Mukasey got the go-ahead to become the US Attorney-General. I understand that sometimes realpolitik has to take over from idealism, but with the US's image tarnished by the many scandals and allegations, giving someone who didn't speak out prominently against torture techniques amounts to nothing else than the mercification of principles for the sake of political stability (avoiding more tension with the White House) and a vague notion of national security that curbs the freedoms of the individuals in ways never seen before.
Don't get me wrong. I'm fine with my library record and whatnot being available to the FBI or the RCMP for the purpose of weeding out potential terrorist recruits being extremized. I am also fine with aggressive interrogation techniques, when these involve well known tried-and-tested methods. Waterboarding and the like are nothing to be proud of, and the information one extorts in this way is in no way legitimate or reliable. Good God, I'd confess anything should I be subjected to something like that.
This man who will soon take one of the top seats in the Bush administration is no better than anyone who preceded him. Quizzed on a question of principle he gave a half answer that wasn't even an answer. This man will not ban any torture technique currently being employed by the US if he comes across it, and I bet a grand to your loonie he will gladly lobby for all laws regarding these practices to be stalled or vetoed, so he won't have to handle the hot potato.
It's about time we all showed some integrity and said no to torture, whatever the cost. My own gut reaction would be to take information out of a terrorist at all costs. Fortunately, my brain is located not in my gut but a tad higher. The rule of law and human rights were made for everyone, and as the bastion of integrity and freedom the West claims to be it must be first in line in their enforcement and maintenance.
Tough questioning and truthful confessions by hardened criminals are the work of professionals. Waterboarding and the like are for amateurs. Mukasey should value professionalism over cheapness, and he hasn't done that. OK-ing Mukasey is a slap in the face of anyone who values human life and dignity. It is also a missed opportunity to really address the lack of real interrogation skills. Come on, interrogation is an art, this was the chance to show that the US values artfully done jobs over cheap made-in-china-style stuff.
Once again, the cheap has it. Don't blame me if it goes awry.
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