March 17 Update - VCS Fights Against Torture Anywhere by Anyone - This Protects Our Service Members and Our Constitution.

This week's update is about the brutality and criminality of torture. VCS wants you to help us fight torture because we believe torture anywhere done by anyone is always wrong.

Why is it wrong? Torture needlessly endangers our soldiers who may be captured on the battlefield. Torture undermines our Constitution and our freedom. And torture doesn't produce results, no matter what you might see on TV shows.

As part of the global community, we must abide by international laws, such as The Geneva Convention, to protect the world's citizens in times of peace and war. It is important to remember that we have the moral highground.

If you agree with our position that torture is wrong, then please help us raise the alarm by making a donation to VCS today.

Here are five important articles about torture recently in the news brought to you by VCS:

1. Excellent Editorial Against Torture - We agree with a recent Washington Monthy editorial - "No Torture, No Exceptions."

2. Senator McCain Flip Flops on Torture - Last week when President George W. Bush vetoed legislation to stop torture, Bush had the support of Senator John McCain. McCain was previously an outspoken opponent of torture because he was tortured as a prisoner of war during the Vietnam War.

3. ACLU Sues Bush Administration to Uncover Torture Information - Decrying the U.S. government’s failure to comply with its records request, the ACLU filed a lawsuit to force the government to release un-redacted transcripts in which 14 prisoners now held at Guantánamo Bay describe torture they suffered.

4. Detainee's Suit Says Abuse was Videotaped - Lawyers for a detainee held at the Navy brig in Charleston, SC allege in court papers that their client was filmed during his torture.

5. Manacled, Starved, Beaten: A Rendition Victim's Story - Khaled al-Maqtari's nightmare began when American troops arrived at the al-Ghufran market in Fallujah in January 2004. He was captured and taken to Abu Ghraib prison. For the next four years he says he was he was tortured.

Torture is outlawed in our Constitution. Thomas Paine reminds us that Law is King, because we are not living on a jungle island, and this America is not the "The Lord of the Flies." We believe it is an outrage that support for cruel and inhuman torture even merits debate - there should only be widespread condemnation of this barbaric and violent violation of human rights.

VCS is mostly member-funded, so please make a contribution to VCS today. Together, we can fight torture and keep our service members, our integrity, and our Constitution safe!

Thank you,

Libby Creagh
Development Director
Veterans for Common Sense

VCS provides advocacy and publicity for issues related to veterans, national security, and civil liberties. VCS is registered with the IRS as a non-profit 501(c)(3) charity, and donations are tax deductible.