Not even the ends justify Bush's means
While I'm on the subject of Bush endorsed torture perfectly humane interrogation techniques, this from the WaPo reminds us of what it feels like to be on the receiving end of this information extraction process.
President Bush is urging Congress to let the CIA keep using "alternative" interrogation procedures -- which include, according to published accounts, forcing prisoners to stand for 40 hours, depriving them of sleep and use of the "cold cell," in which the prisoner is left naked in a cell kept near 50 degrees and doused with cold water.This is not that new. The article notes the first person accounts already available in print from those who survived such similar encounters. Do you think the CIA will render me if I mention that George has convinced me they're a useful tool in extracting intelligence and I think he should demonstrate their effficacy by submitting to them himself? Maybe that way we can get some intelligent answers on why we're applying these methods to 14,000 "security detainees" even as you read this and still don't have any useful intel but we do have a growing terrorist threat.
posted by Libby Spencer at 3:35 PM
6 Comments:
Good suggestion, but why stop with Bush? Rumsfeld, Condi, Cheney, et al should be subjected to equal treatment!
Everyone in the White House and everyone who is pushing for this legalized torture bill should have to spend a week being subjected to the methods.
Bush cheney and rumsfeld are constantly taking vacations. they don't seem to be invovled in their jobs at all. theres no way they deserve having the rules changed for them, nnor do I trust that they will use these in good fraith.
When did our country go from being the leader of the free world to a country where torture is being discussed? What a freakin' shame.
Lester, it shouldn't even be a question.
PoP, I agree it's bizarre and I didn't think I'd see a day in my lifetime when this country wouldn't have immediately impeached any president who dared to suggest it was acceptable. Much less have anyone else defend it.
You are right--it is not new. I seem to remember Janet Reno authorizing the use of sleep deprivation via use of loud rock music to torture American citizens at Waco a short time ago. Before they were all murdered that is.
Don't kid yourself. These types of tatics have been used for a very long time in our country by folks of all political persuasions and parties. From the Revolution to the Civil War, to WWI and II, Korea, Viet Nam, Iraq and the so-called War on Terror. I don't think any new "compromise" law will change that in the end.
Mankind likes to withdraw blood for blood. Unfortunately, that is our nature, and I don't think any amount of condemning, pleading, blogging, or legislating will change the animal nature of man.
(sigh)
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