Widespread

Low marks for the U.S. from Amnesty International.

Torture and inhumane treatment are "widespread" in U.S.-run detention centers in Afghanistan, Iraq, Cuba and elsewhere despite Washington's denials, Amnesty International said on Wednesday.

In a report for the United Nations' Committee against Torture, the London-based human rights group also alleged abuses within the U.S. domestic law enforcement system, including use of excessive force by police and degrading conditions of isolation for inmates in high security prisons.

"Evidence continues to emerge of widespread torture and other cruel, inhumane or degrading treatment of detainees held in U.S. custody," Amnesty said in its 47-page report.

It said that while Washington has sought to blame abuses that have recently come to light on "aberrant soldiers and lack of oversight," much ill-treatment stemmed from officially sanctioned interrogation procedures and techniques.

Yeah, it's just a couple of renegade hillbillies on the night shift. In Cuba. And Iraq. And Afghanistan. And in all those secret CIA "black sites" whose existence the goverment won't comment on but Mary McCarthy was fired for revealing.

Some coincidence, huh?

Speaking of the UN, circle January 2007 on your calendars. That's when Congress can do something about that recess appointment of John Bolton. Let's see if it actually does.