Torture: Beyond The Pale
The image of CIA officers demonstrating and detailing torture techniques considered for use during detainee interrogations in the White House is one most Americans could probably never conceive. And yet, ABC News reported last week that senior Bush administration officials were privy to such presentations in the Situation Room as they discussed and approved the brutal treatment (such as waterboarding) of terror suspects. They also approved combining various techniques to be used on a suspect.
Included in the group were Vice President Dick Cheney, then-National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice (currently a lead contender for vice president on the Republican ticket), former Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld and ex-Secretary of State Colin Powell. Regarding the use of the techniques, Rice told the CIA: “This is your baby. Go do it,” as though assigning a casual project or giving a pep talk.
Former Attorney General John Ashcroft was also part of this committee, and while he was fine with the torture techniques, he was uncomfortable with the fact that the White House knew so much about them — doing so blows the whole “plausible deniability” argument. A former intelligence official told The Associated Press that the meetings were timed to the Justice Department memos approving the use of the techniques.
We agree with the American Civil Liberties Union calling for a congressional investigation into the matter. The fact that we torture suspects is unacceptable. That the White House reviewed and approved the techniques is beyond the pale.
© 2008 The Seattle Post-Intelligence
They have no shame
People get the government they deserve.
If above is a truism, then BOY! did you guys (the US) ever screw up!
It just shows how big the chip on their collective(Bushies) shoulder is. I mean, no White House has ever cavalierly thrown plausible deniability out the window. And they have “no fear” of Congressional investigations. During the past few years, whenever, Leahy or Feingold has cornered one of the rascals, their response has been some form of “so what?”. Congress has been completely emasuclated. I don’t know what we can do about that.
Anybody nootice how the story was carried only in some of the mainline press (mostly AP served papers & ABC network news) then disappeared from sight - even Bush’s support of these lawbreakers and their decisions.
The story was drowned out in ALL MSM by story after story of Iran becoming the new cause celebre for staying in Iraq.
The drumbeat continues with more stories about Iran arming the militias we have set the Iraqi govt after.
I pick July 4 or else Mid-August while everyone’s on vaction.
The beast is in command.
These bastards need to be impeached and removed from power NOW!
It should speak volumes that this story can break and nothing is done. In fact, unless you were paying attention, you wouldn’t even know that this happened.
Couple that with the fact that Bush admitted in an interview that he knew about these meetings…and hope for justice seem like a cry falling on deaf ears. Think about it…Bush did an interview and admitted he was privy to those in his staff sanctioning torture.
Society is in trouble friends.
America has become so… limp. That’s one outcome the Bush Administration has realized rather effectively.
Ah freethemedia, you noticed the shell game as well. I’ve thanked ABC and the AP for their diligence and, as it seems, courage for exposing the ’smoking gun’.
What was exposed are the same types of crimes that Germans were executed for after Nuremburg.
These crimes are much more than impeachment fodder for the utter arrogance in planning ‘crimes against humanity”.
Their souls be damned!
Come on - the “White House” is just giving their audience what it wants.
The top movie this weekend was “Prom Night.” A bunch of pretty people terrorized, tortured and murdered. Whoo hoo!
The “Saw” torture-tainment series has already grossed over $400M domestic, and parts 5 and 6 are already in production.
USA/Gallop reports 76% of Republicans continue to support Cheney/Bush. 41 million fellow “Americans.”
And, if you’ve even tried to watch one of the Saw so-called movies, you’ll realize that, in comparison, water torture (sometimes erroneously referred to as water-boarding,) is like a day at Happyland.
Where’s the outrage? That’s funny…
I seem to recall that one of the many different rationales given for invading Iraq was that their government tortured people.
Who will invade us, I wonder?
Homer Simpson: “Don’t blame me! I voted for Kodos!’
“
Reminds me of Condi Rice barely taking a break from a NYC shoe shopping trip to CONSIDER the PAIN of all those people trapped in a collapsing stadium with backed up rest room facilities after Katrina hit New Orleans.
Many women undergo a transformation when they give birth. In caring for another human being, one so completely vulnerable, aptitudes like empathy and compassion not initially present MAY develop. Condi Rice, like Dick Cheney, has a HEART of stone. Blumenthal’s article posted today explains how this collection of people, operated like some kind of magnet drawing the darkest human characters together for their shared ORGIE of power. Some enter public life to make the world a better place and genuinely CARE about people; others grow addicted to the base ego’s insatiable lust for POWER over others. All I can say is, karma catches up with every one.
This piece of “news” should be printed in every newspaper in the country and all over the web!
Also, if anyone by passed it, go back on today’s CD and read Sidney Blumenthal: Dick Cheney Was Never a “Grown Up”. The two articles really link together in terms of historical perspective on today’s reality.
In another article, McCain said he was tortured into giving a confession of his war crimes to the NVA in a POW camp….
So…was McCain guilty of what he said in his confession, by way of signing it? Or did he merely sign it to top the torture? (I am not advocating that the Vietnam was right…merely that torture is a means to an end)
He claims to be a war hero, but under torture, he confessed. Did he believe what he was saying was the truth when he signed?
The point is, torture rarely get to the truth…it only aids in getting said what the person issuing the torture wants to hear…
These guys (and woman) should be themselves subject, first hand, to what they approved and maybe they would have a different view…or within their twisted, sick minds….they might like it….cough cough…
It was wrong for the Nazi’s and Japan to subject our personnel and civilians to torture….when did it become the popular thing for our government….
Shame on them.
Galen:
I have been posting for months now that one of them has to grow some guts and be that person that starts a change OR join the people who are fighting for change. I have had one person in all the postings that have said they have been on a protest. Sheep and followers is the words I have used.
I am not the most religious person but as time is going on I am finding the evil dark side of mankind is winning more every day. It is as if the more a person looks to the heavens the more hate, murder and disregaurd for mankind happens in more spots around the world. I am at times starting to wonder if there is a God or are we some kind of mad test by a race greater than ours. No wonder people hope for life after death as the one on planet earth is turning bad real fast.
Good Luck — Please reconsider your perception that: “I am finding the evil dark side of mankind is winning more every day”
What one “see’s” and believes is (by the law of attraction) what one is creating, for tomorrow.
¿ Wouldn’t you prefer an unprecedented future, where the EVIL side is banished to the history books ?
I have knowledge that the good is far ahead and winning the hearts of minds of all OPEN and COURAGEOUS thinkers, who care more about their children and this planet, than blaming and being stuck in “REVERSE” — looking at what was.
Please eliminate the rear-view mirror of your LIFE’s vehicle, and move into an abundant future with LOVE and KINDESS.
Namaste