| Clyburn Responds to President Bush's Defense of Waterboarding
Friday, November 2, 2007
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WASHINGTON, DC—House Majority Whip James E. Clyburn today released the following statement in response to President Bush’s defense of Attorney General Nominee Michael Mukasey’s refusal to classify waterboarding as illegal. Waterboarding is a form of torture which consists of immobilizing an individual on his or her back with the head inclined downward, and pouring water over the face to force the inhalation of water and induce the sensation of drowning.
“It is extremely disturbing to see the man nominated by President Bush to serve as our nation’s top law enforcement officer refuse to label waterboarding illegal.
“Waterboarding is an archaic practice that has been widely condemned by many of our international allies and former American prisoners of war such as Senator John McCain. Abusive torture techniques should not become hallmarks of U.S. foreign policy or domestic law enforcement activities.
“Many sectors of the global community praise our nation for its strong moral guidance and kind humanitarian practices. The Bush Administration continues to jeopardize some of our diplomatic ties and Trans-Atlantic partnerships by refusing to aggressively denounce the practice of cruel and antiquated torture techniques.”
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