American Psychological Assn. finally get it: No more torture for us

One of the sorrier chapters in the humanitarian crime wave of the George W. Bush administration following 911, was use of the American Psychological Assn. to assist and sanctify government torture of undesirable detainees. Besides allowing member psychologists to participate in 'enhanced interrogation' (Uncle Sam's word for torture), they even relaxed their ethical standards to condone it. The American Psychiatric Assn. and American Medical Assn. said 'Nyet' to such disgusting moral lapse by a group and professionals who knew better.

The good news is a full decade later the APA has tightened its ethical standards to prohibit member participation in torture. They also fired off a letter to their renegade Uncle telling Him that not only are psychologists prohibited in participating in such barbaric practices, detainees should be given all the protections against torture under international law.

Don't assume the US government will refrain from torturing folks without the APA's continued cooperation. When you're blowing innocent civilians to bits in the Middle East every day and then bragging about it, what's to prevent a little friendly waterboarding in secret.