by Frank Ritter

Tennessean

03/01/05

To my knowledge, I've never tortured anyone. It's not in me to do that. People might be discomfited somewhat by what I write, but never have I -- nor anyone I know -- broken anybody's bones, raped them, denied them food or stuck a lit cigarette in their ear or nostrils.

But regularly these days, we receive new reports that torture is being done in your name and mine, by our government, with our tax money supporting it. In our name, to 'protect us,' our government under the Bush administration can arrest people without charge, hold them for years without access to a lawyer or family, expose them to despicable acts. 'It's necessary,' we are told, 'to fight terrorism.' Is that what we've come to as a society, a nation, a people? Torture, brutality, sexual exploitation, even murder -- it has all happened at the hands of Americans. ... [I]t's not something I ever expected in this day and time. I thought we were smarter...

http://tinyurl.com/4sev6


Informant: Thomas L. Knapp