GOP’s new campaign pitch: Dems aren’t pro-torture enough

October 18, 2006

Now that the White House torture bill is law, it was only a matter of time before the vaunted Bush political machine decided exactly how they’d use this new power — not against detainees, but against Democrats.

Karl Rove got the ball rolling in an interview with the far-right Washington Times:

“It is useful to remind people what [Democrats] said and what they do. I think they have given us here, especially in the last couple of weeks, a potent set of votes to talk about. You had 90 percent of House Democrats voting against the terrorist-surveillance program, nearly three-quarters of Senate Democrats and 80 percent of House Democrats voting against the terrorist-interrogation act. Something is fundamentally flawed.”

The “terrorist-interrogation act”; I’m surprised these clowns didn’t come up with that sooner.

Abramoff-buddy Ken Mehlman, not to be left out, sent out an email to RNC members today on the same issue:

“There is nothing more important than protecting the American people and ensuring that we have the intelligence we need to stop attacks on our homeland. The vast majority of Democrats in Congress did not agree. Shockingly, 84% of the Democrats in the House voted against interrogating terrorists, as did 73% of the Democrats in the Senate.

What would these guys do without their demagoguery?

Dems don’t agree with protecting the American people? Why yes, that is “shocking.” It’s shocking that Ken Mehlman, who should probably spend more time worrying about getting indicted and less sending out slanderous emails, could be so breathtakingly stupid. It’s equally shocking that Mehlman would put such stupidity in print.

In one sense, I’m glad. It’s actually helpful for Republicans to characterize the issue this way. To support the American rule of law is to support terrorists’ rights. To believe in habeas corpus is to believe that we should go without life-saving intelligence. To reject torture is to reject national security. It must be delightful to be a so conservative, where the only thing that matters is what Karl Rove tells you to think today. Consider all the free time you’d have once relieved of the burden of thinking….

I should add that Mehlman’s RNC email went on to argue that Democrats opposed the torture bill “out of concern for terrorist civil liberties.” It prompted Brendan Nyhan to note:

Apparently, Mehlman thinks terrorists should have no civil liberties. But more importantly, what about the civil liberties of those people who are interrogated using these techniques and turn out to be innocent? Isn’t it possible that Democrats were concerned about them too?

Nope, it’s not possible at all.

To borrow a phrase, a benumbed nation can only look on in horror at what has become of the Republican Party.

It’s shocking that Ken Mehlman, who should probably spend more time worrying about getting indicted and less sending out slanderous emails, could be so breathtakingly stupid.

To be fair, he’s probably more worried about being outed and losing his job in the coming “Pink Purge” of the Republican Party than being indicted.

One crisis at a time, dude.

  • Isn’t it amazing that all of these church people think TORTURE is a good thing. What is wrong with them. How godly is it to torture somebody?
    Michele Bachman gave a speech in a church this weekend about how she prayed for two days and god told her it was her duty to run. This church needs to start getting taxed!

  • I think that is a great blunder for the republi-thugs to call the contents of that bill to the attention of the American voters. Most voters have been blissfully ignorant of this nonsense, but if they are made to examine the actual facts, I doubt that the Dems will lose. Perhaps this is wishful thinking, but I think a close examination of that bill will just add more fuel to the firestorn that is already raging around the republican congress and republican administration. Wait until Americans find out that it isn’t just “those foreigners” who are vulnerable, but they are also vulnerable. To quote our President, “bring it on.” It’s time the people learned the facts.

  • they’re taking their orders from a traitorous dirtbag who deliberately destroyed a covert CIA operation devoted to stopping the flow of WMDs to Iran, in an effort to cover up the fact that his boss lied us into the Iraq war.

    The Republicrooks are blocking all investigations of this crime, and many others.

    And they want us to think they’re the ones who are going to make America safer?

    LOL.

  • THIS IS KARL ROVE’S OCTOBER SURPRISE. (It’s all they got)

    I’ll bet the the Democrats also have a surprise. It’s called: “Round Two of the Big Dog’s Autumn 2006 Pushback.” Bill Clinton would love to take a hickory switch to these shits (Rove and Mehlman).

  • Wait until Americans find out that it isn’t just “those foreigners” who are vulnerable, but they are also vulnerable.
    Comment by Gracious

    Great point, Gracious. That will bring it home to voters. Torture. It’s not just for foreigners any more.

    Political Ad Idea: An average American sitting on a couch watching Dubya on TV. Each time Dubya says one of his straw men lies, the man on the couch getting increasingly frustrated yells, “Who” “Who doesn’t want terrrorists arrested?” Who doesn’t want terrorist surveilled?” Finally he gets a knock on the door and two CIA guys are there. they say, “We hear you’re asking a lot questions.” Okay, the idea needs to punched up a bit. “Rewrite!”

  • MNcowboy says

    Isn’t it amazing that all of these church people think TORTURE is a good thing. What is wrong with them. How godly is it to torture somebody?

    Unfortunately, Christianity is based on the concept of torture. Eternal torture, no less. God promises to torture anyone who doesn’t believe in a book of fairy tales. Some modern Christians try to act like this isn’t the case, but they’re ignoring a lot of the Bible.

  • “We will look back on this day as a stain on our nation’s history.”

    – Russ Feingold on Bush’s signing of the War Crimes Amnesty Act.

  • I was surprised that during a VA Senate debate Allen accused Webb of supporting Specter regarding habeas corpus. Instead of jumping back at Allen, Webb gave some lame reply regarding our troops and Geneva conventions….

    I’m not outraged at Rove, I expect him to do dirty tricks. I’m outraged that Dems at large don’t respond forcefully the way Feingold or Leahy would do…

  • I’ve got a feeling that deep down torture is just fine with an overwhelming majority of Americans, especially when they believe national security issues are at hand.

    It goes back to that you don’t have to worry if you aren’t hiding anything philosophy that makes my head spin.

  • I won’t bother pointing out this is an almost laughable line of bullshit since every one else has that all wrapped up. I think it’s interesting who Karl “Tiny” Rove and Melonman are talking to: The WaTi’s subscriber list is composed of people who are willing to lay all the world’s evils on the nearest Democrat doorstep. It’s owned by the Rev. S.J. Moon for chrissakes! Then you’ve got Melon telling the RNC the same lies it has already told itself a million times before. It is the same reason for Rush Limpbag thinks he’s such a big player all of a sudden because every hot shot in GOP ass hat wants to talk to him.

    The Rethugs are reaching out only to other Rethugs and in the case of the WaTi, “shockingly” stupid Rethugs. It seems they are not so much trying to win elections or increase public approval or get anything done, they are just desperate for someone to talk to and the only people who will listen without asking awkward questions or throwing rotten fruit are the 28% (or less) who think ShrubCo really was sent by God to deliver us from Osama, gay people and stem-cell research fiends.

    Attention Ladies & Gentlemen! The 5.15 Express to Political Oblivion is now leaving. All abooooard!

  • Wait until Americans find out that it isn’t just “those foreigners” who are vulnerable, but they are also vulnerable.

    You give too much stock to the media.

    Only blogs have covered that aspect. The corporate “journalists” (and I use that term loosely) — and even NPR, at least this morning — glossed over the bill and what it really means.

    When I explained it to my sister (who watches the news often) she said, “But they didn’t say that on NBC!”

    I responded: “And that surprises you because … ?”

    She now balances her network news watching with blog reading.

    One down, nearly 300 million to go …

  • To all “supposedly” christians: God does not do torture! Jesus does not do torture! No proper christian would condone torture – so it is simple: if you support our ability to torture presumed innocent persons, you cannot be a christian and God will not let you into his kingdom. God will not care that you were scared. God will not care that you believed dubya. God will not care that you “thought it was the right thing to do”. God will not give you any credit for any excuse to allow torturing people. You cannot practice “cafeteria christianity”. Christianity is not a buffet where you pick and choose which issue you want to accept and which issue you would leave behind. You are either christian (and have to be against torture) or you are not (and you condone it). It is that simple – no more and no less. Well folks, which side are you on? Remember; God is watching you and he will consider your behavior when the time comes. You may some some troubles ahead of you.

  • actually, almost every religious human practices cafeteria spirtuality on many levels and many details day in and day out (I’m not even sure one could exist in modern society and comply with every detail of Levitican Law, for example). and Christianity was founded on the meaning of the torture of its central figure, a brutal torture allegedly ordered by god himself. but those are wholly unrelated matters for another discussion. . .

  • ***Bill Clinton would love to take a hickory switch to these shits (Rove and Mehlman).***
    ———————————————slip kid no more

    B…b…b…but slip—that’s not “pro-torture enough.” Y’ gotta think NASTY here. Let’s prove these clowns wrong—very, VERY wrong—by having Big Dog put down that hickory switch, and pick up something with a bit more “Oomph” to it.

    Nail guns sound okay.

    What about a jackhammer?

    It’s autumn—and I’m thinking along the lines of throwing “the Rove/Mehlman Duet” under a combine—or maybe even INTO the combine. Grind ’em up with the corn or soybeans, and used ’em to cook the fries at your local fast-food-burger-joint.

    Hang the clowns over a big fire, roast them until they’re “medim well,” serve ’em up with poi and toast—and call it “a two-pig luau.”

    Drop ’em in the Arctic, and watch to see what happens first—death by exposure, or devoured by polar bears.

    Oh, the list is just ENDLESS….

  • Jesus doesn’t do torture, but his Dad does. That Old Testment stuff makes Christians religiously as crazy as Muslims and Jews. Maybe more so since Christians have to deal with the dichotomy of the Prince of Peace concept.

  • “Something is fundamentally flawed.”

    Indeed it is, Karl. You, you twisted psychopathic fuckwad. You have been flawed since the first cell of your zygote divided, you worthless piece of shit.

  • “To borrow a phrase, a benumbed nation can only look on in horror at what has become of the Republican Party.”

    Benumbed is correct, and in the end , Billybob Beercan could care less, as long as he gots’ his TiVo, and his giant gas guzzling pick-up truck.So he can drive 3 blocks to 7-11, and run over any bicyclists on the way.
    He won’t vote, and therefore he gives power to those who TAKE it, mainly Social Dominating Right Wing Authoritarians. And they control the media, therefore control how history is recorded. If the corPirate media won’t allow a direct rebuttal to these moronic statements eminating from the Reight, what hope does American democracy have??

    Billybob Beercan is not reading blogs(or books), he only watches TV, and since the Dems are not about to consider tightening the screws to corPirate interests, the Dems being in power won’t help, either.

    Or am I just being naive and idealistic again??

  • Anything written in the Washington Times or an RNC email has little bearing on actual truth. This Republican torture bill has nothing to do with “protecting Americans” and everything to do with trying to re-elect the assholes that wrote it and, by extension, the shitheads that voted for it. This is the synergy between assholes and shitheads, btw. Ask yourselves if this bill was law in 1995, would it have prevented reich wing Timmy’s attack in OK City? If the bill was law in 2001, would it have prevented 9/11? The answer in both cases is negative. So, how does it protect us? The bill is part of the Republican’s agenda to establish a quasi police state when the nation is at war and to create an unaccountable imperial Presidency.

    If douchebags like Rove and Mehlman are speaking about it in terms of the “difference” between Republicans and Democrats, you know the bill has absolutely nothing to do with national security.

  • “Christianity is based on the concept of torture. Eternal torture, no less. God promises to torture anyone who doesn’t believe in a book of fairy tales.” – RacerX

    “God does not do torture! Jesus does not do torture! No proper christian would condone torture ” – Tom

    “Christianity was founded on the meaning of the torture of its central figure, a brutal torture allegedly ordered by god himself.” – Zeitgeist

    “Jesus doesn’t do torture, but his Dad does.” – Dale

    Please, guys, let’s get this straight. The Christian God does not torture. He practices rendition. He sends everybody he wants tortured to Hell and Lucifier does the nasty stuff for him. Did the same thing with Jesus, sent him to the Romans to do the nasty stuff.

    I’m sure you can see it’s an important distinction 😉

  • It makes my head hurt that Bush is allowed to say he’s against torture but if anyone else is against torture, they’re a terror-lover.

    I’m convinced even his supporters know Bush really means the opposite and they like it that way, being the sadistic barbarians they are.

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