TORTURE: LET'S PUT THIS SUBJECT TO REST

If one were to believe former Vice-president Dick Cheney, torture is an effective interrogation technique vital to the Nation's security. By using it, valuable information is obtained, lives are saved. Without it, people die. But, is this really true? Is there a better way to extract information from terrorists?

In 1968, a short, unknown, uneducated, poor, ex-convict managed to influence a group of young, educated, upper-class kids into heavy drug use, orgies and ,tragically, mass murder. The man: Charles Manson. How did this happen? Did he torture them? Or did he convert them to his way of thinking?

In 1974, a young heiress to a prominent family was kidnapped by a radical, left-wing extremist group. To the shock of the Nation, while still a kidnapped victim, she helped the radicals rob a bank. How did this happen? Did they torture her? Or did they convert her to their way of thinking?

In 1978, in Georgetown, Ghana, a man persuaded over 900 people to kill themselves by drinking cyanide. How did he convince them to do such a horrible thing?

In 1987, an evangelist told his television listeners that if he did not raise $8 million, then God would take him home. His viewers sent him $9.1 million! How was that possible?

In 1997, one man was able to convince 38 people--plus himself-- to kill themselves by drinking Vodka laced with poison. Again, how was this possible? Was torture used?

The television series, 24, has influenced the political debate on torture. Former republican congressman Tom Tancredo once said, "If I had a choice, I'd take Jack Baer." But, Jack Baer does not exist. On the series, there are extreme zealots so devoted to their twisted cause that they would gladly die. Along comes Jack Baer, who shoots them in knee cap and suddenly they sing like a canary. Baer then eliminates the threat, and the country survives.

In the real world, most people are not zealots. They are not hard liners devoted to a singular cause, and prepare to die for it. People are vessels that can be influenced by the environments they choose to live in. Once removed from their environment or comfort zone, and placed in a totally opposite atmosphere, something amazing happens. Overtime, their perspective on life changes. They become confused. The things that they thought they knew and believe become blurred. Eventually, they begin to accept their new surroundings. Some would even embrace it. This is what happened in the above examples. These folks were not torture, they were converted into a new way of thinking.

The most reliable information is information freely given, rather than forcefully extracted. Professional interrogators know this. They understand the fickle nature that exist within all people, and they know how to exploit it.

When a terrorist is captured, he has been removed from his comfort zone. He has no one to reinforce his radical beliefs. He now has to see, hear, feel, taste, smell and eat what it is before him. The interrogator can now begin the process of conversion. It may take some time, but not as much as one would think. In due course, professionals, skilled in human behavior, will successfully convert the subject into a new way of thinking. This is when the information comes. Accurate and complete information, freely given.

KENNEDY: OH! HOW MUCH WE OWE YOU

The time: noon July 15, 1963. The place: Bus stop #15, Sumter, South Carolina.

A young negro mother waits with her 4 year old son. It's hot and very dusty. She does her best to hide from the sun, by extending a worn black umbrella. When the bus arrives, the child leaps through the front entrance and sits on a vacant seat behind the driver. The driver, a middle age white male, stares at the mother with steamy eyes. "Ya'll know betta den dat Mary", he said. "Yes suh", she replies nervously. "Da boy don't mean nothin." With her head bowed, she quickly pays the fare, grabs her son and move to the back of the bus. "Don't you worry none, ya hear me", she whispers to her son. "Mr. Kennedy gonna fix things. It'll git betta by da time you grown", she tells her son.

President John F. Kennedy, we only had you with us for a few years, but you changed so many lives. You renewed our faith in the rule of law, when you stood with the Negro people against discrimination. You made us feel secure, when you stood up against the Soviets during the Missile Crisis. You taught us how to dream, when you promised that America would land a man on the moon, and return him home safely. And above all, you reminded us who Americans really are when you said, "Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country." We owe you so much. How can we ever repay you?

Senator Bobby Kennedy, if only we could have held on to you longer. You were the shortest of your brothers, but your stature could not be measure in height. When Alabama Governor George Wallace vowed to uphold segregation by literally standing in the doorway of the Admissions Office at the University of Alabama, as US Attorney General you had the guts to enforce the law. You confronted him with wisdom and civility. He relented. He stepped aside. Like your brother, you renewed our faith in the rule of law by fighting organized crime and the mafia. And despite the assasination of your brother, Jack, you ran for the presidency. You gave us a glimper of hope again. You made us believe again. How can we ever repay?

Senator Edward M. Kennedy, by the grace of God, you were with us for many, many years. No, you never won the presidency, nevertheless you gave us so much. Two of your brothers--Jack and Bobby--were killed, still you were not detered. You could have lived a full and pampered life among the rich and priviledged. No one would have blamed you if you did. But, this was not in your makeup. You were a man on a mission. A man with a single ambitions, to make life better for the poor.

You showed us how to care, by securing an increase in the minimum wage law for the poor when no one else would try. You taught us compassion by being the prime mover behind the State Children's Health Insurance Program. You showed us courage by creating the Mental Health Parity Act that forced insurance companies to treat mental health payments the same as others with respect to limits reach. You showed us how to be a friend when you stood by President Clinto during the Lewinsky scandal. Time and time again, you showed us how to work with our opponents by passing tons of bipartisan legislation. You gave us so much. How can we repay you?

I think we never can.

Healthcare Reform: Where is the church?

In the Bible (Luke 10:25-28), Jesus is asked an interesting question. “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” He said to him, “What is written in the law? What is your reading of it?”
So he answered and said, "‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind,’ and ‘your neighbor as yourself.’”
And He said to him, “You have answered rightly; do this and you will live.”

Here is an irony. Many of the conservative protester, who shout and scream during townhall meetings, who voice opposition to any healthcare reform--the same reform that can benefit the poor, needy and sick--amazingly classify themselves as born-again Christians, followers of Jesus Christ. Suprisingly still, senior protesters, who themselves depend on Medicare (a government run healthcare program) are counted among this lot. How can this be? Where is the church? Did the Rapture happen already? Are we all left behind? Billy Graham, where are you?

There is an old saying, "It's not what you say, it's how you say it." Well, the church has not been saying enough of anything. When I'm at home, I click my remote in constant search of a fiery sermon admonishing viewers like me to do the right thing and help the poor, the needy and sick. Yet, I am mystified to find attractive ministers in fancy suits telling me to send $40 for CD's, DVD's, healing oil or prayer cloths. In some radio broadcasts, I discover some pastors actually preaching against healthcare reform. Huh? I keep listening for the preacher to tell me of a better solution, to show me a wiser path to help the millions who have no medical coverage. I wait. I wait. I wait. Nothing. No ideas. No solutions. No wisdom. No love. Instead, I am told how evil democrats like President Obama and House Speaker Pelosi are. I am left with the impression that I should support another political party. The Republicans maybe? Is this in the Bible?

I am sure that there are some ministries who are genuinely trying to help others obtain healthcare. If they do exist, then they are being drowned out by the mega-churches who wield large microphones through radio and tv. Unfortunately, these churches are led by talented, ambitious preachers who are not led by the love of neighbor, or the Holy Spirit, but by the 'holy' connections of special interests and politicians.

The New Lion of the Senate!

A great man has passed today, Senator Edward Moore Kennedy. He was considered, rightly, "the lion of the senate." During his tenure, the Senate passed hundreds of bills that affected, positively, the lives of millions. Although considered a proud liberal, still he was able to cross party lines and effectuate bipartisan legislation like, the Secure America and Orderly Immigration Act. Still, the questions remains. Who shall become the "New Lion of the Senate?" After all, the pride must continue.

Many political pundits assume that the "lion" must come from the aisles of the left. Not so fast. What about GOP moderates like Senators Snowe or Collins? Or could the next lion come from the conservative caucus? How about Senators McCain or Graham? Remember, Senator Graham was bold enough to place his stamp of approval for Justice Sotomayor. The man does have that "it" factor. The kind that grabs people's attention and hold it. And let's not forget, he was a member of that famous Gang of 14 in the Senate.

But, what about the left? Who has the gravitas? The courage? The command presence? How about independent Senator Bernie Sanders? Probably not, because although he caucuses with the democrats, still he is neither republican or democrat. He is sort of an outcast, and an outcast can never lead the pride.

The next lion must be an unorthodox man. A man who defeated long odds to get elected to the most coveted, and sought after position in this Nation, excluding the presidency. That man is Senator Al Franken!

Cash for Clunkers! Cash for Veterans!

When its war time, this country has so much respect and love for the troops. But, after the war ends and the troop returns as a disabled veteran, somehow the love isn't as strong.

There are thousands of veterans suffering physical and psychological injuries sustained during a war. Many have filed disability claims with the VA and have yet to be paid a dime. In many cases, the wait has extended into years. Some veterans have even died awaiting benefits. Why does it have to be like this? Why would a nation, who claims to hold its troops in such high honor and esteem, allow its veteran to suffer so indignantly?

True, there is another Administration in the White House, and there have been some improvement in claims processing. Still, there remains a long line of veterans who have been waiting and waiting and waiting. Its time for a change, and that change must happen right now!

The one thing that the Government has demonstrated since this economic disaster began is the ability to response swiftly. It took the Congress and the White House about a week to pass emergency legislation to extend the "cash for clunkers" program. Now its time for the same Congress and White House to extend immediate help to its disabled veteran. The legislation should include the following:

"On or before September 11, 2009, a 'Cash for Veterans' emergency disability payment shall be enacted. All veterans who have filed disability claims, and have been approved, and who have been waiting no less than 12 months for payment, shall be entitled to receive an expedited lump-sum payment. In accordance with the Act, the veteran shall present his VA identification card, along with proper photo ID, and a certified VA/DOD awards document (i.e., letter) to any full service bank. The full service bank shall examine and accept these documents as proof of the veteran's award status; and thus issue the veteran a stipend equal to the lump-sum award amount shown in the certified VA/DOD awards letter. The full service bank shall bill the treasury for reimbursement of said stipends."

This is how our veterans can be honored. This is the right thing to do. Just do it and do it now!

Speak Plain Mr. President! Please!

I do believe that President Obama sometimes gives the general public too much credit with understanding the english vocabulary. For example, when he conducted a AARP townhall, a caller asked about the "death panels." He said that this would be "kind of morbid." Some people talk like this all the time, but many, many americans don't and would never use words like "morbid" in their every day conversation.

The White House should send grouplets to the deep south, for example, and have them attend Sunday morning services in old-fashion-good-ole-boy-fire-and-brimstone baptist churches. Pay close attention to the words used by these preachers--which is, very simple and very emotional. These people use simple vernacular to communicate effectively with their flock. Likewise, President Obama--and his surrogates--should do the same to communicate effectively to this Nation.

Do's and Don'ts:

1. Don't say, "That would be kind of morbid". Do say, "That would be horrible, and if anyone tells you I want this, they are lying! Don't let people lie to you."

2. Don't say, "The other side has distorted information." Do say, "When Senator Grassley said that real healthcare reform would 'pull the plug on grandma', then he is not telling the truth. Don't just take my word for it, read the House bill for yourself. Its on the Internet."

3. Don't say, "The public option is a viable plan." Do say, "This public option is going to lower your premiums. Isn't that what you want? Better coverage and lower premiums? Check out the facts. Don't let people lie to you."

4. If a questioners asks, "How can the private insurance companies compete against the government?" Do say, "Insurance companies have been around before this country was founded, I have every confidence that they will compete successfully. Now, they may have to cut expenese. For example, maybe their top-executives will have to live on $2 million per year salary instead of $100 million. Maybe they will be limited to buying 2 houses instead of 4 or 5."

Please sir, talk to the country. Speak plainly. Keep it very, very simple. No lectures. Keep the answers short, direct and forceful.