Honoring the Dishonored

Petition: Whereas the Constitution of the United States declares that it and treaties ratified by Congress and signed by the president are the law of the land; and
Whereas Congress ratified and the president signed the Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment; and
Whereas some soldiers were prosecuted, defamed, dishonored and imprisoned for torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment; and
Whereas their Commander in Chief, George W. Bush, deserted those soldiers who were accused of torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment, calling them a “few bad apples,” seeing them prosecuted, defamed and imprisoned while lying that “We do not torture”; and
Whereas their Commander in Chief, George W. Bush, confessed to authorizing torture; and
Whereas Vice President Cheney and other members of the administration participated or permitted torture; and
Whereas those who have sworn to defend or to uphold the Constitution are derelict in duty in not prosecuting those who authorized, participated or permitted torture;

Therefore: we the following petition for the reinstatement of those low-ranking soldiers who were prosecuted and punished for deeds that their military and civilian authorities authorized, participated in or permitted without prosecution; that they be returned to duty if they so desire or be given honorable discharges and back pay for time they spent in prison for serving their country in the manner authorized and permitted by superior military and civilian authorities who were not prosecuted and punished;
and that they be honored by all those who do honor, defend and uphold the Constitution.