To Our National Shame, America Codifies Torture

As expected, the Senate sent the despicable detainee interrogation bill to the president’s desk last night. See its horrifying provisions here.

As long as this law stands, we too shall stand in forfeit of the moral high ground in this struggle. It’s a sad day for our once-proud republic.

AP:

President Bush can count on Congress for the sort of military tribunals he wants, although the White House likely will have to await a lame duck session after the election to get authorization for warrantless wiretaps.

Both chambers this week approved legislation that sets up “military commissions” to prosecute terrorists. It also would prohibit the severe abuse of detainees, like mutilation and rape, but grant the president leeway to decide which other interrogation techniques are permissible.

The Senate’s 65-34 vote on Thursday followed a House vote of 253-168 on a nearly identical measure a day earlier. To avoid having to reconcile differences between the two bills, which were described as minor, the House planned to vote Friday on the Senate bill and send that version to the president to sign.

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