Wednesday, February 13, 2008
I Stand Against Torture, Except When I Don't
There's one thing going for John McCain, we keep saying. He stands against torture. In an age when the White House seeks to make the practices of Torquemada a legitimate interrogation method, McCain, who's experienced torture first-hand, has stood firm against its use by the government.
At least, when he talks, he does. When he votes, he sometimes falters. Remember the Military Commissions Act? McCain bows to a bill that denies habeas corpus to Guantanamo prisoners, and he's hailed as a "maverick" by the press.
Well, the maverick strikes again. The Senate voted today to ban the use of waterboarding in interrogating terror subjects. The measure passed, by 51 to 45. But guess who wasn't on the winning side?
Mr. McCain, a former prisoner of war, has consistently voiced opposition to waterboarding and other methods that critics say is a form torture. But the Republicans, confident of a White House veto, did not mount the challenge. Mr. McCain voted “no” on Wednesday afternoon.
Yup. Even when the issue is pretty much declared to be pointless, McCain will still buck with pressure and go along with the GOP lockstep. It's practically become second nature by this point. But to see McCain bend on torture, the one issue he claims to hold himself above all others on? It's just sickening.
At least, when he talks, he does. When he votes, he sometimes falters. Remember the Military Commissions Act? McCain bows to a bill that denies habeas corpus to Guantanamo prisoners, and he's hailed as a "maverick" by the press.
Well, the maverick strikes again. The Senate voted today to ban the use of waterboarding in interrogating terror subjects. The measure passed, by 51 to 45. But guess who wasn't on the winning side?
Mr. McCain, a former prisoner of war, has consistently voiced opposition to waterboarding and other methods that critics say is a form torture. But the Republicans, confident of a White House veto, did not mount the challenge. Mr. McCain voted “no” on Wednesday afternoon.
Yup. Even when the issue is pretty much declared to be pointless, McCain will still buck with pressure and go along with the GOP lockstep. It's practically become second nature by this point. But to see McCain bend on torture, the one issue he claims to hold himself above all others on? It's just sickening.
Comments:
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You are absolutely right - he's no maverick, he is a trick pony.
And I still cannot figure out why the Fundies hate him. He is no different from Bush or any other carry-us-straight-to-the-gates-of-hell-in-a-handbasket neo-con.
How the HELL did he win all those blue state primaries when Ron Paul was on the ticket? Ugh. I'm SO moving to Canada.
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And I still cannot figure out why the Fundies hate him. He is no different from Bush or any other carry-us-straight-to-the-gates-of-hell-in-a-handbasket neo-con.
How the HELL did he win all those blue state primaries when Ron Paul was on the ticket? Ugh. I'm SO moving to Canada.
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