Interrogation Memos Detail Harsh Tactics by the C.I.A.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/17/us/politics/17detain.html?hp

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---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: barry levine <levinebar@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, Apr 16, 2009 at 7:32 PM
Subject: re: Interrogation Memos Detail Harsh Tactics by the C.I.A.
To: letters@nytimes.com


To the Editor:

   It would be innovative to absolve torturers of guilt because they were ignorant of the law. To absolve them because they proceeded on bad legal advice seems to be a distinction without a difference. However that plays out in our own courts, our treaty obligations remain the "supreme law of the Land". As signatory to the 1984 Conventions on Torture, we are obligated to charge and try or extradite those who violated our treaty obligations. I am embarrassed that our own department of State has intimidated a Spanish Court into blocking the trial of the "Bush Six". It would be a stupid use of scarce diplomatic capital to engage in a broad cover-up of the crimes of the last administration.

Barry Levine