Here we have a "writer" and a "human rights activist" -- both of whom apparently forgot 9/11. Strange how some people are totally incapable of equating mass homicides with "torture."
"Torture" is merely temporary......picky, picky, picky......
Nice of him to send copies to both Jon Krampner and me.
But I had to read this over several times. I'm still not entirely sure what Mr. Bradshaw's point is (and why I apparently don't count as a writer). Disagreement is legit, of course, but I wonder who Bob is, and most of all, am a little uncomfortable that my home address was so easy to find.
Our letters as they appeared in the newspaper:
It's still just torture
Re "Petraeus talks torture," June 24
Army Gen. David A. Petraeus favors, as The Times put it, "special interrogation techniques when a detainee is withholding information that is immediately needed to save lives." Let's not mince words: Petraeus favors torture.
It starts with "a ticking time bomb." First, it has to be nuclear. Then any kind of bomb. Then you just want to save lives. Next thing you know, you've got an illegal prison in
Guantanamo, a torture palace at Abu Ghraib, black sites in Eastern Europe and a
program of illegally kidnapping people ("extraordinary rendition") to get them there.
Petraeus should not be confirmed as CIA director, and Bush (and Obama) administration officials found to have designed or implemented programs of torture should be prosecuted as war criminals.
Jon Krampner
Los Angeles
I am so sick of hearing about the "ticking time-bomb" scenario that is a staple in hour-long TV dramas. I have yet to hear a single apologist for so-called enhanced interrogations give a single example of this occurring in real life.
In practical terms, if I were a terrorist with a ticking time bomb, I could lie and mislead long enough for it to go off.
But what really matters is this: There is no excuse for torture. Period.
Diane Lefer
Los Angeles
Update December 12, 2012: for anyone who happens to be searching on-line for Mr. Bradshaw's name, here's the text of the letter I have now received from him. I still don't know how he got my street address (which I am omitting here), but you can all relax. He's a man of opinions, not threats.
Post Office Box 1223
Apple Valley, CA 92307
30 November 2012
Dear Ms. Lefer,
Since you'll probably share this note with your contributors I'll be brief.
I - I can't fathom why you created a penpal club with those people I've had issues.
2 - On so many issues, your contributors are so very very wrong!
3 - Irrespective of cited issues and contrary to your members, I am not right-wing.
4 - Admittedly, some of my views aren't in concert with some people in the L.A. area.
5 -1 fully understand the First Amendment --- and disagreeing with others.
6 - It should be no secret that newspaper letters staffs can show "favorites."
7 - The people who have received my letters can either respond or ignore them.
8 - And some of my letters --- contrary to some views --- have been complimentary.
9 - I've never contemplated using "expletives" or obscene phone calls.
10 - Neither the postal inspectors nor police have any qualms with my letters.
Sincerely,
William Bradshaw
P.S. In providing my correct address, I've never intended to offend or drive anyone into fear.