Saturday 11 September 2010

Obama - deeds not words

The Obama's administration's decision to challenge a court ruling that would allow torture victims to sue the company who flew them around the world is disgraceful. It says a lot about the actual values of the current administration. 

The appeal court unfortunately succumbed to the 'national security' line peddled once more by agents of the 'land of the free.' 

All of these abuses happened under the odious Bush regime. Obama had the chance to launch a clean slate. But yet again the siren songs and wormtongue machinations of the spooks weave their spell. Justice and transparency fly out of the window. Innocent victims of the policy of 'black' prisons, rendition flights and torture, are denied their day in court. 

This in the country that holds itself up as the hope of the free world, the 'city on the hill', the last bastion of democracy and the 'rule of law.' Hogwash.

The 1791 US Bill of Rights, "prohibits the federal government from depriving any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law." The Bill of Rights formed the basis of the US Constitution. The Eighth Amendment of the Constitution declares it illegal to use, 'cruel and unusual punishment.'

At the inauguration, an incoming President promises to uphold the Constitution. Obama did not not add a rider, "unless in the interests of national security."

The founding fathers would have been disgusted but not surprised by the Bush regime. 

They would be ashamed at the pusillanimous attitude of President Obama. 

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