Actions speak louder than words, and as much as Democrats decry accusations pinning them as national security softies, there’s a very good reason for it. Consider what the House Democrats tried to sneak into the intelligence authorization bill:
Democrats inserted an 11-page addition into the bill late Wednesday night as the House Rules Committee considered the legislation.The provision, previously not vetted in committee, applied to “any officer or employee of the intelligence community” who during interrogations engages in beatings, infliction of pain or forced sexual acts. The bill said the acts covered by the provision would include inducing hypothermia, conducting mock executions or “depriving the [detainee] of necessary food, water, sleep, or medical care.”
The language gave Congress the discretion to determine what the terms mean, and it would have imposed punishments of up to 15 years in prison, and in some cases, life sentences if a detainee died as a result of the interrogation.
Yes, sneaky tactics indeed, but what else is new from these anti-military, anti-security wusses. This particular amendment wasn’t debated in committee. It was included late Wednesday night to avoid all attention.
It’s very obvious that these Democrats wanted to pull a fast one on the Republicans and on these brave intelligence officers. No matter where the Democrats stand on the issue of EIT, at least have the decency to respect the democratic process of open debate. By trying to sneak this into a bill and avoid scrutiny, these House Democrats proved they had something to hide and that they are not on the side of the American people.
Shame on you.
