For civil libertarians, the decision by President Obama to bar the prosecution of Bush officials for the torture program was always a flagrant choice of politics over principle. Now a poll ratifies that decision. A poll commissioned by the Chicago Council on Global Affairs found that Americans are accepting torture in greater numbers. The study also shows a decrease in support for Israel in any military conflict and two-thirds saying that they would like the U.S. to be neutral in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
On torture, Americans still reject its use for terrorists by a margin of 56 percent to 42 percent. However, the support for torture “has increased by 6 points since 2008 and by 13 points since the ques tion was first asked in 2004.”
This has always been the concern among civil libertarians: that the Bush program would make torture less of an obvious taboo. This problem has become magnified with Obama who has shielded Bush officials from prosecution while people like Dick Cheney proudly speak publicly about their use of waterboarding. The result is an implied message that torture is allowed or tolerated under some circumstances.
The poll seems to reaffirm a famous passage from Louis Brandeis in Olmstead v. United States, 277 U.S. 438 (1928):
“Decency, security, and liberty alike demand that government officials shall be subjected to the same rules of conduct that are commands to the citizen. In a government of laws, existence of the government will be imperiled if it fails to observe the law scrupulously. Our government is the potent, the omnipresent teacher. For good or for ill, it teaches the whole people by its example. Crime is contagious. If the government becomes a lawbreaker, it breeds contempt for law; it invites every man to become a law unto himself; it invites anarchy. To declare that in the administration of the criminal law the end justifies the means — to declare that the government may commit crimes in order to secure the conviction of a private criminal — would bring terrible retribution. Against that pernicious doctrine this court should resolutely set its face.”
Source: Rawstory
Maybe they won’t be back tonight what with the Chambliss trace and all …. we’ll wait and see …
Elaine M. “…easy to spot”
The spelling is a clue too. The spelling in the above example you posted (“junky”) would be funny if it wasn’t just pathetic.
I’ve also noticed the correlation between hot button issues and The Professors appearances on TV bringing out the trolls. They’re just basement warriors with more time than language or logic skill; it’s sad that they do actually hijack a thread.
Elaine,
I remember reading that … or, truth be told … scanning that. Once they start sinking into that language I scan rather than read … I will happily view you as a member of Buddha’s camp … would you like a tin foil hat made by the loving hands of my grandchildren? … wearing it makes you invisible … they are fashioning one for Buddha .. it’s a real fashion statement due to the tea bag fringe.
Loved your post about the anti-gay post that was traced back to Saxby Chambliss’ office. Gosh, I wonder if our IT lurker played a role in that uncovering.
Blouise,
I’m honored to be in good company with Buddha. Here is what one of the trolls said to me recently: “since it has now been accepted that u are jus another stonehead, junky bitch any right you have to propriety is long gone”
I have a good sense of humor and don’t have thin skin so comments like that just make me shake my head and wonder what kind of miscreant gets kicks out of making insulting comments like that to a person whose views differ from his/hers.
New bloggers aren’t the problem. It’s the trolls with arrested development issues who think using insults and vulgar language makes them look mature and macho. They are usually easy to spot.
Congratulations Gyges.
Woost,
It seems to be part of the pattern … come on the blog … go after Buddha … lose the argument … go for the porn references … I don’t know if it’s the same person or group of persons or different people but I do know the pattern is there.
I’ve only been on this blog blogging for about a year … I spent 6 months reading only … I started recognizing the pattern a couple months ago but couldn’t figure out why it is happening … still don’t know for sure but I have my suspicions … to quote the green guy, gotta keep fighting the big lie.
Next time the Prof is on TV or in the news … people will come to read the blog and the porn group will return.
I don’t want to be overly suspicious of new bloggers so I take each one seriously until proven otherwise … of course an easy hint is porn references to Buddha … they just can’t seem to help themselves.
Gyges,
“the world’s happiest Toddler will have a sibling sometime next spring”
CONGRATULATIONS!
Seconded.
Woosty,
Well, maybe I’m a tad prudish because I think there were several comments posted at the Turley blawg in the past week that were vulgar and tasteless. I don’t blow fuses–I just feel disgusted.
W=c,
No apology required and while I appreciated your defense, I am sorry it made you uncomfortable. If you feel that urge to make yourself uncomfortable again, sentence yourself to 15 minutes in “The Comfy Chair”. It’ll pass. 😀
BiL,
thanks for the cranky fix….very apropos because i did indeed have my ‘prude hat’ on this morning….my apologies to all for the blown fuse. In all honesty though, I just don’t see the need for the nasty edge swords…even trying it on made me uncomfortable.
Buddha,
Consider it done … they will be thrilled
Off to dinner … my house guest has experienced a Friday Night High School Football Game, the Rock Hall, The Science Center and other assorted venues of learning, Playhouse Square, a couple jazz clubs, West Side Market, boating on the Lake and now it is time for Fahrenheit Restaurant in Tremont … I looove company … I mean that, I really do like getting back to all the local sights
Blouise,
I would be honored to have a hat made by children with the advanced manufacturing techniques required to render the wearer invisible.
Buddha,
I have this great tin foil hat trimmed in tea bags … when I put it on all thoughts of torture disappear and it protects me from the poisons of jet streams and I become invisible … drones can’t find me. All the grandkids have one … may they make one for you?
Gyges,
Congratulations! More little Gygeses are a good thing.
And I’ll keep my eyes open for both the Lem and the brew.
Blouise,
😉 The Big Lie is always the enemy. 😀
Buddha,
By the way I was agreeing with you … I reread the post and … oh, never mind … time to embark on my daily drone spotting exercise
Gyges,
Blessings abound … congratulations …
for those in the Cleveland area “he Bruery’s Rugbrod” can be found at Heinen’s
Gyges,
“the world’s happiest Toddler will have a sibling sometime next spring”
Congratulations!
” Unfortunately repeated assaults on the truth require repeated reprisals lest the big lie take hold.” (Buddha)
In my opinion it is the big lie itself that must be taken seriously irregardless of the personality spouting it … to note … 42% of those polled now support the use of torture … an increase by 6 points since 2008 and by 13 points since the question was first asked in 2004
Buddha,
Completely off topic: Just got a copy of Lem’s “Memoirs found in a Bathtub.” I highly suggest you do the same (of any of his books really, but that’s my favorite).
Even more off topic: Just had a bottle of The Bruery’s Rugbrod to celebrate my continued evolutionary success (the world’s happiest Toddler will have a sibling sometime next spring). I suggest picking up a bottle if you can find it.
http://www.thebruery.com/beers/index.html