Here is what we said to our Congressional Representative for better or worse.

"As the parents of a Soldier serving his second combat tour in Iraq, WE are writing to urge you to support the McCain Anti-Torture Amendment with no exceptions. This amendment is vital to the safety and integrity of our Armed Forces and to the security of the United States. In addition to the recent 90-9 vote in the Senate, the Anti-Torture Amendment is supported by the US Conference of Catholic Bishops, the American Jewish Committee, and 30 senior retired military officers, including Colin Powell.

Sadly, there have been reports that Vice President Cheney is leading a behind-the-scenes effort to scuttle the McCain Anti-Torture Amendment or include an exception for the CIA. This is simply wrong. Cruel, inhumane, and degrading treatment of prisoners under American control violates our nation's moral values, doesn't make us safer, hurts America's position in the world, and puts our own soldiers at risk should they come into the hands of our enemies.

In fact, I recently sent this Letter to the Editor of the Dayton, Ohio Daily News on behalf of our military family.

As the Dad of a Soldier on his second combat tour of Iraq and a retired military officer, I am OUTRAGED by comments of a writer in your opinion section for Dec. 2.
 
Terrorists don't follow the rules Re "Geneva Conventions protect us, too,"
 
He said, "The way to solve the prisoner problem is to not take any prisoners. That way, U.S. troops would not have to guard, clothe and feed them. Leave them on the battlefield. Terrorists deserve no protection under the rules of the Geneva Conventions."

The writer never honorably served in the military and certainly has no loved one in harms way in Iraq. An overwhelming 90 "bipartisan" Senators in Congress agree with ex-POW John McCain (and ME) that the above attitude is WRONG and DISAGREE with President Bush, Vice-President Cheney and “that writer.”
 
My wife and I would not want to get notified that our Soldier has been a scapegoat for White House and Pentagon policies gone immoral no more than we would want to be notified of something worse like KIA or MIA.
 
The attitude that the Bush administration has started among a "minority of Americans" is very disturbing and frightening. It is not the care and welfare of terrorists that concerns our military family but the values and souls of OUR TROOPS.

We need to send an unequivocal message to our troops, our allies, and even to our enemies: torture is wrong - no exceptions. That is why this military family is asking you to support passage of the McCain Anti-Torture Amendment - with no exceptions.

WE would appreciate your prompt reply.

Thank you,

Robert L. Hanafin

Major, USAF-Retired