The Tarnish of Torture
The McCain amendment requires a tough uniform standard for the interrogation of detainees and will prohibit "cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment" of individuals in "the custody or under the physical control of the United States government." It essentially restates what is already in U.S. law and our legal and moral commitments to international conventions on human rights. Almost 30 retired military commanders supported McCain's amendment.
Astonishingly, the White House has threatened a veto, claiming that the anti-torture provision would unduly "tie the hands" of the president in fighting the war on terrorism. Tie his hands? Isn't that what the rule of law is supposed to do? Is the administration actually suggesting it should be exempt from law? Perhaps. This is the same administration that launched an illegal war in Iraq and lied about why it was necessary.