The lead editorial in the Oct. 7 edition of the Bangor Daily News refers to an amendment to a defense spending bill by Sen. John McCain to ban “cruel, inhuman or degrading or punishment” against anyone in U.S. custody no matter were they are held, but tilted toward mistreatment at Abu Ghraib and Guantanamo Bay.

It adds further that “The president has threatened to veto the bill if it contains the anti-torture measure.”

What a missed opportunity the amendment would be; to show the world that we are a civilized nation. Where is the Judeo-Christian ethic by which we live; to love (honor or respect) our neighbors and also our enemies?

It is called “agape.”

Otis D. Wolfe

Southwest Harbor