Torture and Intent

Have you seen this article?

CNN: Previously secret torture memo released

"Because specific intent is an element of the offense, the absence of specific intent negates the charge of torture," Jay Bybee, then the assistant attorney general, wrote in the memo.

The 18-page memo is heavily redacted, with 10 of its 18 pages completely blacked out and only a few paragraphs legible on the others.

Another memo released Thursday advises that "the waterboard," or simulated drowning, does "not violate the Torture Statute."

My initial reaction is both anger and the reiteration of the understanding that under Bush, the US has truly degenerated.

This is a disgrace. The idea here is that if you think that what you are doing is not bad then its all ok. This is the legal wordplay these brilliant wordsmiths invented.

They are making a case for giving legal abstinence from criminality for any intentions. Simply state that your intentions were pure and you can waterboard, sodomize, electrocute, and beat anyone. Simple as that.

Exactly which wires have become disconnected to produce such sickening sycophantic thought.

I'm reading this thing with my jaw open. The arrogance for and dismissive attitude towards fundamental moral blocks of open and democratic principles is criminal. I am convinced, these jokers belong in jail. The so called legal experts that threw this crap on the ceiling demand disbarment. Kick these jokers out, revoke their collective citizenship. Set them adrift far from civilization.