A brave and beautifully written op-ed piece by Bush 41’s former personal physician.
It’s precisely because of my devotion to country, respect for our military and commitment to the ethics of the medical profession that I speak out against systematic, government-sanctioned torture and excessive abuse of prisoners during our war on terrorism. I am also deeply disturbed by the reported complicity in these abuses of military medical personnel. This extraordinary shift in policy and values is alien to my concept of modern-day America and of my government and profession….
I urge my fellow health professionals to join me and many others in reaffirming our ethical commitment to prevent torture; to clearly state that systematic torture, sanctioned by the government and aided and abetted by our own profession, is not acceptable. As health professionals, we should support the growing calls for an independent, bipartisan commission to investigate torture in Iraq, Afghanistan, Guantanamo Bay and elsewhere, and demand restoration of ethical standards that protect physicians, nurses, medics and psychologists from becoming facilitators of abuse.
America cannot continue down this road. Torture demonstrates weakness, not strength. It does not show understanding, power or magnanimity. It is not leadership. It is a reaction of government officials overwhelmed by fear who succumb to conduct unworthy of them and of the citizens of the United States.
How long before Sean Hannity and Ann Coulter accuse him of treason?
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By Laowai 19790204
My take on this – that this is as close as we’ll see to disapproval from GW’s parents. I’ll bet you anything that GHW and Barbara are seriously critical of their son, but of course won’t say anything. I think this is as close as we’ll see – and I’d bet that the physician told GHW he was going to do it. Silent nods were had.
or maybe I’m guilty of fomenting a conspiracy theory. I can’t believe GHW and Barb are great GW fans though.
July 1, 2005 @ 4:41 pm | Comment
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By Other Lisa
I mentioned this in the earlier open tribune, but check this out: http://www.boomantribune.com/story/2005/6/30/175730/180
July 1, 2005 @ 6:55 pm | Comment
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By Other Lisa
That would be “earlier open THREAD.” Sigh. It was a bad day at the office, what can I say?
July 1, 2005 @ 6:55 pm | Comment
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By pete
It is about time that responsible people, including Republicans which I presume includes the good doctor, speak out about those abuses by our military and the complicity of the chain of command up to and including Bush.
Sure the right wing hachets will be out. But maybe some organization of good people will stand behind the doctor.
I note that the agressive rightists are continuing to bash the dissemination of liberal and progressive views as if there was some overarching intentional plan to create a mandatory liberal society in the States like those idiots want to IMPOSE their fascistic and ultra-conservative views on the US now. I grew up in a conservative household with a father who was rabidly anticommunist, a supporter of the John Birch Society ideas and definitely could not tolerate a Democratic or liberal/communist point of view.
I came to think the liberal/progressive ideas as a general matter simply were better. That’s how I have always thought that liberals’ and progressives’ ideas were disseminated and accepted. Now I think these neofascists and religious poops are trying to convince Americans it was/is a big conspiracy to force liberalism on all Americans. How low and despicable those peple are and how dangerous they are to a fair and balanced the body politic
July 2, 2005 @ 10:41 am | Comment