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Holder Speaks Out on Torture
Today the Department of Justice addressed concerns that we're still torturing under Obama (Further details)
Dean Boyd, spokesman for the US department of justice, said: "We will undoubtedly need the assistance of our close friends and allies as we work towards closing Guantánamo."
Eric Holder, Attorney General, said: "we, as average Americans, simply do not talk enough with each other about torture. If we're going to ever make progress, we're going to have to have the guts, we have to have the determination, to be honest with each other. It also means we have to be able to accept criticism where that is justified," Holder told reporters after the speech.
Oh wait, Holder didn't say "torture", he said "race".Never mind.
Dean Boyd, spokesman for the US department of justice, said: "We will undoubtedly need the assistance of our close friends and allies as we work towards closing Guantánamo."
Eric Holder, Attorney General, said: "we, as average Americans, simply do not talk enough with each other about torture. If we're going to ever make progress, we're going to have to have the guts, we have to have the determination, to be honest with each other. It also means we have to be able to accept criticism where that is justified," Holder told reporters after the speech.
Oh wait, Holder didn't say "torture", he said "race".Never mind.
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We shall see Desi, we shall see.
February 23, 2009 10:08 AM | Reply | Permalink
Apparently, Binyam has just landed back in Britain.
Some of his statement. "I have to say, more in sadness than in anger, that many have been complicit in my own horrors over the past seven years.... the people who were torturing me were receiving questions and materials from British intelligence.... Yet the very people who I had hoped would come to my rescue, I later realised, had allied themselves with my abusers.
"I am not asking for vengeance; only that the truth should be made known so that nobody in the future should have to endure what I have endured.... It is still difficult for me to believe that I was abducted, hauled from one country to the next, and tortured in medieval ways – all orchestrated by the United States government.
"While I want to recover, and put it all as far in the past as I can, I also know I have an obligation to the people who still remain in those torture chambers. My own despair was greatest when I thought that everyone had abandoned me. I have a duty to make sure that nobody else is forgotten."
Might be good if Holder made sure his own "Profile In Courage" chapter was a bit longer before turning up the lecture volume. That way he'd have more to stand on when telling others they need some courage. Not saying we don't need more all round - we do - but he's got the big job, so let's see him make a start.
February 23, 2009 10:13 AM | Reply | Permalink
And Holder seemed pretty unconcerned about his support for Chiquita paying off death squads (who may or may not have been helping Chiquita).
February 23, 2009 12:28 PM | Reply | Permalink
The DOD just issued a report that there were no race problems at Guantanamo. Case closed.
February 23, 2009 1:09 PM | Reply | Permalink
Unfortunately, inmates are not integrating properly on weekends, and will need a stern talking to.
February 23, 2009 4:30 PM | Reply | Permalink
Are you volunteering your services to inmates?
February 23, 2009 5:36 PM | Reply | Permalink
It's the least I can do, and I mean that realistically. Even pragmatically.
February 23, 2009 9:09 PM | Reply | Permalink
Good satire. Recommended.
February 23, 2009 6:36 PM | Reply | Permalink
This stuff really disheartens me. We don't talk about torture. I've seen it for years - blog threads which talk about torture don't get recs and don't get very many comments. People are either not interested or are completely overwhelmed or just plain ashamed or just don't give a freaking damn.
I wish it would just end. It's bad for our souls and our national karma. Like, really.
Desidero - you have not commented on my cat thread? Why? It's about Socks the beautiful kitty. Not as serious as torture, but still, a kitty. ;)
February 23, 2009 10:39 PM | Reply | Permalink
"Who can pass up a dead cat?", she asks. Well, good point, I stopped in, fouled the box, scratched my paw around the litter, and left my odor. Socks would be pleased, even though I'm unable to appropriately lick my own butthole. Pathetic humans.
February 24, 2009 10:14 AM | Reply | Permalink