Congress was convinced by the overwhelming arguments against the use of torture and passed the Intelligence Authorization Bill (HR 2082), which explicitly prohibited the CIA and all other government agencies from using torture.

On Saturday, March 8, President Bush vetoed the bill, saying, "Because the danger remains, we need to ensure our intelligence officials have all the tools they need to stop the terrorists."

Fear has made our president desperate, morally blind and oblivious to the most dangerous aspect of terrorism; the willingness to do anything to avoid death.

These are the traits of a dishonorable and cowardly man.

Congress has just begun to restore the values we all hold dear. The next step is to investigate the tons of credible evidence of illegal and inhumane actions in the Bush administration's war on terror.

Anyone responsible for illegal and inhumane actions must be prosecuted. This includes those at the highest level of government.

Mary Ellen Crowley, co-coordinator

Amnesty International Midcoast

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