Report On U.S. Torture Techniques Will Show ‘Shocking Brutality’
The reason we are signatories to the Geneva Convention and why we “don’t” torture prisoners of war is because it makes our own citizens vulnerable when captured. It’s also not humane, in keeping with the kind of country we purport to be. I put “don’t” in quotes because we “do” torture, and we do so because Bush 43’s White House lawyers said it was okay to do so. But it’s not okay to do so.
Security concerns are complicating the release of a controversial report on “enhanced interrogations techniques,” with officials fearing the document could inflame the Arab Street and put Americans in danger.
The White House and the CIA are working on final redactions to a 481-page executive summary of the investigation, which was conducted by Democrats on the Senate Intelligence Committee but boycotted by Republicans, who dispute its findings.
A congressional staffer said the report wouldn’t be ready for a “couple of weeks,” while the CIA said the declassification process should be finished by August 29th.
While an August release seems unlikely, putting the report out in early September might not be an option, as it would fall near the anniversary of the 9/11 attacks — a day when terrorist groups typically attempt to strike, as they did two years ago in Benghazi, Libya.
Officials have made clear the release date is a sensitive matter, as Democrats claim the report documents “shocking” brutality during the George W. Bush administration.
The CIA should be concerned about what’s in this report. So should all Americans. If we want to be a beacon of liberty and freedom, we cannot be torturing anyone. Ever. Besides being inhumane, it doesn’t even achieve the intended result of providing actionable intelligence.
edmeyer_able July 6th, 2014 at 12:37 pm
“The CIA should be concerned about what’s in this report. So should all Americans. If we want to be a beacon of liberty and freedom, we cannot be torturing anyone.
______________________________________________________________________
I think that went out the window in ’03 and wonder how many Veteran suicides could be attributed to the horrors of Iraq?
uzza July 6th, 2014 at 12:45 pm
They have a sincerely held religious belief in torture. Stop persecuting them.
Carla Akins July 6th, 2014 at 5:36 pm
nicely played. so good to see you here.
Robert Merrill Taylor July 6th, 2014 at 1:04 pm
Torture has been shown to be a useless method for gathering intelligence. A tortured person will say what the interrogator WANTS to hear. This is not necessarily what an interrogator NEEDS to hear (the truth). That is why true professional interrogators do not use torture, Torture is simply a way to provide employment to sociopaths.
Anomaly 100 July 6th, 2014 at 1:17 pm
“With officials fearing the document could inflame the Arab Street and put Americans in danger.”
Then stop it.
fancypants July 7th, 2014 at 12:12 am
I can see gwb eating popcorn while this sh*t was going on
Bob Waas July 7th, 2014 at 8:46 am
Yea, it is much better for Obama to be sitting in the situation room watching as the drone blows up the enemy along with innocent bystanders; and without due process. If you ask them which they would prefer, I would bet they would take enhanced interrogation.
fancypants July 10th, 2014 at 2:04 pm
is this the same kind of drone attacks that the right wants to see in Iraq against ISIS ?
Yea I think it is !
Bob Waas July 10th, 2014 at 7:10 pm
My comment about drone attacks was to show the hypocrisy of those who think water boarding is worse than being killed by a drone. I’m all for drone attacks; especially if it keeps our troops from being out of the battle on the ground.
Obewon July 10th, 2014 at 10:03 pm
Pro-torture GOP miss the shock and awe of boots on the ground without realizing today’s drone accuracy greatly minimizes collateral damage, costs and support staff footprints.
fancypants July 10th, 2014 at 10:15 pm
the problem lies where most of the enemy knows about our drones and im more then sure they will be traveling / hanging out in heavily populated areas.
Add this to the list of reasons why we shouldn’t be in Iraq to begin with
fancypants July 10th, 2014 at 10:41 pm
At the end of the day its also obvious “they ” want the drones to come out so “we” once again can be called murderers for hire. The Iraq government has proven to be corrupt after our long efforts to keep the peace while they chose their elected officials. There is nothing more we can do to restore this country for long term peace Even with drones. Don’t fall victim the the right wing talking points obewon.
Obewon July 10th, 2014 at 11:49 pm
I’ve never supported any Iraqi incursion although I did agree with the northern & southern no-fly zone protecting the Kurds, et al. At this point GWB’s chosen & trusted leader al-Maliki further illustrates the unanimous failures of W/Cheney’s worst foreign policy decision in U.S. history.
1 hour ago via Reuters: Kurdish regional government calls on al-Maliki to step down:) Adding to most everyone calling for a new Iraq leader. http://www.bostonglobe.com/news/world/2014/07/10/kurdish-regional-government-calls-maliki-step-down/wy5G9ezLIWopLpeMKewg0O/story.html
Bob Waas July 11th, 2014 at 1:14 pm
Al Malik was elected April 30 2009, so that was on BHO’s watch
mea_mark July 11th, 2014 at 1:24 pm
So what does that tell us? Obama became president in January replacing Bush who had already been working toward getting Maliki elected. It doesn’t really tell us much if you ask me.
Bob Waas July 11th, 2014 at 8:47 pm
Funny how that works. The election wasn’t until April 30th, what was Obama doing before then?
Funny how Obama is never responsible for anything negative, but he takes all the credit for the successes, even when they were done by others.
mea_mark July 12th, 2014 at 8:47 am
Just in case your memory is fading we were having a financial crises caused by the previous administration. There were a few pesky details to deal with at that time.
Bob Waas July 12th, 2014 at 10:59 am
6 years later and still blaming Bush for the financial crises, which we already proven was caused by the Democrats refusal to tighten up sub-prime loans; as requested by Bush and McCain. Didn’t Obama say he would fix the problem if elected president? He made a lot of promises with didn’t come to fruition and is still blaming his failures on others.
He not only didn’t fix the problem, he accelerated it.
“According to the Congressional Budget Office, from 2006 – 2008, the three years before Obama took office, the deficit was $248 billion, $161 billion, and $459 billion, respectively. Obama was elected in November 2008 and took office in January 2009. Here’s what the deficit has looked like every year since:”
2009 – $1,413 billion
2010 – $1,294 billion
2011 – $1,296 billion
2012 – $1,087 billion
I’m surprised you’re still buying that nonsense.
Bob Waas July 7th, 2014 at 8:44 am
I’m not for torture. Making a prisoner uncomfortable so they will be more inclined to share information during an interrogation is acceptable; although some consider it torture just to be subjected to repeated playing of Acky Breaky Heart.
A couple of fallacies regarding this enemy. 1. No matter how nice we are, they will never treat our prisoners in a humane way; and most times beheading is the final act.
Proof of that is Jimmy Carter made nice and our Embassy was attacked and our people were held for over 400 days. President Obama apologized to all the Islamic people and they still hate us.
2. These prisoners are covered only by our decency towards human life and are not afforded protection offered in the Geneva Conference. In order for a POW to be granted the rights under the Geneva Conference they must wear the uniform of the country that signed the agreement.
Obewon July 10th, 2014 at 8:52 pm
Illegal torture by the GWB / Cheney admin violated UCMJ, Geneva conventions & UN treaties the US remains signatories of as constitutionally ratified.
Anybody advocating torture is a delusional nutcase as GOP McCain-Palin Voter calls into Limbaugh explaining to Rusty the misogynist racist “It’s like you’re all brainwashed Nazi’s!” Rush Limbaugh called NAZI by an ex-marine. republican. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RNJ5nn2-2oo&feature=player_embedded
Bob Waas July 11th, 2014 at 1:02 pm
Terrorists are not covered by the Geneva Convention.
Obewon July 11th, 2014 at 2:34 pm
(via my comments below)- I vastly prefer drone accuracy minimizing collateral damage -following the US Milt required adjudication and any targets verification combined with today’s increased minimization and near elimination of collateral damage.
Today’s stealth recon armed drones deliver excellent surveillance waiting for that moment when the Milt adjudicated enemy target walks away to take a final relief.
Pro-torture GOP miss the shock and awe of boots on the ground without realizing today’s drone accuracy greatly minimizes collateral damages, costs, and support staff footprints.
Declines in civilian casualties likely due to improved drone technology & required target verification wisely leveraged by the Obama Admin in reducing non-enemy combatant casualties. http://www.juancole.com/2014/01/obamas-campaign-later.html Illustrating the Obama Admin drones 2,300 EKIA vs GWB’s mere 500 in all 8 years, but with GWB’s nearly 500% greater collateral damage deaths of women & kids, etc.