Why Do CIA Torturers Deserve Immunity?

When you think of the anti-torture movement in America, one prominent Republican who has pushed for reform because he spent 5 years at the so-called Hanoi Hilton where he was a torture victim, Senator John McCain, comes to mind. He and two other GOP senators in the senate armed services committee are in the news today for opposing Bush's wish to rewrite the Geneva Conventions - a move also publicly opposed by Colin Powell.

That's all well and good but would you expect that John McCain would support immunity for CIA agents who torture suspects?

Here's what he told CNN's Wolf Blitzer today:

BLITZER: What about on the issue of torture, as it's called? Right now the U.S. military has specific guidelines, it's been made public. There seems to be a separate standard for civilians like those in the CIA. You're not happy about that.

MCCAIN: Well, the Geneva Conventions have a -- are generally for those in uniform and the treatment of "POWs." There is one provision that applies to people that are prisoners which is much lower than that of POW status, but still some rights are preserved. And what we are seeking is to make sure that the Geneva Conventions covering these circumstances are not changed, because if we amend the Geneva Conventions, then other nations will to their liking. And several letters, including that of General Colin Powell, could put American lives at risk.

Common Article 3, by the way, is what it's called. We will and want to give immunity, both criminal and civil immunity, to those in the CIA who are involved in this. And we would want to protect them in every way. The difference is, is whether you amend the Geneva Conventions or you do as we want to do, and that's to amend or change the War Crimes Act so that these situations are covered under the War Crimes Act, telling them what they can't do and also then giving them the immunity that they need.

Why does any person who uses torture deserve immunity, Senator McCain? And, following your logic that other countries may also rework the Geneva Conventions to suit their own needs, what would stop them from also seeking immunity for their torturers? And, more importantly, why would you condone the use of torture at all when it's been proven that it doesn't work?

John McCain - not as anti-torture as we were led to believe, obviously. And that, frankly, is disgusting.