Reagan/Paul vs. the GOP on Torture and American Values
“The United States participated actively and effectively in the negotiation of the Convention. It marks a significant step in the development during this century of international measures against torture and other inhuman treatment or punishment. Ratification of the Convention by the United States will clearly express United States opposition to torture, an abhorrent practice… (and) will demonstrate unequivocally our desire to bring an end to the abhorrent practice of torture.” Ronald Reagan 1988
“Torture is illegal … waterboarding is torture… It’s illegal under international law and under our law. It’s also immoral and it’s also very impractical. There’s no evidence that you really get reliable evidence… I think it’s uncivilized. It would have no practical advantages and is really un-American to accept on principle that we will torture people we will capture.” Ron Paul, last night
“In the case of torture, the majority of the Republican candidates said they would support it—with the notable exceptions of Ron Paul and Jon Huntsman… Michele Bachmann and Herman Cain both said they supported ‘enhanced interrogation techniques,’ and Rick Perry took on Paul’s comments by saying, “I am for the techniques…” The Daily Beast’s Most Candidates Come Out for Torture, covering last night’s debate
