Leading The Way

Amnesty accuses US over 'torture' says the BBC headline. Did you notice how the BBC uses the quotes to distance itself from the charge? But we have to give them credit for running the article.

Governments around the world betrayed their commitment to human rights in 2004, Amnesty International says.

In a 300-page annual report, the group accused the US government of damaging human rights with its attitude to torture and treatment of detainees.

This granted "a licence to others to commit abuse with impunity", the human rights advocates said.

Also please notice that after only three sentences, our friends at the BBC cut to the ever-present White House spokesman for the ever-present denial of reality.

In Washington, a White House spokesman branded the allegations "ridiculous and unsupported by the facts."

"The United States is leading the way when it comes to protecting human rights and promoting human dignity. We have liberated 50 million people in Iraq and Afghanistan, we have worked to advance freedom and democracy in the world," said Scott McClellan.

"Leading the way"?? Is that not the funniest thing you have ever read? Unfortunately, none of this is funny.

Published on Wednesday, the report accused governments of adhering stubbornly to "politically convenient" but inefficient tactics to address terrorism in 2004, despite what Amnesty saw as a lack of success.

Speaking of lack of success, look at this story available simultaneously on the BBC website: Huge US raid on western Iraq town, in which the BBC does it up right, complete with a very nice photo of somebody being liberated.

When foreigners enjoy the liberation of their own country so heartily that our soldiers have to blindfold them and write on their foreheads, you know we really are Leading The Way.