Who are we anymore?

Just in case anybody missed it, Congress is trying to get an amendment into the 9/11 Commission legislation (because who could vote against that?) which would legitimate torture. Specifically, the provision would authorize extraordinary rendition, which means that we could export our prisoners to countries where torture is legal.

Clearly this is against everything that America has tried to stand for. It is also in conflict with such pesky constraints as international law and the principles of human rights.

Needless to say, this amendment is opposed by the 9/11 Commission, the American Bar Association, and the US Conference of Catholic Bishops (links to those and much other information here). However, the Justice Department supports it. eesh.

This bill, and this amendment, are in the midst of fierce debate, largely along party lines (and largely under the media radar). Act now! If you place any value on civil liberties and human rights, write your representative! If you need a sample letter, here's one from Obsidian Wings:

I am writing to you to express my strong opposition to Sections 3032 and 3033 of H.R. 10, the "9/11 Recommendations Implementation Act." Section 3032 and 3033 would make it legal for the Secretary of Homeland Security to deport people to be tortured in other countries. We call this "extraordinary rendition", but a more accurate term would be "outsourcing torture." The 9/11 Commission itself opposes Section 3032 and 3033.

Please vote in support of Representative Edward Markey's amendment to remove Section 3032 and 3033 and replace them language outlawing "extraordinary rendition" from his bill, HR 4674*.

Your vote on this issue will strongly influence my vote on election day.

Go, go!
And don't forget to vote these bastards out of office in November!!!