Senate Rebellion Breaks Out Against White House

The world is beginning to doubt the moral basis of our fight against terrorism.
—Former Secretary of State Colin Powell

The proposed legislation would strengthen U.S. adherence to Common Article 3 of the Geneva Conventions because it would add meaningful definition and clarification to vague terms in the treaties.
—Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice

bush also says common article 3 is "vague." have we got a reading comprehension issue here?

let's see if i can find something vague here:

(1) Persons taking no active part in the hostilities, including members of armed forces who have laid down their arms and those placed hors de combat by sickness, wounds, detention, or any other cause, shall in all circumstances be treated humanely, without any adverse distinction founded on race, colour, religion or faith, sex, birth or wealth, or any other similar criteria. To this end the following acts are and shall remain prohibited at any time and in any place whatsoever with respect to the above-mentioned persons:

(a) violence to life and person, in particular murder of all kinds, mutilation, cruel treatment and torture; (b) taking of hostages; (c) outrages upon personal dignity, in particular, humiliating and degrading treatment; (d) the passing of sentences and the carrying out of executions without previous judgment pronounced by a regularly constituted court affording all the judicial guarantees which are recognized as indispensable by civilized peoples.

is it "prohibited"? "cruel"? "dignity"? "outrages"? "regularly constituted court affording all the judicial guarantees which are recognized as indispensable by civilized peoples"?

or what?