Relief available for torture victims

Thankfully, torture hasn't been in our local news. But there's been a lot of information coming out about secret CIA torture centers, "rendition" to torturing countries, contract interrogators and treatment of prisoners, etc. When I read that our vice president referred to the use of water boarding, where the victim almost drowns, as a "little dunking," I was sickened to realize how much more like our enemies we are becoming as a nation.

This administration condones torture even though it's against international and American law.

I hope most Americans don't condone it. We must stop torture everywhere.

The recent Global Exchange program on the subject at the Thousand Oaks library informed us that there are a half million torture victims living in the U.S. right now.

The speaker, Dr. Michael Nutkiewicz, executive director of the Program for Torture Victims (PTV) spoke about the unique needs of torture survivors.

Founded more than 20 years ago, PTV provides a range of psychological, medical and social services for victims of statesponsored torture.

If you know someone who could use these services here in the L.A. area, tell them to call Dr. Nutkiewicz at (213) 747-4944, ext. 253, or make contact via email at Nutkiewicz@ptvla.org. Gordon Clint Newbury Park