Railing against the death of democracy

Re “Bush Bows to Senators on Detainees,” Sept. 22

Congratulations on the most gutless interpretation of the story imaginable. In reality, our nation is about to officially sanction torture with a bill that is only slightly less radical than President Bush’s monstrous proposal (while at the same time passing another radical “compromise” that allows the president to spy on anyone with no judicial oversight). Why is The Times not spitting editorial venom and demanding accountability? Will you, too, play the role of spectator as democracy dies?

TIM VANDEHEY

Ventura

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In contrast with Bush, a group of Republican senators choose to uphold the Geneva Convention ban on torture. The Times’ calling these senators dissident is alarming. Dissidence means disagreement, especially with an established political system. Democracy means that people are free to disagree and do not have to fall lock-step behind the president.

The use of the word “dissident” in this article’s first paragraph implies that these senators are out of line. To the contrary. They are upholding the most fundamental principles of decency, democracy and free speech.

SHIRA TARRANT

JOHN CIULIK

Long Beach