The Other Scott Horton (no relation), international human rights lawyer, heroic crusader against the American government’s use of torture and author of the renowned No Comment blog at the Harper’s magazine Website, explains how the Bush/Cheney administration continues to fight for their right to torture people, the roles played by former Attorney General Alberto Gonzales and likely replacement Michael Chertoff in crafting U.S. torture policy, the overall politicization of the Justice Department, the U.S. Attorney scandal and bogus prosecutions of political opponents, NSA/AT&T wiretaps and the “State’s Secrets Privilege,” the Stab in Maliki’s back in Iraq, preparations for war with the Iranians and the legal framework being set up in order for the government to torture them too.
MP3 here. (47:24)
Scott Horton is a contributing editor at Harper’s magazine and pens the blog No Comment. A New York attorney known for his work in emerging markets and international law, especially human rights law and the law of armed conflict, Horton lectures at Columbia Law School. A life-long human rights advocate, Scott served as counsel to Andrei Sakharov and Elena Bonner, among other activists in the former Soviet Union. He is a co-founder of the American University in Central Asia, and has been involved in some of the most significant foreign investment projects in the Central Eurasian region. Scott recently led a number of studies of abuse issues associated with the conduct of the war on terror for the New York City Bar Association, where he has chaired several committees, including, most recently, the Committee on International Law. He is also a member of the board of the National Institute of Military Justice, the Andrei Sakharov Foundation, the EurasiaGroup and the American Branch of the International Law Association.
Touture is hardest on the innocent, for they have NO INFORMATION to give their tormentors to stop the pain! The “guilty” can dole out useful information to slow and detur or stop altogether their torment. What are the REAL GOALS of the torturers?? It is to prevail in whatever situation. Like the wifebeater, they want what they want and they are willing to hurt you or anyone to get it.
The world needs more Scott Hortons!
:)
I personally knew a man who was sent to Dachau for political opposition to the nazis. We are seeing similar effects now – unlawful detention, torture, massive spying, hyperpatriotism. Trust me, we don’t want to continue down this road…
Do everything you can to support antiwar.com and Ron Paul.
The tactics used by repressive right organizations are relatively constant.
Free-thinkers/political opponents must be identified.
phonelogs/email is the ultimate source for persons seekings to identify fellow citizens.
the canard that rather than track and prohibit the entry of KNOWN terrorists into the USA… American intell should blithely trash the constitution…provides stark evidence of the historical instincts shared by rightwing extremists of all stripes.
the identification of “political” opponents via domestic spying is the first step…the second step is the denial of employment blacklists…the third step will be another “ooops our bad” terrorist incident…step four is of course re-educatiion camps…perhaps to be named “patriotism” camps by the neo-con saviors of Liberty.