War is hell, so I’ve heard uttered from everyone from John Wayne to “Rambo” to Dick Cheney, none of who served in any branch of the military.

I’ve never been to war and I pray that I never see the horrors of such a thing. I also know that I have the military branch and all the brave people that serve to thank for that. So despite my differences with our American military and many of their policies, and with a few soldiers that turn out to be “bad apples”, I will still celebrate the memory of those that have passed on this Memorial Day.

I do believe that our military strength has, on many occasions, kept us, and our allies safe. I do not, however, believe even for a moment that torture has kept us any safer or that we have uncovered any nefarious plots because of it. And I stand by that belief no matter how many times Cheney and his followers try to scare me with "9/11".

Now, most of us have seen this silly radio guy – (Does he really call himself “ManCow”? And on purpose?) – get himself soaking wet to make a point. His point was supposed to be, “Water boarding is just uncomfortable”, but that backfired when he only lasted 6 or 7 seconds. I found the video amusing at first, then, after watching again, I found myself just feeling glad that he survived the ordeal. Even though it was a controlled event, and though I personally find him repugnant, I was just glad that he was okay. I mean he may be a loudmouthed idiot and a showoff and a jerk, but he’s a damn brave loudmouthed idiot showoff jerk! And he admitted it; it is torture.

I can see that if I were to be interrogated by this method, I’d talk. Oh… would I talk. Plots of destruction that I pulled out of my ass, fictional bank account numbers, people that I made up, safe combinations from my High School locker…. all kinds of information. All of it completely worthless; because I have nothing. (Martha Stewart is a communist! Her recipes are all secret code!)

But let’s suppose I did have information that was valuable. Would it work on me then? I guess this is the crux of the debate about torture. All that I know is, many of these people with such a fervent religious cause are willing to die – so I doubt torture will get them to talk. And, again, are we to believe what they say?

A caller on Thom Hartmann’s show the other day brought up a wonderful point about this debate. Basically, why do we only seem to torture people of the Muslim faith? (I think we can call it torture now, thanks to “ManCow”) If this water boarding crap works, why didn’t we use it on Timothy McViegh to find the rumored "John Doe # 2"? Sure, he’s only rumored to exist, but why not a little torture, just to be thorough?

Why not use this technique on people of interest in the 2001 Anthrax attack? If it works so well and all, wouldn’t this case be solved by now? For that matter, why not use it on gang members, Klan members and Christian fundies who support overthrow of the U.S. Government and bombing clinics? I’m sure we could did up some shootings, drug activities, bank robbery plots, doctor murder plots and the like.

Why not just retrofit our police interrogation rooms to accommodate these methods? I mean, I will confess!! Okay, okay, here’s the thing….. Friday night I went downtown and I did not pay the meter. I know! I know! Its just that I have a handicap pass – which isn’t really mine, its my partners…. and Oh My GOD….. I didn’t pay the meter. I just didn’t have the change on me….. and I wanted a fancy espresso coffee. Take me away officer – just don’t TORTURE me!

Well, there you have it. I guess it does work after all. :rolleyes2:

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In a bit of other breaking news, it seems some Republicans are upset over their (loud)mouthpieces and their views. Lets see, recently we’ve had the fabulous plan to rename the Democratic party to the Democrat Socialist Party and we had that really spectacular video of the girl with the flower and the A-bomb in the background and lest we forget all the teabagging fun. Hey, can a group really rename another group? Lets all decide right here and now to rename something. Lets call conservative radio as a whole: “Dickfours”. That way, when people ask, “what’s a dickfour?” (drumroll).

Anyway, at least one Republican wants to take away all our fun:



On behalf Stephanie Miller, Rachel Maddow, Jon Stewart and Keith Olbermann fans everywhere: please STFU. We just adore your “politics of personal destruction”. Not only does it amuse and entertain us, it digs a larger hole for your party every time one of you opens your mouth!