I received a troubling letter from 6th District Congressman Tom Price yesterday - replying to my urging that he support the Senate in prohibiting the use of prisoner torture.

I was indeed troubled by his response. He wrote, "In the global War on Terrorism, we face an enemy that does not always prescribe to these same standards (prohibiting cruel, inhuman, degrading punishment.)" He continues, "It is our responsibility to determine how best to fight this new type of warfare with dignity and respect while not limiting our authority." (Emphasis supplied.)

Is he saying he thinks the United States has the authority to employ cruel, inhuman, and degrading punishment whenever it sees fit? The United States has never seen fit to employ such methods. In fact, our Constitution specifically prohibits cruel and inhuman punishment.

Exactly how is the current conflict different than other wars we have fought with respect to how we treat prisoners? We've fought the Nazis, Japanese war lords, North Koreans, North Vietnamese, Spain, Mexico, England, even our brothers in our own Civil War - all without resorting to cruel and inhuman treatment of prisoners. What makes the current conflict so special and so different that we should consider engaging in such egregious inhuman treatment?

In truth, there is no difference. I will not stand idle while the House and the President try to justify such unjustifiable and morally reprehensible acts.

Let's make our position clear. The United States of America must agree to abide by the Geneva Conventions, the Constitution of the United States, and basic human rights.  We must never engage in such cruel, inhuman, and degrading punishment of our prisoners.  The United States must regain its moral compass in the eyes of the world.  If we do otherwise, the terrorists will have won.

Contact Sander Bellman

(Partially published in Marietta Daily Journal, 11/11/05)