Rubberstamp Reichert

Apparently believing that water boarding is an activity enjoyed by his constituents along the shores of Lake Sammamish, Dave “Rubberstamp” Reichert (R-WA8) voted with his neo-con companions to anoint George W. Bush with sole authority to determine America’s definition of torture. By a vote of 253 to 168 (mostly along party lines) the US House approved the “Military Commissions Act” that, in addition to allowing Bush to set the mark for what constitutes proper interrogation techniques for detainees in the so-called war on terror, confers Congressional approval to the secret military tribunals that had recently been struck down by the US Supreme Court. Reichert’s vote was also an affirmation of Bush’s suspension of Habeas Corpus.

If the good folks in the 8th CD needed any further convincing that Reichert is not the moderate he would have them believe, they need only ask themselves if “The Sheriff’s” embrace of secret CIA prisons, torture via outsourcing, or his disregard for the safety and well being of our own troops in the captivity of some future enemy are values they share. By breaking out his rubber stamp on this legislation, Reichert is saying that he is fine with America abandoning the very values we are supposed to be defending. By standing with George Bush in defiance of the Supreme Court and International law and treaties, Reichert is ceding the moral high ground that has defined this country for so long.

It hasn’t taken long for that tin star to become tarnished.

Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue