High School Scholars Confront Bush on Torture

Posted by Adam Howard at 5:11 AM on June 26, 2007.

Adam Howard: Bush thought he was doing a standard photo-op, but 50 high school scholars had a different idea.

"I never was one much for book learnin'"

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The AP reports:

WASHINGTON — President Bush was presented with a letter Monday signed by 50 high school seniors in the Presidential Scholars program urging a halt to "violations of the human rights" of terror suspects held by the United States.

The White House said Bush had not expected the letter but took a moment to read it and talk with a young woman who handed it to him.

"The president enjoyed a visit with the students, accepted the letter and upon reading it let the student know that the United States does not torture and that we value human rights," deputy press secretary Dana Perino said.

So apparently this collection of high school kids is more aware of our foreign policy and our interrogation methods than the deputy press secretary and the president himself. This move reminds me of when Sen. Jim Webb (D-VA) was callously accosted by George W. Bush at a White House meet and greet and asked, "How's your boy?", expected to the standard issue pleasantries and was instead told that's "between me and my boy."

According to the AP, "The designation as a Presidential Scholar is one of the nation's highest honors for graduating high school students. Each year the program selects one male and one female student from each state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Americans living abroad, 15 at-large students, and up to 20 students in the arts on the basis of outstanding scholarship, service, leadership and creativity." These are some seriously exceptional students who have the ability to embrace the logic and respect for humanity that evades the president.

More from the AP:

The handwritten letter said the students "believe we have a responsibility to voice our convictions."

"We do not want America to represent torture. We urge you to do all in your power to stop violations of the human rights of detainees, to cease illegal renditions, and to apply the Geneva Convention to all detainees, including those designated enemy combatants," the letter said.

Yet another recent example of the right being outsmarted by high schoolers.

Tagged as: bush, high school scholars, torture

Adam Howard is the editor of PEEK.