And of course, Bush promises to veto:
The US House of Representatives has approved a bill that would ban the CIA from using harsh interrogation techniques such as simulated drowning.
The measure would require intelligence agencies to follow the rules adopted by the US Army, which forbid such methods, and to abide by the Geneva Conventions.
President George Bush has threatened to veto the bill if the Senate passes it.
As presidents go, Bush has been one of the most sparing in his use of the veto. So he must only use it when it really matters, when it’s vital to our nation’s interests that Congress doesn’t mess something up really bad. Let’s take a look at the list so far:
- H.R. 810, a bill that would have allowed federal funding of stem cell research – because America shouldn’t condone baby killing
- H.R.1591, called “U.S. Troop Readiness, Veterans’ Care, Katrina Recovery, and Iraq Accountability Appropriations Act” – because hey man, what are you trying to do? Point out all of the President’s failures? Jeez. (A later version of this bill passed.)
- S. 5, another Stem Cell act – why won’t you leave babies alone, Congress? Nobody likes dead babies.
- H.R.976, SCHIP, the one that was going to give kids health care coverage – because kids need to learn personal responsibility. Health care is a privilege, not a right.
- H.R.1495, a water resources act that contained some pork barrel projects – good call, Bushie! Too bad you got overridden. If only you were as good at uniting as you are at dividing.
- H.R.3043, called the “Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act” – because those don’t sound like very important things
- H.R.3963, another try at SCHIP – because we don’t kill babies, but we let them die.
This newest veto promise is obviously being informed by our President’s beliefs and moral convictions. Turn the other… no. What would Jesus… no. Do unto others… no. Hmm… so what’s the rationale for torturing again?
Oh yeah. What Would Jack Bauer Do?
Blendor 