Letter: Ignoring accords makes us terrorists

Monday, Sept. 18, 2006 | 7:14 a.m.

In his Sept. 15 press conference, President Bush stated that the Geneva Conventions, in particular Article 3, was not clear to him and that he needed clarification because it was hindering his war on terror. I guess that I'm a little slow, because after reading it, the meaning seems very clear to me. Rather than paraphrasing it, here are the actual words from Article 3 that pertain to prisoners. The following acts are prohibited:

(a) Violence to life and person, in particular murder of all kinds, mutilation, cruel treatment and torture;

(b) Taking of hostages;

(d) The passing of sentences and the carrying out of executions without previous judgment pronounced by a regularly constituted court, affording all the judicial guarantees which are recognized as indispensable by civilized peoples.

The words "cruel treatment and torture," "humiliating and degrading treatment," and "judicial guarantees" all have well-defined meanings, not only from a dictionary, but from time-tested practice as well.

No, terrorists don't abide by the Geneva Conventions. But that's what makes them terrorists. Thanks to the current administration's policies, the world looks at the United States in a less than favorable light. What would they think if we adopted the ways of the terrorists?

This is yet another example of the Bush administration's total disregard for human rights (our own included). I am glad to see that some members from his own party are seeing through this sham. I sincerely hope that come November, enlightened voters will rid the House and Senate of Bush "yes men."

Jim Graham, Las Vegas