Orwellian Law
Allows Torture

I have become more and more dismayed and disillusioned as time and the war in Iraq have continued. In my opinion, our pre-emptive attack on Iraq, under false premises, was a huge mistake and has meant enormous sacrifice for many families, as more and more soldiers have died (more now than the number of people lost on 9/11), as we have become less safe, and as many thousands of Iraqi civilians have been killed or traumatized, as well. 

I didn't think things could get much worse, but in what seems downright Orwellian, I find that I have lived to see the day when the country I love and have felt stood for certain standards of humanity and ethical behavior has seen fit to pass legislation allowing the President of our country to redefine the word "torture" to enable us to actually sanction treatment that can, in all honesty, be called nothing else BUT torture.

Although I know I have a reputation as being politically "liberal" - whatever that actually means, for most of my adult life I have seen myself as an independent and have had no qualms at all about voting for a Republican, when that seemed appropriate.

I honestly feel, though, that if we are to regain the moral ground we have lost, in this particular election it is important for all of us who are aghast at where we seem to be headed to do what is necessary to change the complexion of the Congress which has enabled it.

Betty Edson

Randolph