Defining Torture: Russian Roulette, Yes. Mind-Altering Drugs, Maybe.: "The memo starts by explaining that some acts may be 'cruel, inhuman or degrading' but not constitute torture under Section 2340, the federal law criminalizing torture. To rise to the level of torture, it argues, the acts must be of an extreme nature, specifically intended to inflict severe pain or suffering, mental or physical. But the statute is vague on the meaning of 'severe,' so the authors try to construct one."
Disgusting! This is disgraceful, degrading to all of us, and a profound insight into the Bush response to terrorism: destruction of civilized and human values, let alone the civil rights that form the foundation of the freedom that they are supposed to be defending.
- posted by geoff @ #