John McCain: An Unserious Man in Serious Times [Jack M.]

I derive no great joy out of slamming John McCain. I admire his service to our country, and admire the way he conducted himself in the face of horrific torture and imprisonment by the Vietnamese.

Further, during my time on Capitol Hill, I had the occasion to talk with Senator McCain on several occasions, and I always found him to be a candid and funny individual.

But if this article in the Guardian is correct, Senator McCain should, in my opinion, no longer be considered a viable option in the 2008 Presidential campaign for anyone who takes the War aginst Terror/Islamofascism seriously.

Because, it is abundantly clear, that the Senator lacks seriousness on this fundamental issue.

We have all witnessed McCain's drive to weaken the torture standards that govern the conduct of our intelligence officers. But until now, most people didn't know what the tactics that constituted "torture" in Mr. McCain's mind actually were.

Now we do.

According to the Guardian, McCain believes that the following actions are torture which should be outlawed, regardless of the amount of intelligence they may produce, or the number of American lives that might be saved.

Do you agree with the Senator? Let's look at what he is upset about:

The techniques sought by the CIA are: induced hypothermia; forcing suspects to stand for prolonged periods; sleep deprivation; a technique called "the attention grab" where a suspect's shirt is forcefully seized; the "attention slap" or open hand slapping that hurts but does not lead to physical damage; the "belly slap"; and sound and light manipulation.

Induced hypothermia? Wow. Those drunks who take their shirts off at Green Bay games are tortutring themselves.

Standing for prolonged periods of time? Wow. Military Drills on Parade Grounds are now torture. Poor cadets.

Sleep Deprivation? Wow. Those 48-72 hour hospital resident shifts are, apparently, "torture" too. How did we ever develop the finest medical system in the world?

Grabbing a suspects shirt? Wow. Is it still torture if you are only grabbing it to tuck it in, Senator?

An "attention slap" that leads to no physical damage? Wow. I suppose when I clap, my hands are torturing each other.

The belly slap? Wow. Who knew that Moe, Larry, and Curly were really the most fearsome torturers since the Spanish Inquisition?

Sound and Light Manipulation? OK...I'll admit it here. Those Pink Floyd Laser Shows really are torture for anyone who is a) over 16, or b) sober.

That's it. That's what the fuss in the United States Senate is all about. The President believes that these techniques (which are less stressful than half of the fraternity stunts I was subjected to) should be available to glean information from terrorists.

Senator McCain believes they rise to the level of such egregious affronts to human dignity as to be forever considered beyond the pale.

I hope that Andrew Sullivan and Lindsey Graham can deliver a lot of votes for you, Senator McCain.

Because you are demonstrating, by your own moral preening, that you are manifestly unfit to be entrusted with the security of the American people in a time of war against the enemy we currently face.

Which is a shame. You could've been a contender.

UPDATE:Allah over at Hot Air posted a similar thread earlier this evening, which I missed reading in my rush to scarf wings and drink beer in advance of the Monday Night Football game. Just an FYI in case you were interested in seeing where the A-man comes down on this issue.

posted by Ace at 11:24 PM

| Access Comments