« Lessons To Remember | Main | The New Iraq? »
By Their Deeds Ye Shall Know Them
Across the world, the United States is becoming increasingly identified as a nation that condones and conducts torture. This morning find three stories in the headlines which demonstrate this point. One story is from India, one story is from Sweden, and the last story is from Michigan.
Headline, NY Times, Guantánamo Comes to Define U.S. to Muslims.
NEW DELHI, May 20 - In one of Pakistan's most exclusive private schools for boys, the annual play this year was "Guantánamo," a docudrama based on testimonies of prisoners in Guantánamo Bay, the United States naval base in Cuba.
Accusations of abuses at the American detention camp at Guantánamo Bay in Cuba permeate media in various countries. An image of a detainee was televised Friday on a program on Al Jazeera. The cast was made up of students between 16 and 18 years old, each playing the role of a prisoner being held on suspicion of terrorism. To deepen their understanding of their characters, the boys pored through articles in Pakistani newspapers, studied the international press and surfed Web sites, including one that described itself as a nonsectarian Islamic human rights portal and is called cageprisoners.com.
Headline Washington Post, New Swedish Documents Illuminate CIA Action
Probe Finds 'Rendition' Of Terror Suspects Illegal.
STOCKHOLM -- The CIA Gulfstream V jet touched down at a small airport west of here just before 9 p.m. on a subfreezing night in December 2001. A half-dozen agents wearing hoods that covered their faces stepped down from the aircraft and hurried across the tarmac to take custody of two prisoners, suspected Islamic radicals from Egypt.
Inside an airport police station, Swedish officers watched as the CIA operatives pulled out scissors and rapidly sliced off the prisoners' clothes, including their underwear, according to newly released Swedish government documents and eyewitness statements. They probed inside the men's mouths and ears and examined their hair before dressing the pair in sweat suits and draping hoods over their heads. The suspects were then marched in chains to the plane, where they were strapped to mattresses on the floor in the back of the cabin.
So began an operation the CIA calls an "extraordinary rendition," the forcible and highly secret transfer of terrorism suspects to their home countries or other nations where they can be interrogated with fewer legal protections.
Headline, The Grand Rapids Press, Calvin Professor Speak Out Against Bush Visit.
GRAND RAPIDS -- Calvin College professors Randal Jelks and Ruth Groenhout are inviting an intellectual discussion about President George W. Bush's appearance at the school's commencement Saturday.
In a widening pushback on all college campuses, conservative religious Calvin College students and faculty take out a full page ad in the newspaper, critical of the Bush administration on their torture policy and an array of other moves that they view as not in keeping with the Christian faith. The ad is as follows:
"By their deeds ye shall know them," reads the paid advertisement, quoting the Bible. "Your deeds, Mr. President -- neglecting the needy to coddle the rich, desecrating the environment, and misleading the country into war -- do not exemplify the faith we live by.
"Moreover, many of your supporters are using religion as a weapon to divide our nation and advance a narrow partisan agenda. ...We urge you not to use Calvin College as a platform to advance policies that violate the school's religious principles."
"By their deeds ye shall know them".
Let's hope so.
I wonder if the selection of Calvin College was a dig at Jim Wallis? By protesting Bush's visit, the folks at Calvin College show that Religion is not the domain of the Repub right.
I am really proud of them and having gone through this is the '60's, realize that once the road to activisim starts, the journey lasts a lifetime.
Posted by: battlebob at May 24, 2005 12:33 PM
I'm wif ya, burfday boy.
Thanks mOnKey....
The main thing is keep having them!
Way to go Calvin College! It's nice to know some Christians still peek their heads out from behind the knuckleheads in command.
Slightly off topic here, but I have to laugh a bit when these evangelical leaders preach. They are so angry, so vindictive, I have to wonder if they know their own spirit at all. I suppose true spirituality is harder to teach and reach than is guilt and fear.
BTW, happy birthday Battlebob!
Thanks Mark...No candles on the cake.
Don't want to set off the smoke alarm.
The language of evangelical leaders is the topic of debate in a lot of churches - even those who consider themselves evangelical.
Churches that loose the spirit of God tend to disappear. After all, what purpose does the serve?
Self-examination should be done periodically anyway and many conservative members are protesting the change in the mission of churches.
IMHO, in the long run, this will make for a stronger church community that is more aware of Christianity’s teachings.
Happy B-Day BB!!!
...and many more...wah wah wah...
Monkey...
*tap tap tap*
...spinal even Nigel
There's a Happy Birthday Battlebob thread in the DCP Family Forum. And the front page today is for all of you.
A GOP leader today said a bill to expand federal funding for stem cell studies would dismember "living human beings." Other lawmakers argued it was wrong to withhold money for research that might cure disease. House Majority Leader Tom DeLay called the debate a necessary step "in our national conversation about the kind of people we will be." President Bush last week threatened to veto the measure.
(p.s. tap tap back atcha Indy... love always, Derek)
Posted by: MoNkEy at May 24, 2005 02:21 PM
Monkey,
Are you listening to this Rep Todd Akin from Missouri?
OMG...he's is sounding like a whacko! And he's reading a "clone story" that his kid wrote.
Gee...can you say, "he brain washed that kid into feeling that way about stem cell research". And only one set of hands applauded after his "mock" story.
"By their deeds ye shall know them".
Let's hope so.
Posted by Casey L. Morris at May 24, 2005 12:15 PM
Awesome!! Absolutely AWESOME! Wheaton College had a similar view last week, and it is a conservative Christian college.
Last week I emailed EVERY SINGLE ONE of my self-righteous, indignant, (blind) Pharisee acquaintences the Wheaton College article. Today they are about to receive the Calvin College article. I have been and will be sending both articles to those who used to drink the Kool-Aid and are waking up.
Funny story: Yesterday I drove my elderly relatives all the way to Fargo for a dr.'s appointment. This couple is NOT the couple who have begun to see the light. My elderly aunt watches the 700 Club regularly, and her favorite cable news channel is Faux. Well, wouldn't cha know it - An 8 hour car trip with me led of all things - to a discussion on politics and theocracy. My aunt was in the back seat and we started out discussing our individual viewpoints. The discussion started out in low tones, and as our discussion escalated, so did our voices!! When we got home my uncle said "I thought you guys were gonna end up in a fight today." I said, "Yes, but we didn't." He said "You both stood your ground."
Posted by: Truth Shall Prevail at May 24, 2005 03:08 PM
Is this Wheaton College in Wheaton, illinois?
If so, two of my nieces go there. Wallis spoke there in February to a packed house.
This very conservative school was founded by Jonathan Blanchard who was an abolitionist and social reformer. It sounds like the students are going back to their roots.
American Teenagers in Iraq and Afghanistan have no leadership. They are creating their realities because a lack of moral and ethical standards exist. If a General stands up and speaks the truth regarding Iraq, he is summarily excused from Honorable service, in front of the Nation and indeed the world.
So what is the underlying message to the rank and file troops? That truth is the first casuality of War. If the soldier does not want to be ridiculed and humiliated, they must live with the lie. They must create fantasy regarding the situation in Iraq and play along with inept strategy the White House has created.
From this point, is torture and debasement so hard to accept? one lie becomes another until there is no truth other what the soldier is left to create. There is no moral or ethical compass to follow.
This is not an excuse, it is an accusation and statement directed towards this Administration. Our leadership has chosen a path that has no commendable ending, based on lies and deceit. This Leadership created a War to justify an Agenda driven by Religious Political alliances.
Exactly how are unfortunate soldiers placed in a situation of this nature expected to act? We are not only creating an Entire Generation of "insurgents" in Iraq, we are creating a Generation of veterans that will be left to deal with that experience long after they come home.
God bless this nation, but give us the strength to change its course.
BB. Happy Birthday. Yes it is the same Wheaton College. BTW, my office is on Blanchard Avenue in Wheaton. I have tried to get my cell to make a presence at WC, but the effort has been slow to materialize.
Thanks Oncall.
Mary got me a great T-Shirt..
"If it ain't broke, fix it until it is!"
That these kids are evening listening to another view is amazing to me. If they are like my niece, they come from families from the far right. To even listen to opposing views is a big deal.
My family is hung up on gays and abortions. I mentioned Wallis and the New Testament teachings and get a blank stare. They must have slept thru that part of bible study.
Posted by: battlebob at May 24, 2005 03:23 PM
BB, I went back to take a look at the article again, and it looks like my previous email to my acquaintences was about Calvin, also. I know I saw something involving Wheaton not too long ago, and have been looking for it, but have been unable to find out what it was today. So for now, I think it best I retract my Wheaton College statement until further research. Apologies.
Posted by: oncall at May 24, 2005 03:47 PM
Anybody else seen a Wheaton College story?
Is this the Wheaton story? There is a push to change their mascot, the Crusader, to something more friendly. http://www.wheaton.edu/alumni/mascot.html
...push to change their mascot, the Crusader, to something more friendly.
Posted by: Mark at May 24, 2005 04:44 PM
I can hear the cheerleaders now... "Here we go Liberators, here we go!"
Well THAT didn't take long...
Frist issues new warning on filibusters
Senate majority leader says he will seek rule change
if Democrats continue blocking judicial nominees
By Tom Curry
National affairs writer
MSNBC
Updated: 5:00 p.m. ET May 24, 2005
WASHINGTON - In the afterglow of the bipartisan accord announced Monday night to avert a Senate showdown on changing the filibuster rule, Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist emphasized Tuesday that he wasn’t a party to the deal and would quickly try to implement the rule change if Democrats resumed use of the filibuster to derail President Bush’s judicial nominees.
Frist’s proposal, which he calls “the constitutional option,” and which his foes call “the nuclear option” would lower the threshold for ending Senate debate on a judicial nominee from 60 to 51.
Monday night’s bipartisan deal prevented a vote on Frist’s proposal, as seven GOP senators promised to vote against it.
“The constitutional option will be used if… mindless, irresponsible filibusters become the tool of choice for the Democrats,” Frist told reporters.
Read more... http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/7967386/
Frist calls for Cloture on Myers, breaking terms of the deal.
He couldn't keep his word for 24 hours...
http://thinkprogress.org/index.php?p=956
I say the Democrats walk. Now. And they don't go back.
Posted by: Victoria ellen at May 24, 2005 05:54 PM
I agree, RUN, don't walk to the nearest exit.
But Frist didn't break his word, he was never party to the agreement yesterday, and signaled immediately (see my post @5:20) that he still had his own agenda on this matter.
He must be Frist Off
Ok, so I just read Frist's statement from last night... I stand corrected, he indeed broke his word.
But then again, his word never meant much to me.
Posted by: mOnKeY at May 24, 2005 06:02 PM
He's trying to incite things and then blame the democrats.
I really think patience would look better on our side. Keeping our cool and letting them keep digging their hole.
Right now, the Democrats and Moderates are showing grave respect for the Constitution; whereas, Frist is starting to self-implode.
Posted by: Suz at May 24, 2005 06:07 PM
That's a good point Suz... it appears the only one going nuclear is Frist, although I heard it's optional.
Senator Frist is no longer Senate Majority Leader but mouthpiece for the Dobsonian Sect of the Extreme Right. He is about to Implode, because he no longer serves the Government He serves a Religious movement. As any Evangelical can tell you, no Man may serve Two Masters. He has chosen, and he is beholden to them.
The Nation is watching the Senate strain under the influence of Religious Extremism, and Senator Frist is about to lose control as Majority leader. The Nation is about to see the uncompromising and sheer ruthlessness that the Fanatical Religious Politicians demand.
Senator frist should be asked to step aside and allow a Seasoned Republican Senator that places the Nation ahead of their own aspirations to lead.
The Senate is being managed like a Circus,as the world watches clowns running our Government.
Enough.
Toolmaker,
Maybe everyone should start calling the Senate Republicans and demand McCain replace him.
Suz, I like your idea. Ed said several times today that the big winner in all of this is McCain. I couldn't agree more. With this move he makes the Republicans look more moderate than they are; he gives the impression that the Republicans are moving away from the theocratic tendencies that were visible during the Schaivo period, and now with this nuclear option. Moderates who were growing uncomfortable with their Republican party are now sitting back with a sigh, content again.
by: Amy at May 24, 2005 06:43 PM
Amy,
I say a little "party shake up" on the Repubican side is a GREAT thing for this country. That will equilize the power!
Hmmmmmmm--THAT is a really interesting and creative idea Suz.
You know, I think that sounds like a THREAD. And one THAT COULD GO AROUND THE LEFT BLOGESPHERE...
Long time, no post. Busy with issues, local politics, and so on.
I am about to write my newsletter and confused about whether we caved, and depends on the many ways to look at it. So many emails from activists groups trying to encourage us further, and then we have columnists paid to vent without solution.
We try to dtermine how the GOP are faring, and it's always many ways at once. I am sure the master puppeteer is placating and balancing the religious right and moderates intentionally, breaking the rules and boxing us in as to having to keep them.
I've never hated until now. My job in life is to make excuses for people, but not the last few years.
Marjorie, It's way too early to tell what the comrpomise means. I like to think that the Dems decided that if they were going to lose the filibuster, they should do it in the middle of a fight over a Supreme Court nominee, and not this group of losers. The struggle over the last few weeks has highlighted how much Frist and the Rs are puppets of the theocratic right. As opponents of converting the US into a theocracy, we have to follow up in every way we can to drive home the message that the very survival of our democracy is at stake.
http://www.wheaton.edu/alumni/mascot.html
Posted by: Mark at May 24, 2005 04:44 PM
That wasn't the article I think I remember reading, but this is a good, inspiring article anyway! It gives me hope! Thanks, Mark!
I can hear the cheerleaders now... "Here we go Liberators, here we go!"
Posted by: mOnKeY at May 24, 2005 04:51 PM
"Here we go, Spreaders of Democracy and Freedom, give me a D....give me an E..."
Where Do We Go From Here?
I think one of the more interesting things to come out of the filibuster debate is this: I don't remember the last time a legislative standoff resulted in both sides claiming defeat. It's true. The blogosphere yesterday, on both the left and right, was filled with irate rantings about giving up on the parties, never voting again, not one thin dime, etc...
What this tells me is that the public is in fact, more - not less - polarized than our elected representatives.
Which brings me to where we go from here.
When the filibuster debate comes back, and it will, what should the Democrats do?
They should walk out. Together. As a group. And they should hold a press conference. I have taken the liberty of preparing their statement, to be issued on the front steps of the Capitol.
"Democratic Senators represent the views of roughly half of this nation. If our colleagues will not allow these views to be heard, we see no reason to be here. It's clear that extremists in the Republican party will not stop until they have total control over this body, and all dissent has been silenced. Our Senators therefore will be leaving the Capitol, and meeting to pursue the agenda of working Americans: National Security, jobs, the economy, health care and energy needs. We will return when this body returns to the business of the American people, and rejects the extremism that has overtaken the Senate. Thank you."
C'mon 2006....