I wish the editorial writers at the Dem Gaz would take a lesson here, this is a great op-ed about how our country became a “terrorist” nation and how we’ll be judge unkindly by history for our nation’s torture policies…and it was said with 203 words, not 1000.

Recently, the Associated Press - using one of those well-placed confidential sources that President Bush fears and loathes - confirmed that administration leaders from Vice President Dick Cheney on down approved using torture in the interrogation of terror suspects after asking the Justice Department to endorse their legality.

Those involved in the meetings, which were held in the White House Situation Room, asked the Justice Department to legitimize the interrogation techniques they approved. The political manipulation of the Justice Department has been a recurrent theme of the Bush administration.

Justice responded by issuing at least two memos between 2002 and 2003 that said the torture was legally justified. Both legal opinions were withdrawn later, after they were exposed in the news media. Former Attorney General John Ashcroft - a conservative icon and a key supporter of the USA Patriot Act - was said to be troubled by the meetings. “Why are we talking about this in the White House ? ” he was quoted as saying. “History will not judge us kindly. “He is absolutely right. Long after the Bush administration is history, our nation will continue to be tarnished by its record of disregard for the rule of law and human rights.

-The Tuscaloosa (Ala. ) News