Senate passes bill on terror trials

The "Decider" will now be the person deciding what is or is not torture. What happened to checks and balances?

Senate passes bill on terror trials - Politics - MSNBC.com

Just Say No...to Torture

"Physicians for Human Rights (PHR) today urged all members of Congress to vote against the Military Commissions Bill this week. PHR is gravely concerned that the bill allows coerced testimony to be admitted in trials, eliminates the right of habeas corpus and could authorize the continued use of tactics that amount to torture and cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment.

This 'compromise' bill hands the President, who has repeatedly authorized abusive and illegal interrogation tactics, the power to reinterpret Common Article 3 of the Geneva Conventions," stated Leonard Rubenstein, Executive Director of PHR. "If passed, much of the abuse of the past five years, particularly the CIA's so-called 'enhanced interrogation methods,' could be interpreted by the President to be officially sanctioned, with immunity granted for these violations of US and international law, even retroactively."

More information here:
PHR Calls on Congress to Vote Against Military Commissions Bill

I cannot believe we even have to have a debate about this subject. How far down have we fallen as a nation?

Faithless - "Mass Destruction"

Whether long range weapon or suicide bomber
Wicked mind is a weapon of mass destruction
Whether you're soaraway sun or BBC 1
Disinformation is a weapon of mass destruc
You could a Caucasian or a poor Asian
Racism is a weapon of mass destruction
Whether inflation or globalization
Fear is a weapon of mass destruction

My dad came into my room holding his hat
I knew he was leaving,
he sat on my bed told me some facts, son.
I have a duty, calling on me
You and your sister be brave my little soldier
And don't forget all I told ya
Your the mister of the house now remember this
And when you wake up in the morning give ya momma a kiss
Then I had to say goodbye

In the morning woke momma with a kiss on each eyelid,
Even though I'm only a kid
Certain things can't be hid
Momma grabbed me
Held me like I was made of gold
But left her inner stories untold
I said, momma it will be alright
When daddy comes home, tonight

Whether long range weapon or suicide bomber
Wicked mind is a weapon of mass destruction
Whether you're soar away sun or BBC 1
Disinformation is a weapon of mass destruc
You could a Caucasian or a poor Asian
Racism is a weapon of mass destruction
Whether inflation or globalization
Fear is a weapon of mass destruction

Whether Halliburton or Enron or anyone
Greed is a weapon of mass destruction

We need to find courage, overcome
Inaction is a weapon of mass destruction
Inaction is a weapon of mass destruction
Inaction is a weapon of mass destruction

My story stops here, lets be clear
This scenario is happening everywhere
And you ain't going to nirvana or farvana
You're coming right back here to live out your karma
With even more drama than previously, seriously
Just how many centuries have we been
waiting for someone else to make us free
And we refuse to see
That people overseas suffer just like we
Bad leadership and ego's unfettered and free
Who feed one the people they're supposed to lead
I don't need good people to pray and wait
For the lord to make it all straight
There's only now, do it right.
Cos I don't want your daddy, leaving home tonight

Whether long range weapon or suicide bomber
Wicked mind is a weapon of mass destruction
Whether you're soar away sun or BBC 1
Disinformation is a weapon of mass destruc
You could a Caucasian or a poor Asian
Racism is a weapon of mass destruction
Whether inflation or globalization
Fear is a weapon of mass destruction

Whether Halliburton or Enron or anyone
Greed is a weapon of mass destruction

We need to find courage, overcome
Inaction is a weapon of mass destruction
Inaction is a weapon of mass destruction
Inaction is a weapon of mass destruction

Ali Farka Toure

A great loss to the world. Such powerful music. I never got to see him live, nor did I see John Lee Hooker, or Nina Simone before they passed away. I do regret...