this morning...
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/09/29/washington/29detain.html
(saw this and my morning intentions to finally make a list of places i want to go in sendai so i can go tomorrow were thwarted. follows the hastily written, but well-intentioned letter. i figured it's more important that the letter gets sent than that it's that well-constructed.. volume versus content, etc. what is going on? why in the world could this possibly be an ok thing for america to do?)
Dear Mr. Smith,
I was disappointed to read your name amid the 65 Senators who voted in favor of measure S.3930 yesterday.
Laws that make it United States policy to not allow suspects, even suspects in heinous and murderous crimes, access to basic judicial and human rights do not make anyone safer.
Instead, denying prisoners a habeas corpus right to challenge their detentions and allowing interrogation techniques that can be determined by the president fosters a sense of mistrust between the United States and other nations. (And that mistrust is in no short supply already, as evidenced by comments from leaders of Venezuela and Pakistan in the last two weeks. Whether or not these comments were based on truth or not, the fact that they were made indicates that other nations feel that the United States has overstepped its bounds in the name of fighting terrorism and protecting its citizens. And, as you know, opinions like that are what put Americans in danger of violence from terrorism.)
The way to create a safer America – and a more peaceful world - is by "setting a good example" - by embracing, not pushing aside, the important ideals of innocence until proven guilty, a fair trial and human rights and dignity.
I urge you to please reconsider your position on this issue and take steps to prevent the president from signing the bill into law. You're in a position to shape the way people around the world think of America; please use your power to help make "fairness," "freedom" and "human rights" a part of what America stands for.
Respectfully,
.....
"On behalf of President Bush, thank you for your correspondence.
We appreciate hearing your views and welcome your suggestions.
The President is committed to continuing our economic progress,
defending our freedom, and upholding our Nation's deepest values.
Due to the large volume of e-mail received, the White House
cannot respond to every message. Please visit the White House
website for the most up-to-date information on Presidential
initiatives, current events, and topics of interest to you.
In order to better receive comments from the public, a new system
has been implemented. In the future please send your comments to
comments@whitehouse.gov.
Thank you again for taking the time to write."
and, just now, a news story that the Senate approved 700 miles of fencing along the Mexican border... i'm going outside.
(saw this and my morning intentions to finally make a list of places i want to go in sendai so i can go tomorrow were thwarted. follows the hastily written, but well-intentioned letter. i figured it's more important that the letter gets sent than that it's that well-constructed.. volume versus content, etc. what is going on? why in the world could this possibly be an ok thing for america to do?)
Dear Mr. Smith,
I was disappointed to read your name amid the 65 Senators who voted in favor of measure S.3930 yesterday.
Laws that make it United States policy to not allow suspects, even suspects in heinous and murderous crimes, access to basic judicial and human rights do not make anyone safer.
Instead, denying prisoners a habeas corpus right to challenge their detentions and allowing interrogation techniques that can be determined by the president fosters a sense of mistrust between the United States and other nations. (And that mistrust is in no short supply already, as evidenced by comments from leaders of Venezuela and Pakistan in the last two weeks. Whether or not these comments were based on truth or not, the fact that they were made indicates that other nations feel that the United States has overstepped its bounds in the name of fighting terrorism and protecting its citizens. And, as you know, opinions like that are what put Americans in danger of violence from terrorism.)
The way to create a safer America – and a more peaceful world - is by "setting a good example" - by embracing, not pushing aside, the important ideals of innocence until proven guilty, a fair trial and human rights and dignity.
I urge you to please reconsider your position on this issue and take steps to prevent the president from signing the bill into law. You're in a position to shape the way people around the world think of America; please use your power to help make "fairness," "freedom" and "human rights" a part of what America stands for.
Respectfully,
.....
"On behalf of President Bush, thank you for your correspondence.
We appreciate hearing your views and welcome your suggestions.
The President is committed to continuing our economic progress,
defending our freedom, and upholding our Nation's deepest values.
Due to the large volume of e-mail received, the White House
cannot respond to every message. Please visit the White House
website for the most up-to-date information on Presidential
initiatives, current events, and topics of interest to you.
In order to better receive comments from the public, a new system
has been implemented. In the future please send your comments to
comments@whitehouse.gov.
Thank you again for taking the time to write."
and, just now, a news story that the Senate approved 700 miles of fencing along the Mexican border... i'm going outside.
posted by kathy at 12:32 PM
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