| This website is maintained by Bill Bryant, dba Small World Business Services ... Page updated January 21, 2006. |
Upholding Oklahoma Values
| By Opposing Torture |
As Oklahomans who believe that human
rights are the inalienable, God-given
entitlement of every human being, we cannot
remain silent when any of our elected
representatives vote to defend the practice of
torture, cruelty, and degrading treatment.
By signing our names to this petition, we call
on our elected officials to:
• Speak out boldly in defense of human
rights;
• Vote consistently to uphold the laws
of our land; and
• Support actions to investigate and bring to
justice those individuals, regardless of rank or
office, who have condoned or perpetrated
these grim crimes and abuses.
We recognize that, apart
from being morally
repugnant, it is a serious
crime to abuse and torture
captives. Such actions are
a violation of the Inter-
national Convention Against
Torture, the U.S. War
Crimes Act of 1996, and the
U.S. Torture Act of 2000.
We object to torture as a violation of the most
fundamental rights and values we are
committed to defend.
We agree that, by signing this petition, we are
supporting an “affirmative measure” toward
halting war crimes, a responsibility we all have
under international law.
To sign the petition, click here. You’ll be
directed to our Petition Site, where your
information will be collected on a secure
website.
The compiled names of petition signers will be
collected and delivered to the following
individuals who represent us in Washington:
President Bush, Senator Coburn, Senator
Inhofe, Representative Boren, Representative
Cole, Representative Lucas, Representative
Istook, and Representative Sullivan.
rights are the inalienable, God-given
entitlement of every human being, we cannot
remain silent when any of our elected
representatives vote to defend the practice of
torture, cruelty, and degrading treatment.
By signing our names to this petition, we call
on our elected officials to:
• Speak out boldly in defense of human
rights;
• Vote consistently to uphold the laws
of our land; and
• Support actions to investigate and bring to
justice those individuals, regardless of rank or
office, who have condoned or perpetrated
these grim crimes and abuses.
We recognize that, apart
from being morally
repugnant, it is a serious
crime to abuse and torture
captives. Such actions are
a violation of the Inter-
national Convention Against
Torture, the U.S. War
Crimes Act of 1996, and the
U.S. Torture Act of 2000.
We object to torture as a violation of the most
fundamental rights and values we are
committed to defend.
We agree that, by signing this petition, we are
supporting an “affirmative measure” toward
halting war crimes, a responsibility we all have
under international law.
To sign the petition, click here. You’ll be
directed to our Petition Site, where your
information will be collected on a secure
website.
The compiled names of petition signers will be
collected and delivered to the following
individuals who represent us in Washington:
President Bush, Senator Coburn, Senator
Inhofe, Representative Boren, Representative
Cole, Representative Lucas, Representative
Istook, and Representative Sullivan.
Sign the Petition .... Click Here
We choose the Pioneer Woman
to illustrate this website
because of the qualities of
courage and valor that are
embodied in this iconic statue.
The Pioneer Woman statue is
an important element of our
Oklahoma Culture of Peace.
The Pioneer Woman exhibits
qualities that we admire –
strength, confidence, and
dignity. These character traits
were essential in the unfolding
history of our state. They
continue to form the foundation
of a vital civil society that
respects the rights of all
people.
To us, the Pioneer Woman
says, “We’re not afraid.” We
will approach the future as
equals with every person of
whatever place or culture.
In Oklahoma, torture is
beneath our dignity.
From the website of the
Pioneer Woman museum—
To be an Oklahoma woman is
To love our families more than
ourselves
To plant a seed for the future
To strive and overcome
barriers
To work and earn our daily
keep
To serve our cities, our state,
and our nation
To lead our communities into
the future, and
To leave a legacy that marks
our heritage.
to illustrate this website
because of the qualities of
courage and valor that are
embodied in this iconic statue.
The Pioneer Woman statue is
an important element of our
Oklahoma Culture of Peace.
The Pioneer Woman exhibits
qualities that we admire –
strength, confidence, and
dignity. These character traits
were essential in the unfolding
history of our state. They
continue to form the foundation
of a vital civil society that
respects the rights of all
people.
To us, the Pioneer Woman
says, “We’re not afraid.” We
will approach the future as
equals with every person of
whatever place or culture.
In Oklahoma, torture is
beneath our dignity.
From the website of the
Pioneer Woman museum—
To be an Oklahoma woman is
To love our families more than
ourselves
To plant a seed for the future
To strive and overcome
barriers
To work and earn our daily
keep
To serve our cities, our state,
and our nation
To lead our communities into
the future, and
To leave a legacy that marks
our heritage.
The Pioneer Woman
Amnesty International
Oklahoma City Chapter
United Nations Association
Greater OKC Chapter
National Lawyers Guild
OCU Student Chapter
Green Party of Oklahoma*
Green Country Greens*
* A Unitarian Jihadist member of these
groups takes exception to the phrase
“God-given” rights.
Tulsa Peace Fellowship
Endorsed by--
Senator Inhofe
POW Camps in
Oklahoma
Oklahoma
Some of us still remember a
time of danger and a time of
courage when Oklahoma was a
temporary haven for thousands
of prisoners of war. In World
War II, as the Greatest
Generation of soldiers fought
bravely to defend the world
against tyranny, nearly 500,000
captured enemy fighters were
transported to camps in the
United States, including
Oklahoma.
According to an Oklahoma
history website, POW camps in
Oklahoma were placed in
various locations, including:
Alva, Ardmore, Bixby, Caddo,
Camp Gruber, Chickasha,
Eufala, Fort Reno, Fort Sill,
Haskell, Hobart, Konawa,
Morris, Okemah, Oklahoma City
(Will Rogers airport), Okmulgee,
Pauls Valley, Porter, Powell,
Pryor, Sallisaw, Seminole,
Stilwell, Stringtown, Tipton,
Tishomingo, Tonkawa,
Waynoka, Wetumka, and
Wewoka.
By all accounts, the POW camps
in our midst were run cleanly
and honorably. The camp
wardens and guards treated
their captives humanely, with
strict attention to the
requirements of the Geneva
Conventions. The conditions in
the camps were monitored by
the International Committee of
the Red Cross.
In November, 2004, a German
diplomat lauded Americans for
their humane treatment of
German soldiers captured
during World War II.
"They were enemy soldiers of an
enemy country and even after all
the atrocities, you took care of
them," Andreas Zimmer,
Germany's deputy consul
general, said at a memorial
service for 44 German POWs
buried at Fort Benning, Georgia.
Several hundred German
prisoners died during their
captivity, according to the
German War Graves
Commission. Most died from
accidents or natural causes,
according to an Associated
Press report.
"We are very thankful to our
American friends," Germany’s
deputy consul general said.
With many able-bodied
Americans fighting the war, the
German POWs helped relieve a
labor shortage by working on
farms and elsewhere. Many
Oklahomans who were alive
during the war years have
memories of friendly German
prisoners helping with chores
on the family farm.
As the heroes of the Greatest
Generation fade from our midst,
we remember the qualities of
honor, valor, and courage that
formed their lives.
In Oklahoma, torture is not a
part of our heritage.
time of danger and a time of
courage when Oklahoma was a
temporary haven for thousands
of prisoners of war. In World
War II, as the Greatest
Generation of soldiers fought
bravely to defend the world
against tyranny, nearly 500,000
captured enemy fighters were
transported to camps in the
United States, including
Oklahoma.
According to an Oklahoma
history website, POW camps in
Oklahoma were placed in
various locations, including:
Alva, Ardmore, Bixby, Caddo,
Camp Gruber, Chickasha,
Eufala, Fort Reno, Fort Sill,
Haskell, Hobart, Konawa,
Morris, Okemah, Oklahoma City
(Will Rogers airport), Okmulgee,
Pauls Valley, Porter, Powell,
Pryor, Sallisaw, Seminole,
Stilwell, Stringtown, Tipton,
Tishomingo, Tonkawa,
Waynoka, Wetumka, and
Wewoka.
By all accounts, the POW camps
in our midst were run cleanly
and honorably. The camp
wardens and guards treated
their captives humanely, with
strict attention to the
requirements of the Geneva
Conventions. The conditions in
the camps were monitored by
the International Committee of
the Red Cross.
In November, 2004, a German
diplomat lauded Americans for
their humane treatment of
German soldiers captured
during World War II.
"They were enemy soldiers of an
enemy country and even after all
the atrocities, you took care of
them," Andreas Zimmer,
Germany's deputy consul
general, said at a memorial
service for 44 German POWs
buried at Fort Benning, Georgia.
Several hundred German
prisoners died during their
captivity, according to the
German War Graves
Commission. Most died from
accidents or natural causes,
according to an Associated
Press report.
"We are very thankful to our
American friends," Germany’s
deputy consul general said.
With many able-bodied
Americans fighting the war, the
German POWs helped relieve a
labor shortage by working on
farms and elsewhere. Many
Oklahomans who were alive
during the war years have
memories of friendly German
prisoners helping with chores
on the family farm.
As the heroes of the Greatest
Generation fade from our midst,
we remember the qualities of
honor, valor, and courage that
formed their lives.
In Oklahoma, torture is not a
part of our heritage.
| For more endorsements, news, etc., please see our Resource Page |
Shocking The Conscience
Of America:
Bush And Cheney Call For The Right To Torture
And Are Decisively Rebuffed by the House
by John Dean
Excerpt:
Bush has repeatedly said, "We do not torture." Secretary of State
Condoleezza Rice has repeatedly claimed the United States does not
engage in "cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment." And CIA director
Porter Goss says his agency "does not do torture. Torture does not work."
Why, then, was it necessary to clarify the law? Because no one believes
the Bush Administration on this issue....
Complete article at …
http://www.commondreams.org/views05/1216-27.htm
Senator Inhofe on Torture
Bill Bryant
Oklahomans for Global Solutions
If there is any doubt that we are making progress
in our struggle against torture, consider the new
way that Senator James Inhofe is talking about the subject. I received the
following statement from him in the mail this week. Maybe you received the
same letter:
"Thank you for contacting me about Senator McCain's torture
amendment....
"I understand your concerns and I want to make it unequivocally clear that
I do not condone torture. I believe that torture is abhorrent, inexcusable,
and unbecoming of a great nation such as ours...."
If we take this statement at face value, most observers will recognize that
Senator Inhofe's remarks are very different from the message he was
carrying only a couple of years ago.
Concluded at ...
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ok-global/message/565
Would you have let him back in?
Bill Bryant
Oklahomans for Global Solutions
[This] story is about a woman whose husband left her. He packed his
bags, told her he was going on a short vacation. And, then, for the next
five months, she didn't hear anything from him. He didn't even bother to
call. She was convinced he had left her for another woman....
The question is: If you were this woman, would you have let him back in?
…
Complete article at …
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ok-global/message/535
No Exceptions
to the Ban on Torture
by Louise Arbour
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights
Geneva -- The absolute ban on torture, a cornerstone of the international
human rights edifice, is under attack. The principle we once believed to be
unassailable - the inherent right to physical integrity and dignity of the
person - is becoming a casualty of the so-called war on terror.
No one disputes that governments have not only the right but also the duty
to protect their citizens from attacks. The threat of international terrorism
calls for increased coordination by law enforcement authorities within and
across borders. And imminent or clear dangers at times permit limitations
on certain rights. The right to be free from torture and cruel, inhuman or
degrading treatment is not one of these. This right may not be subject to
any limitation, anywhere, under any condition. …
Concluded at ...
http://www.commondreams.org/views05/1206-28.htm
For more News and Commentary, see our Resource Page…
Of America:
Bush And Cheney Call For The Right To Torture
And Are Decisively Rebuffed by the House
by John Dean
Excerpt:
Bush has repeatedly said, "We do not torture." Secretary of State
Condoleezza Rice has repeatedly claimed the United States does not
engage in "cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment." And CIA director
Porter Goss says his agency "does not do torture. Torture does not work."
Why, then, was it necessary to clarify the law? Because no one believes
the Bush Administration on this issue....
Complete article at …
http://www.commondreams.org/views05/1216-27.htm
Senator Inhofe on Torture
Bill Bryant
Oklahomans for Global Solutions
If there is any doubt that we are making progress
in our struggle against torture, consider the new
way that Senator James Inhofe is talking about the subject. I received the
following statement from him in the mail this week. Maybe you received the
same letter:
"Thank you for contacting me about Senator McCain's torture
amendment....
"I understand your concerns and I want to make it unequivocally clear that
I do not condone torture. I believe that torture is abhorrent, inexcusable,
and unbecoming of a great nation such as ours...."
If we take this statement at face value, most observers will recognize that
Senator Inhofe's remarks are very different from the message he was
carrying only a couple of years ago.
Concluded at ...
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ok-global/message/565
Would you have let him back in?
Bill Bryant
Oklahomans for Global Solutions
[This] story is about a woman whose husband left her. He packed his
bags, told her he was going on a short vacation. And, then, for the next
five months, she didn't hear anything from him. He didn't even bother to
call. She was convinced he had left her for another woman....
The question is: If you were this woman, would you have let him back in?
…
Complete article at …
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ok-global/message/535
No Exceptions
to the Ban on Torture
by Louise Arbour
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights
Geneva -- The absolute ban on torture, a cornerstone of the international
human rights edifice, is under attack. The principle we once believed to be
unassailable - the inherent right to physical integrity and dignity of the
person - is becoming a casualty of the so-called war on terror.
No one disputes that governments have not only the right but also the duty
to protect their citizens from attacks. The threat of international terrorism
calls for increased coordination by law enforcement authorities within and
across borders. And imminent or clear dangers at times permit limitations
on certain rights. The right to be free from torture and cruel, inhuman or
degrading treatment is not one of these. This right may not be subject to
any limitation, anywhere, under any condition. …
Concluded at ...
http://www.commondreams.org/views05/1206-28.htm
For more News and Commentary, see our Resource Page…
"I believe that torture is abhorrent, inexcusable,
and unbecoming of a great nation such as ours.
Furthermore, torturing enemy combatants has
proven to produce intelligence that is unreliable.
I believe that our soldiers should have the highest
standards reasonably allowed and uphold the
values that we all, as Americans, share. If any
soldier does not measure up to these standards,
they should be dismissed from service and
anybody who tortures captives should be fully
prosecuted."
and unbecoming of a great nation such as ours.
Furthermore, torturing enemy combatants has
proven to produce intelligence that is unreliable.
I believe that our soldiers should have the highest
standards reasonably allowed and uphold the
values that we all, as Americans, share. If any
soldier does not measure up to these standards,
they should be dismissed from service and
anybody who tortures captives should be fully
prosecuted."
