Torture law is signed.

President George W. Bush signed a law on Tuesday authorizing tough interrogation and prosecution of terrorism...

Where does 'tough interrogation' stop and torture begin? The President blurs the line.

So we are reduced to fighting over a word, “torture”. President George W Bush’s preferred terminology is “alternative interrogation techniques” or “coercive interrogation” or “harsh interrogation methods”...

Here is Bush defining torture in a speech he gave in June 2003: “The Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment, ratified by the United States and more than 130 other countries since 1984, forbids governments from deliberately inflicting severe physical or mental pain or suffering on those within their custody or control.”

So what is “severe physical or mental pain or suffering”? The president does not apparently believe that strapping someone to a board, tipping them upside down and pouring water repeatedly over Cellophane wrapped over their face is severe suffering.

The CIA confirms that most suspects cannot last much more than 30 seconds of the drowning sensation. But no marks are left. So that is not “torture”.

The signing of this legislation is a major step backwards for this nation.

It is also a significant blow to American Christianity, as this President has so closely identified himself with Christian groups.

If, as Christians, we sit idly by, then it is a major step backward for the faith as well.

GP