BernieHund: The Political Watchdog

In his Saturday morning radio address President Bush announced that he had vetoed the bill that would prohibit waterboarding as a means of interrogation.

“This is no time for Congress to abandon practices that have a proven track record of keeping America safe,” the president said.

Is this another step in the wrong direction?  Definitely.

I thought most of the military officers had agreed that waterboarding does not enhance the quality of intelligence we receive from prisoners, detainees and enemy combatants.  And what does it say to the world?  Simply put, it says that all is fair in war.  Today, Bush spit in the face of the Geneva Conventions.  While in some instances it may increase the danger for any of our military who may be captured, it also tells the world that we, as Americans, are willing to lower our moral standards when it suits us. 

“The bill Congress sent me would take away one of the most valuable tools in the war on terror,” Bush said in his weekly radio address taped for broadcast Saturday. “So today I vetoed it.”

Today isn’t one of those days when I feel pride in our government.  We criticize and chastise other governments for their lack of humanity.  We deplore activities that do not conform to the Geneva Conventions.  Yet, the present administration continues to embarrass and humiliate our country in the eyes of the world. 

And, don’t forget that John McCain voted against this bill.  After all his “sincere” and “heart felt speeches” he voted for waterboarding as an accepted means of interrogation.