Bryan Strawser – Page 32

A few questions for the Star Tribune

by Bryan Strawser · Nov 27, 2005

Today’s Minneapolis Star Tribune editorial is titled America’s Shameful Shift on Torture. It is quite possibly one of the most vile pieces of editorializing that I have seen in a long time. Some choice excerpts:

There is no escaping that this administration has undermined the nation’s highest ideals, thereby jeopardizing its moral leadership in the world. It is now clear that it also has jeopardized its ability to bring terror suspects to justice.

[…]

Then, early this month, the Washington Post exposed a secret string of CIA prisons in Eastern Europe and Asia where treatment most would term cruel, inhuman and degrading takes place.

There’s more, of course, but you’ll really need to read the editorial to get the full grasp of what I mean.

So, with that in mind, let me ask a few questions of the Star Tribune editorial board:

Is a terrorist subject to the Geneva Conventions?
Is a terrorist an unlawful combatant?
Can a person in US custody be turned over to a foreign government?
Does the answer to number three change if that government has a record for torturing persons in custody?
Can a person in US custody be turned over to a country that does not have the same protection for those accused of a crime as the United States?
If a soldier commits a crime – even a war crime – in Iraq or Afghanistan – does that mean that General Abazaid has commited a crime?
What about Secretary Rumsfeld?
How about President Bush?
What rights does a person in custody captured on foreign soil that may be part of Al-Qaeda have?

Rather than all of the random opining going on out there – let’s see them discuss some facts about what is and isn’t legal.. and take some hard stances.

Other Discussions: Rambix, Technorati

Asshats and Tools

by Bryan Strawser · Nov 27, 2005

Sarah, over at Trying to Grok decimates a writer and his letter to Stars and Stripes:

Actually, I know quite a few soldiers who joined “for flag and country”, and I know many who joined just because they wanted a job but end up staying for their country. My husband called the Army a “labor of love” the other day; he could get out and see what other jobs he could find, but he stays out of a sense of purpose and duty.

And, yes, I bet many of them would think you’re a tool.

You probably do indeed lack conviction. Not everyone considers it the Worst Possible Thing In The World to get deployed. Some people, my husband included, think it’s the most important thing they’ve done with their lives, and though they don’t necessarily cherish the thought of deploying for another year and missing out on their own wives’ puppy-dog eyes, they are more than willing to do whatever it takes to see Iraq succeed.

Democrats.org sucks

by Bryan Strawser · Nov 27, 2005

And no, it’s not just because it’s a website for democrats, run by democrats, but rather because it sucks.

I am doing a research paper for college on the USA Patriot Act and need dissenting voices. So I goto democrats.org expecting to be able to click a few links and find their position on the USA Patriot Act.

Do I find that? No.

What do I find? Nothing.

Why, you might ask? Because their website sucks ass.

I did goto the Electronic Frontier Foundation website. What did I find? A whole list of issues linked to news about those issues and clear statements on the EFF’s position.

And we wonder why the Dems have no traction? Why we can’t tell what they stand for?

One reason is that their website sucks ass.