Web Letters: The Fabrications of Jay S. Bybee

On a daily basis, I am overwhelmed by the stories that continue to roll out regarding the "dance" that was done upon the issue of torture during these past seven and a half years. To date, I have listened and/or read about the psychologists, who insisted, with no data to back them up whatsoever, that the effects of the "enhanced techniques" would not be long-lasting; regarding pieces of the memos written by the likes of Judge Bybee and his ilk, also claiming that what they were being asked to condone legally would not have any lasting effects on the suspects being interrogated; from defense officials claiming their troops could withstand these techniques without any lasting effects as a result of their training and therefore suspects would not sustain any lasting effects either. To which I must ask, "What about the lasting effects on this country?"

I believe that with the spineless nature of the creatures of this conduct, once put on a witness stand of any kind, they will sing like the many-colored canaries that they are, and the lasting effects on this country, our allies and our opponents might be mitigated.

Becky Glynn

San Antonio, TX

I have a vague memory of Senate/Congressional hearings about torture and foreign combatant prisoners having no rights as humans. All three of the administration principals, Bybee, Yoo and Gonzales, questioned the value of the Constitution as a viable document. They apparently had a really wide influence.

James L Pinette

Caribou, ME