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Jay McDonough
Progressive Politics ExaminerJay began writing politically themed commentary and founded his blog, Swimming Freestyle, in October 2007. Here he'll write about politics from a progressive perspective.
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Progressive Politics Examiner
Mora: Abu Ghraib and Guantanamo Cause U.S. Combat Deaths
Jay McDonough - Progressive Politics Examiner
Former Navy Counsel General Alberto Mora was a top ranking Pentagon civilian lawyer who fought a two and a half year battle within the Pentagon over U.S. military policies on detainee interrogation methods. Mora was recently honored as a recipient of the John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage award. At the ceremonies, Mora said:
"We need to be clear. Cruelty disfigures our national character," Mora said. "It is incompatible with our constitutional order, with our laws, and with our most prized values. Cruelty can be as effective as torture in destroying human dignity, and there is no moral distinction between one and the other."Mora testified today at the Senate Armed Services Committee hearings on detainee interrogation methods. From his opening statement:
Mr. Chairman, our Nation’s policy decision to use so-called “harsh” interrogation techniques during the War on Terror was a mistake of massive proportions. It damaged and continues to damage our Nation in ways that appear never to have been considered or imagined by its architects and supporters, whose policy focus seems to have been narrowly confined to the four corners of the interrogation room. This interrogation policy – which may aptly be labeled a “policy of cruelty” – violated our founding values, our constitutional system and the fabric of our laws, our over-arching foreign policy interests, and our national security. The net effect of this policy of cruelty has been to weaken our defenses, not to strengthen them, and has been greatly contrary to our national interest.Mora, during his testimony, made several explosive charges today. Among those charges are Mora's assertion the use of harsh interrogation at Abu Ghraib and Guantanamo places U.S. forces at risk, and that some U.S. allies hesitated to engage in combat operations with U.S. troops if there was any chance that captured individuals might be interrogated by U.S. forces. Watch the testimony:
Topics: Torture , Guantanamo , Alberto Mora , Abu Ghraib
More from Progressive Politics Examiner
A Picture for the Day
Jay McDonough - Progressive Politics Examiner
Benjamin Arthur: "Fisher boys in a boat in the ethereal, magical Halong Bay in Vietnam" (Photograph: Benjamin Arthur) ... Read More
Topics: A Picture for the Day
Hey, Palin WAS vetted
Jay McDonough - Progressive Politics Examiner
In 2006 by Democrats. And it's not all bad news - she did some good things. Here's the full vet (PDF). Sullivan points to Palin's record on the Wasilla and Alaskan economy:Debt Service Increased 69 Percent Under Palin.In fiscal 2003... Read More
"They must think you're stupid"
Jay McDonough - Progressive Politics Examiner
It takes a quantum leap of faith to presume anyone, after spending 26 years on the job, will suddenly become an agent of change. John McCain's new "trust me, I'll change things" campaign might make some wonder why, if he's been so outraged,... Read More
Topics: John McCain , Barack Obama
Coming attraction: "Not Vetting Sarah Palin"
Jay McDonough - Progressive Politics Examiner
Coming soon to a theater near you(h/t Boing Boing)... Read More
Topics: John McCain , Sarah Palin
Please, not that American flag thing again.
Jay McDonough - Progressive Politics Examiner
There are, apparently, some out there still desperately trying to build a case that Democrats don't sufficiently respect the American flag. Just for the record, here are photos of John McCain and Barack Obama addressing the Republican and Democratic... Read More
Topics: American flags
Building the Palin narrative
Jay McDonough - Progressive Politics Examiner
Last night I posted a short piece on Alaska's executive jet and the urban myth being constructed about Sarah Palin selling the jet on eBay for a profit. It's untrue - the jet was not sold on eBay and it was sold at a loss. A reader commented:...you... Read More
Topics: John McCain , Sarah Palin
"What do you talk about when you can't explain"
Jay McDonough - Progressive Politics Examiner
Go Joe Biden. While Ms. Palin is esconced away (like a delicate flower), hidden from the press and interested voters hoping to learn something about her positions, the McCain camp and Ms. Palin apparently too afraid she would blow their carefully... Read More
Topics: Joe Biden , Sarah Palin
Zardari wins presidency of Pakistan
Jay McDonough - Progressive Politics Examiner
Asif Ali Zardari, widower of slain former prime minister Benazir Bhutto, won the presidency of Pakistan today. He has his work cut out for him; Pakistan has raging inflation, a Parliament split among rival parties, resurgent Taliban and al Qaeda... Read More
Topics: Pakistan , Asif Ali Zardari
Palin: No questions allowed
Jay McDonough - Progressive Politics Examiner
So much for transparency and respect for voters. According to Nicole Wallace of the McCain campaign, the American people don't care whether Sarah Palin can answer specific questions about foreign and domestic policy. According to Wallace -- in... Read More
Topics: Sarah Palin
