It amazes me how many Americans would vote to allow torture as part of our fight against terrorism. To me, this seems like such a perverse detour from a democracy that was founded on the principles of justice, fairness, and freedom. One of the great principles of democracy is the concept that those accused of crimes shall be considered innocent unless proven guilty. We seem to have forgotten these principles.

A confession obtained by torture is meaningless. Only the strongest-willed people can endure extreme pain and not say whatever it takes to make the pain stop.

Every American citizen should ask themselves “Does it matter to you if innocent people who have no valuable information are tortured?”

Civilized people do not torture. Torture should never be part of the American way.

Not in my name.