It'll never happen here. And yet now it has.

What I find most confusing is how someone like McCain - someone who we would expect to understand both the immorality and the ineffectiveness of torture - could support this bill?

But there's all sorts of idiocy involved here. Like the Democrats trading away their ability to filibuster for a vote on an amendment that the Republicans had no interest in passing. Like the demand for torture, which, any issues of morality or reciprocity aside, even the CIA admits is counterproductive (note particularly the French-Algerian war, where torture bred hatred of the French - sound familiar?). Note also that the SERE program from whence many of our less ethical methods come was intended to prepare troops for the treatment they would receive at the hands of enemies like the North Koreans - enemies whose motive is not information, but false confessions for show trials. Or how about the idiocy in suggesting that because people like 24, they must condone the kind of tactics portrayed on the show?

Idiots. And the Democrats just rolled over and let it happen. Unfortunately, the House and Senate clerks' records seem to be down at the moment, so I can't check how my reps voted. Either way, it might be a good idea to consider joining or making a donation.

EDIT: Durbin and Obama both voted against it, but Hyde voted for. Are we surprised?