Jerry Nadler: “this is how a nation that has become fearful loses its moral compass, its identity, its values, and, ultimately, its…”

“this is how a nation that has become fearful loses its moral compass, its identity, its values, and, ultimately, its freedom. It is ironic that the people who use the word freedom with reckless abandon, in everything from fries to a global vision, should come before the American people today advocating for the suspension of habeas corpus, secret Star Chamber tribunals, unlimited detention without review and, yes, torture. I know, we've been told it's not really torture, but I am sickened by the quibbling, legalistic hair splitting on something so basic to our nation's fundamental values. Have you forgotten? We are America. Let me say that again: we are the United States of America. We have stood as a beacon to the world. People have aspired to our way of life, our values, our example, our leadership. We are told that our enemies do not respect the rules of war or the rights of their captives, but do you really believe that 'somewhat better than al Qaeda' is how we should measure our conduct? I don't. And now, with scant deliberation, in an election eve stampede, we are urged to throwaway our values, our honor, our constitution, and our standing in the world as if it were yesterday's newspaper. Yes, we must be vigilant to keep our nation safe, but we must not stand by while the honor and values of our nation are permanently stained by this detestable legislation. It is beneath us. It is not what we stand for.”