine. There you have it, folks. We're cutting off limbs, raping, gassing, killing, maiming and God knows what else down at Gitmo. Yep - we're just as bad as Saddam. That sums up the far-left's stance of the war and they have no problem spreading such devoid-of-any-reality shit around. Then, right on cue, the claim that "if you aren't serving in the armed forces, you should enlist or STFU" makes it's lauded appearance. And these cowards -- these people who will neither serve the cause they claim is so vital, nor urge others to serve it -- now rush to defend behavior that is indefensible? There is no moral compass anymore. The behavior of those that would just as soon have us wiped from the earth isn't considered inasmuch the behavior of the ones holding those at bay. I'm tired of this - I'd actually support beating the shit out of these butchers that have no protection under any "rules of war" because they follow no rules. We treat them better than some homeless in our country. The simple fact is that this stance stems only from the thought that any U.S. policy under Republican terms MUST BE COUNTERED AT ALL COSTS. Really, what is the Right trying to accomplish here? Inflict so much pain on Durbin that others will think twice before they levy legitimate criticisms of the war? Are they so hell-bent on their political correctness that any criticisms of the war effort is considered treasonous? I just hope that the left lines up behind Durbin's speech and thoughts so we can strum them like a cheap fiddle next year. I also hope some Rep senators step up with the balls to call Durbin out on his diatribe and to draw the line and let the voters take sides. Less divisive politics? Fuck it. The left couldn't be delivering more Reps to office if they all worked for Fed Ex. Well, I stand with Durbin. Proudly. Because opposing torture is the Right Thing, despite violating the wingnut manual of political correct speech. And the rest of the Senate Democratic caucus better be standing with him as well. Out-fucking-standing. Dave adds... All that sounds about right. When you lower yourself to a standard that doesn't allow much distinction between you and what you are fighting against, you have already lost. And those who defend torture (or denounce those who oppose it) do not represent what this country is about. They are, however, cowardly bullies. Most of us know precisely the distinctions between us and those that are against us. We've seen or heard of the beheading videos. We see the civilian carnage they inflict. And we all remember where we were when four planes were used to kill 3000+ Americans. I refuse to make the comparison between our "behavior" at Gitmo and those murderous and tortuous regimes of eras past. Do I defend torture? If our methods of detainment at Gitmo are the gold standard, then yes I do. If that makes us bullies, then feel free to Paypal me your lunch money. I also await the day Tom finishes basic, so he can rip plenty of new assholes for all those that claim only that those that serve can be supportive or critical. Since I cannot, apparently... because I have not served. Friday Update: Ace has a good soundbite ... Massive round-up at Malkin, including contact info for that true patriot, Dick Durbin... More: In the comment I link above (that true patriot), JP states If America doesn't keep to the high ground in this war of ideas she will find herself sinking, struggling, drowing in a moral dispair, thrashing about with mighty arms, but powerless to rise above those who hate her. As far as the full-scale war goes, we were hit first hit on 9/11 and it had nothing to do with prisoner treatment. How disinginuous is it to suggest that treating those that hate us, have always hated us and will always hate us well will have any effect whatsoever? The GWoT will continue regardless if we detain, release or execute on the spot. This is an outstanding propaganda catch for our enemies and our own Senators are joining in. TONIGHT ON AL JAZEERA: EVEN U.S. SENATORS DENOUNCE U.S. TORTURE/CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY AT GITMO... Back to MAIN page