Close inspection of a compromise bill on detainee rights shows that only the President of the United States will have the ability to define which detainee interrogation techniques are legal under the Common Article 3 of The Geneva Conventions. Harsh interrogation techniques such as waterboarding and stress position are considered forms of torture by many experts. However, the compromise reached by Republicans in the Senate gives the Bush Administration the power to legalize questionable form of torture interrogations.
In the following video report, Jon Stewart, host of The Daily Show, takes a look at the compromise bill agreed to by Republican Senators who had initially "revolted" against the Bush Administration's hard line.
"And the administration isn't just getting it from the Supreme Court, but from within their own party, in the form of Republican Senator Judas, Benedict Arnold, and, of course, Whiney McTraitorface who openly defied the president by supporting anti-torture legislation the president vowed to block," Stewart said, referring to GOP Senators Lindsey Graham, John Warner and John McCain.
"Would the Senators hand the president a huge victory and the keys to Washington?" asks Stewart. "Or would President Bush be allowed to put the Electrodes of Freedom onto the Testicles of Terror?"
Stewart also highlights statements by Secretary Condoleezza Rice, who attempted to cast doubts on President Clinton's claim that the Clinton administration passed plans to the Bush Administration for combating al Qaeda. Jon Stewart concludes that Rice's attempted smearing of Bill Clinton may be be less than truthful.
A transcript follows the video report.
PARTIAL TRANSCRIPT
MR. STEWART: ...people keep throwing obstacles in their way. People like the Supreme Court.
BEGIN VIDEO TAPE
MR. BUSH: This debate is occurring because of Supreme Court's ruling that said we must conduct ourselves under the Common Article 3 of the Geneva Convention.
END VIDEO TAPE
MR. STEWART: [Imitating Bush] "I hate that Convention. I was at that convention. Worst strippers ever." So, why would upholding the Geneva conventions be a problem, again?
BEGIN VIDEO TAPE
MR BUSH: And that Common Article 3 says that there will be no outrages upon human dignity. It's, like, very vague. What does that mean? "Outrages upon human dignity. That's a statement that's wide open to interpretation."
END VIDEO TAPE
MR. STEWART: [Imitating Bush]"I give you an example. Alright, look at this. Ok. Ok. [Viewing picture of torture at Abu Ghraib] Some people say that's torture. To, me that looks like cheer leading practice. Its vague." And the administration isn't just getting it from the Supreme Court, but from within their own party. In the form of Republican Senator Judas, Benedict Arnold, and, of course, Whiney McTraitorface who openly defied the president by supporting anti-torture legislation the president vowed to block. Would the Senators hand the president a huge victory and the keys to Washington? Or would President Bush be allowed to put the Electrodes of Freedom onto the Testicles of Terror?
Close inspection of a compromise bill on detainee rights shows that only the President of the United States will have the ability to define which detainee interrogation techniques are legal under the Common Article 3 of The Geneva Conventions. Harsh interrogation techniques such as waterboarding and stress position are considered forms of torture by many experts. However, the compromise reached by Republicans in the Senate gives the Bush Administration the power to legalize questionable form of torture interrogations.