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Op-Ed : The Torture Moment
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by Karen Hatter | May 1, 2009 at 06:50 am
217 views | 33 Recommendations | 12 comments
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The author of this article offers that the media has not squarely shouldered their responsibility regarding the coverage of allegations of possible criminal activity that has arisen since the release of the so called torture memos, which document the Bush administration's Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA)'s exchanges of communications as they crafted what the Bush administration referred to as "enhanced interrogation techniques" . An excerpt from the article:
So we got CNN's Ed Henry mainlining a right-left 8-ball at Tuesday's press briefing, asking Robert Gibbs, "Is this an example of this White House giving in to pressure from the left?"
And we got the Washington Post's Dan Balz saying -- in two different pieces -- that Obama's release of the torture memos "has stirred a major controversy on the right and left."
According to Balz, "the anger on the right was expected. But Obama faces equally strong reaction from the left, where there is a desire to punish Bush administration officials for their actions... Obama owes his presidency in part to this constituency, who rallied to him during the battle for the Democratic nomination because he presented himself as a staunch and early opponent of the war in Iraq. Now they are demanding that he acknowledge their point of view."
Since when is the need to adhere to the laws that govern us a left-wing "point of view"? Is Thou Shalt Not Kill a "point of view"?
When the police arrest a rapist, is it because rape is inherently, inarguably wrong -- or because that's the cops' "point of view"?
Isn't torture one of those things where there really is no legitimate other side?
The original article, The Torture Moment, can be found here.
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Karen Hatter
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
Most RecentMost Recommended Comments (12)
at 09:56 on May 1st, 2009
If you quote the biblical text please quote in English accurately. Thou Shalt Not Kill is NOT the correct translation. It Is Thou shalt not MURDER. A very big difference.
at 10:03 on May 1st, 2009
The quote is not mine. Any issue with incorrect translation should be taken up with the author.
at 10:21 on May 1st, 2009
Actually, you are both right and wrong. In some versions, the word "murder" is used; in others, the word "kill" is used, especially in modern Protestant translations. The King James Version, on the other hand, uses "murder" (I looked it up in mine).
Considering the many translations and political filters the Bible has gone through over the ages, it is hard, if not impossible, to say which is the correct translation. There even are those who think it was originally written in English.
Wikipedia offers an interesting side-by-side comparison to show not even the Bible agrees on a common version of the Ten Commandments.
at 11:29 on May 1st, 2009
Thanks, Dunkelberg.
Good to 'hear' from you! Long time, no 'see' !
at 11:56 on May 1st, 2009
Ssshhhhhh.....
I wasn't here. You don't know me. Just hiding from black helicopters.
at 13:23 on May 1st, 2009
Hi Dunkelberg,
It's great to "see" you around again ...
at 21:17 on May 1st, 2009
Actually there is NOT two translations. Sorry. the original Hebrew clearly states MURDER. The subsequent English translations used both. But if you quote the Hebrew Bible or as the Christian world refers to it as the "old testament" then I humbly submit that there is ONLY one true translation. Read in the original Hebrew there is NO question. I can bring in tons of support but this is just the comment section.
I hope that this doesn't start a debate on the Bible and its translation. Every one is entitled to their translation that makes them comfortable. I just felt the need to give the "original" source and its meaning. Only because of the serious change in the nuance of taking a life. Both in war and on the streets of our cities.
I am not getting into the English changes of the word. The two are stark differences in their meaning and implication.
Hi Karen,
Sorry if you thought that I was accusing you of something. Just commenting on the article.
at 10:30 on May 1st, 2009
I thin it is a case of right vs. wrong, much more than left vs. right, however these issues do have a way of living in the political sphere and can be used as a tool for either side's argument.
Interesting piece.
at 11:30 on May 1st, 2009
Thank you, Amy.
at 13:20 on May 1st, 2009
Interesting discussion, although I'd venture to say that the point is not to argue the wording of the Bible, but rather the issue of torture, which this posting is about.
at 13:56 on May 1st, 2009
Good observation, Pythiian1.
at 21:13 on May 1st, 2009
However, clearly in the article this is a direct reference "Since when is the need to adhere to the laws that govern us a left-wing "point of view"? Is Thou Shalt Not Kill a "point of view"?" That is why I brought it up