FUSsa-talk Mailing List: Fwd: OK'ing torture

[Robert Tapp (tappx001]

Begin forwarded message:

> From: Robert Tapp <tappx001 [at] umn.edu>
> Date: January 31, 2010 4:41:35 PM EST
> To: Humanist Institute Discussion List <hidisc [at] humanistinstitute.org>
> 
> Many of us have been waiting for the investigation of how the Bush 
> administration came to employ torture and justify its use. Clearly Jay Bybee 
> and John Yoo were involved. Apparently the awaited critique of their legal 
> counsel has now been softened. 
> 
> What terms should be applied -- recognizing that terms have consequences. How 
> about <poor judgment> rather than <professional misconduct>?
> 
> Maybe the released report will be even more exculpatory than the version here 
> discussed by journalists Michael Isikoff and Daniel Klaidman?
> 
> What term should subsequently be applied to those who acted upon their advice 
> (Bush, Cheney, Powell, Rove)?
> 
> We can hope that Holder and Obama realize the harm that has been done to the 
> US reputation around the world  by our torturing (and the fact that some 
> conservatives have even been forced to gulp and say waterboarding isn't 
> really torture!). Unless prosecutions at the top ensue, no gain. And maybe 
> those poor Abu Ghraib enlisted personnel should have their sentences revoked 
> and be released from prison?
> 
>       
> http://blog.newsweek.com/blogs/declassified/archive/2010/01/29/holder-under-fire.aspx
> 
> Bob