25 October 2005

Cheney: human rights for some

Cheney Plan Exempts CIA from Bill Barring Abuse of Detainess
By R. Jeffrey Smith and Josh White
Washington Post Staff Writers
Tuesday, October 25, 2005; Page A01

"The Bush administration has proposed exempting employees of the Central Intelligence Agency from a legislative measure endorsed earlier this month by 90 members of the Senate that would bar cruel and degrading treatment of any prisoners in U.S. custody."

Reading this causes me physcial pain. It is complete madness! Haven't we learned anything? At the end of World War II, some very wise people composed a document to safeguard the right of all people. I guess it's antique and cute. The U.S. is now one of the torturing countries. I'm so proud. Bush's "beacon of freedom" talk is just that -- talk.

From the Preamble to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (emphasis is mine):

Whereas recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world,

Whereas disregard and contempt for human rights have resulted in barbarous acts which have outraged the conscience of mankind, and the advent of a world in which human beings shall enjoy freedom of speech and belief and freedom from fear and want has been proclaimed as the highest aspiration of the common people,

Article 5 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights:

    No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.


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