November 14, 2005

The Honorable Dianne Feinstein
United States Senate
331 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510

Dear Senator Feinstein:

League of Women Voters members urge you to work for the McCain amendment to the defense authorization bill. As President of the League of Women Voters of the Monterey Peninsula, I urge you to vote in favor of this amendment. Please vote to include the McCain amendment in the conference committee defense authorization bill.

A threat by the President to veto a defense authorization bill shows how serious he is about being willing to allow torture. The people of the United States, the world community, and the World Criminal Court take a strong stance for human rights and acceptable behavior even during a time of war. Torture is not part of either human rights or acceptable behavior. The beliefs of one administration should not change the moral foundation of this country, a moral foundation which is based not only on the Judeo-Christian beliefs and ethics of our heritage but on those of other beliefs espoused and practiced by many Americans.

Since the Viet Nam conflict, our undeclared wars have had opponents not wearing traditional military uniforms. As the methods of wars change, it is most important to "protect" the rights of soldiers, of fighters, of whatever term is used for those in the conflict. I don't think a foreign fighter will distinguish between torture by US military intelligence officers and that by CIA agents. And when our soldiers are captured, how can we expect our enemy to follow a standard of behavior for enemy combatants which we are not willing to follow?

It is ironic that the voice of the one member of the Senate who has been tortured should be so challenged by those who never suffered that ordeal.

I urge you to support this amendment and to seek amendment support from other members of the conference committee.

Sincerely,
     Marilyn Maxner, President