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A “Compromise” on Torture

At Slate, Alexander Dryer makes clear what I and many others suspected, that when push came to shove the Republican Mavericks would cave. They did. They not only found a way to allow Bush to continue torturing people and evading the Geneva Convention, they did so in a way that will make it easier for Bush to hide that truth.

I will admit that my first thought when I started this blog in my head was to say this: “If anyone wants to know why I don’t think Republican moderates matter, here’s the proof.” And that is true. However, standing alone that statement is a distortion of a more complex, and infinitely sadder reality.

First of all there are the Democrats. Really, they exist. And a few, most consistently Russ Feingold of my fair state, have actually taken a stand on this issue that mattered. Most happily ducked this debate, just as they have ducked in the past. Oh, it made strategic sense to do so. The Republican division was convenient politically, and it gave political cover for opposing America’s use of torture for a bit. That way they could hold on to voters like me.

“Political cover for opposing . . . torture.” That is why the surrender of McCain and company and the cravenness of most Democrats are not the whole story. The politicians and research wonks of both parties have put their fingers to the wind and decided that torture helps the president and the Republicans. And I guess they are right.

Oh, it can’t be called torture. And there are still limits. The CIA can’t boil people alive. Barring rendition, of course.

I live in a country in which a majority of citizens are willing to torture to secure a slightly greater illusion of safety. The majority of our national politicians accept this. I guess that way they all can settle back in peace and watch 24.

So that is why I am sad.

Posted on Friday, September 22, 2006 at 1:22 PM | Comments (23) | Return

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