Truth Yes - Torture No

Today I wanted to write on a somewhat different subject but I will have to save it for tomorrow because I have just finished reading an article by Senator McCain and reading an excerpt from his weekend talk show appearance. Let me first say that I respect Senator McCain for his service to country both as a fighting man and as a U.S. Senator. He has given as much and a lot more than many others in the defense of freedom. I also must say that I agree whole heartedly on his stance with regards to how this nation should treat their prisoners. In my case however that would mean prisoners of war as well as any other prisoners and it would mean all being treated humanely and that would mean no torture. Having said that I have to respectfully disagree with the Senators views on whether or not this administration lied in taking this nation to war. You may call what this administration’s practices anything you want but lies of omission and lies of shades of truth are lies. I do not wish to defend anyone in this post with regards to whether or not they had or had access to the same intelligence because I do not believe, and in fact know, that not all Senators and Congressmen and women have access to the same intelligence information. Nor do they have access to all of the same intelligence information which the President and Vice President have access to. What is most important to me is that the American people have a right to know that their Senate, Congress and President are taking them to war on reliable information and for a just cause. This administration has failed on both of those counts. In the case of going to war I believe it is the administrations responsibility to insure beyond any reasonable doubt the validity of intelligence and that it is presented to the Senate and Congress as such and they did not do so. They were incompetent and politically motivated in their intelligence gathering and decision making processes. Just watching the news and reading newspapers will tell you that. Also the fact that the highest levels of the administration would divulge classified information simply adds to the very serious doubts about the truthfulness of this administration. No Senator this administration is not being truthful and the Democrats are not being disingenuous when they say they did not have the same information or accurate information. Intelligence failures of the 10th magnitude yes but, as a direct result of incompetence on the part of those who lead. Get to the heart of it sir.

Lastly I would say to Senator McCain that this administration, though not directly but through political operatives, smeared you as an individual during the 2000 campaign and I for one do not understand how you could tolerate the slightest appearance of deception by this administration after such an experience. I would even go so far as to say it is disingenuous of you to stand on the stage or support a man who is capable of such crass and dishonorable behavior as that which has been put upon you and Senator Max Clelan. Do you want to be President so bad sir?

Those are The Sergeant Majors thoughts on that.