Pundit Review Radio: The debate over detainees
Sunday Evening 7-10pm EST
Streaming live on Boston’s Talk Station WRKO
There is much debate over the Bush proposal for military tribunals and interrogation techniques.
At the center of this debate is how to interpret Common Article III of the Geneva Convention:
In the case of armed conflict not of an international character occurring in the territory of one of the High Contracting Parties, each Party to the conflict shall be bound to apply, as a minimum, the following provisions:
(1) Persons taking no active part in the hostilities, including members of armed forces who have laid down their arms and those placed hors de combat by sickness, wounds, detention, or any other cause, shall in all circumstances be treated humanely, without any adverse distinction founded on race, colour, religion or faith, sex, birth or wealth, or any other similar criteria.
To this end, the following acts are and shall remain prohibited at any time and in any place whatsoever with respect to the above-mentioned persons:
(a) violence to life and person, in particular murder of all kinds, mutilation, cruel treatment and torture;
(b) taking of hostages;
(c) outrages upon personal dignity, in particular humiliating and degrading treatment;
Here is a round-up on online links and blog commentary.
The official position of the Bush administration is here. A strong blogger defense of the president’s position from Powerline is here.
Liberal blogger Marty Ledermen says the central question is this,
Should the CIA be legally authorized to breach the Geneva Conventions by engaging in the following forms of “cruel treatment” prohibited by “common” Article 3(1)(a) of those Conventions?:
– “Cold Cell,” or hypothermia, where a prisoner is left to stand naked in a cell kept near 50 degrees, during which he is doused with cold water.
– “Long Time Standing,” in which a prisoner is forced to stand, handcuffed and with his feet shackled to an eye bolt in the floor for more than 40 hours.
– Other forms of “stress positions” and prolonged sleep deprivation, perhaps akin to “Long Time Standing.”
– Threats of violence and death of a detainee and/or his family.
The Washington Post this morning says Tribunal Dispute Could Ruin GOP Strategy
What do you think? Let us know tonight at 7pm est. You can do so by calling 877-469-4322.
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September 17th, 2006 at 4:35 pm
GWB v McCain: Voice Your Opinion Tonight on NS…
Tonight there will be a three hour debate on who has a better plan to keep us safer. Will it be President Bush? Will it be John McCain? Or maybe a Democrat? Voice your opinion tonight between 7-10pm EST on Pundit Review’s Radio Program. (You should r….
September 23rd, 2006 at 10:28 pm
On 9/11 the cruelest torture was inflicted on almost 3000 people. Passengers in three planes watched and some fought back as their planes were crashed into buildings and the ground. As this happened thousands of others at their desks, at their restaurants, posts, and just starting their day were burnt alive. That is what most SANE AMERICANS DO consider Torture. Previous to this Incident of torture hundreds of innocent people were blown up overseas..on cruises and on vacation. Some were on a Naval vessel..Before then Israeli Athletes at the Olympics were killed..there were NO overwhelming reasons…not reasons SANE people would understand..We think they all were TORTURED…Sadly, the SICK MUSLIMS who did this were not ACCUSED of TORTURE..Danny Perl’s throat slashing on Arab TV was NOT CONSIDERED TORTUE..nor the brutal treatment of numerous others. So I suggest that the CIA follow the Accepted practices used by ISLAMIC TERRORISTS..saw off the heads of your captives, starve them..NO BIBLES OR SHOULD I SAY KORANS..strap them tightly with explosives, put explosives in their shoes and threaten to detonate them at a safe distance..and if asll else fails..PUT THEM IN AN AIRPLANE OR TWO and aim at a MOUNTAINSIDE..AND HAVE A GOOD LAUGH AS YOU PARACHUTE AWAY WATCHING THEIR PLANES EXPLODE INTO FLAMES… This is apparently ACCEPTABLE TREATMENT…No Waterboarding, Cold Rooms or degrading them..especially NO WOMEN INTERROGATORS.. The Geneva Convention..vague as it is DOES NOT APPLY TO TERRORISTS AND THEIR METHODS…only to those of who Wear Uniforms..but Terrorists MUST get better treatment then the Soldiers “suspected” of crimes..
DOES SEN MC CAIN REALLY THINK TERRORISTS WILL TREAT US BETTER? IS HE REALLY WORRIED ABOUT OTHER MILITARIES IN THE FUTURE FOLLOWING THE GENEVA CONVENTIONS. JUDGING BY THE TREATMENT HE RECEIVED AND THE TREATMENT MANY OTHERS RECEIVED in Other Recent Wars….I FIND HIS THOUGHTS TO BE EXTREMELY NAIVE! NO WONDER THE ISLAMICS THINK WE WILL CUT AND RUN…HERE IS A BUNCH OF PEOPLE..NOT IN UNIFORM..INTENTIONALLY KILLING INNOCENT CHILDREN AND THEY ARE GETTING BETTER FOOD, HOUSING AND MEDICAL TREATMENT…I HADN’T REALIZED THAT THEY SIGNED THE GENEVA CONVENTIONS OR WERE CITIZENS OF THE US…I DEEPLY RESENT MY TAX DOLLARS BEING WASTED ON SUCH VULGAR LUNATICS…
I certainly hope that these Terrorists are NEVER put in my CARE…Mr. Mc Cain would cry like a baby if he knew what I would do to these throat cutters!