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March 07, 2007
Do As I Say, Not As I Do
Continuing to use torture under the guise of trying to extract information from prisoners (or 'detainees,' although I fail to understand that distinction) in spite of overwhelming evidence that the accuracy of any information gathered through torture is suspect, seems to indicate an underlying penchant on the part of the torturer for simply imposing suffering on others. It is undignified for any country to practice it, and citizens around the world should not tolerate its being conducted by their governments.
The Mexican government has been accused by groups such as Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch of systematic torture and corruption for many years. It appears that there is at least some lip-service being paid to the idea that torture is no longer practiced here, but rumors persist that it does indeed continue. Indeed, one of the central claims of protesters in Oaxaca is that the government there is holding and torturing political prisoners, and that is a big reason they are actively fighting to oust the governor, Ulises Ruiz.
It is not out of line for other governments around the world to call on Mexico to stop human rights abuses. But does anyone else find it hypocritical that the State Department of the United States condemned Mexico this week for using torture when the CIA kidnaps people, takes them to secret prisons and regularly uses interrogation techniques like water boarding and 'the cold cell?'
And where are the Americans protesting their government's use of torture? Are they really all that apathetic, or is the media just burying them under more sensational stories like the death of Anna Nicole Smith?
Posted by crispy at March 7, 2007 04:46 PM
Comments
There are plenty of protests in Amerika. They do no good in our oligarchy but are still allowed.
I've been against Gitmo from the start, but our techniques are more civilized than most.
That's why we invented renditions! The most extraordinary yet!
Posted by: Mark Allen at March 7, 2007 09:15 PM
Hi Crispito--From the little box-thing that popped up after my first comment, I assume that you'll see this (although I have no idea what a 'TypeKey Identity is).
I just wanted to let you know that I discovered your blog/journal/travelogue by linking from Thorn Tree and to let you know how much I enjoyed reading your past entries. I've added you to my favorites/bookmarks list so I will be checking frequently to see what you've written and hope you will continue to post your interesting observations.
[crispy says: Thanks! A TypeKey Identity is a way for people who read and comment frequently on numerous blogs to maintain a consistent identity on all of them without having to enter their information on each individual blog. You don't need one to comment here, and in fact, I can't seem to get that stuff working for this blog anyway.]
Posted by: D. Blodgett Jr. at March 8, 2007 06:27 AM
Hey America, you're so FINE, you're so FINE you blow my MIND, America!
Posted by: Jon at March 9, 2007 02:19 PM