Wednesday, May 16, 2007
Republicans Love Torture
This was, hands down, the most frightening display at last night's Republican debate:
[C]andidates were asked whether they would support the use of waterboarding — a technique, defined as torture by the Justice Department, that simulates drowning and makes the subject "believe his death is imminent while ideally not causing permanent physical damage."
Both former mayor Rudy Giuliani and Rep. Tom Tancredo (R-CO) suggested they would support using the technique. Specifically asked about waterboarding, Giuliani said he would allow "every method [interrogators] could think of and I would support them in doing it." Tancredo later added, "I’m looking for Jack Bauer," referencing the television character who has used torture techniques such as suffocation and electrocution on prisoners.
Bad enough that Giuliani and Tancredo are such enthusiastic proponents of torture, but the really frightening part was the bloodlust in the audience, who went wild after these statements. In contrast, the one candidate who could speak with true authority on the issue, John McCain, was met with stony silence when he expressed his opposition to torture.
Watch the response to Giuliani here:
Labels: Republicans, Rudy Giuliani, torture
