A battle has erupted between the Bush administration and the U.S Senate Armed Services Committee over prisoner interrogation practices.

Documented Central Intelligence Agency techniques include sequestering suspected terrorists in secret locations, waterboarding, induced hypothermia, standing in stress positions for up to 40 hours and prolonged sleep deprivation.

The CIA has also transported suspects to countries where extreme physical pain and psychological torment are routine interrogation techniques.

These practices constitute torture, which is what the U.S. government called it during the Cold War when practiced by other countries. The president, in a recent press conference, wouldn’t be specific about these practices, and columnists Rich Lowry and Cal Thomas – who regularly contribute to the Sun Journal – use euphemisms such as “aggressive interrogation” rather than call torture what it is.

Torture, as a means of obtaining information, is unreliable. Those being tortured will do anything and say anything to make it stop. Ignoring the Geneva Conventions on prisoner treatment exposes our troops to similar treatment, as pointed out by Sen. John McCain.

What is most important is that these are crimes against humanity. This is recognized by the Geneva Conventions and recent U.S Supreme Court rulings.

There are levels of responsibility. Despite denials, those at the top of the government are most culpable, but to the extent that we citizens don’t speak out, so are we.

I ask my representatives to vote to curtail such unlawful and inhumane practices.

Ed Cundy, Paris