This should be simple: U.S. doesn't OK torture

Des Moines Register
Oct. 11, 2005

Does President Bush really want to be on record against language passed overwhelmingly by the U.S. Senate that would ban torture?

By a 90-9 vote, 43 Democrats and 46 Republicans voted last week to prohibit U.S. soldiers from torturing prisoners. Supporters included Majority Leader Bill Frist, who earlier worked against the measure. It bans "cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment of persons under custody or control of the United States government."

The vote was an act of defiance. The White House had threatened to veto the $440 billion military-spending bill if it included the amendment to ban torture. It supposedly would interfere with Bush's ability to conduct the war on terrorism.

As if torture, or the threat of torture, is a deterrent to an enemy — or in keeping with the image that America once had as a nation that sets a high standard for humane treatment.

The legislation follows the Abu Ghraib prison scandal in Iraq, revealed in graphic photos showing abuse of detainees. Sen. John McCain, who was tortured as a prisoner of war in Vietnam, is the main sponsor. It was endorsed by more than two-dozen senior retired military officers, including Colin Powell and John Shalikashvili, both of whom served as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

The measure would serve two purposes:

It would clarify rules for U.S. troops serving around the world by requiring use of only those interrogation techniques allowed by a new Army Field Manual.

And it would tell the world that America does not stand for torturing military prisoners. As McCain said: "Many of my comrades were subjected to very cruel, very inhumane and degrading treatment, a few of them even unto death. But every one of us — every single one of us — knew and took great strength from the belief that we were different from our enemies."

Now the measure goes to a conference committee. House legislation did not contain the anti-torture language. It is up to U.S. representatives to decide whether they, too, believe in prohibiting torture.

It shouldn't be a difficult choice.