Comments on: High Priests of OLC Turned CIA Torture Into Holy Acts

By: D Freeman

D Freeman — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 18:19:01 +0000

Torturing is nothing new men has been into it since they could get up and walk and talk at the same time its nothing to do with information its to do with power and feeling of power over another human being as I am sure many of these so called adult men get their rocks off in these sessions , as for it being illegal this is what the Government's of these country say to make their people feel safe that it will not happen to them what was crucifying Jesus was not the first man to suffer this, and did not the Catholic Church have men who did in the name of God and they still have those who belong to its club and the Japanese and Vietnam and the USA and Britian we like to pretend that we do not but were experts at it as the white south Africans and what colour was the Nazis open the gates of hell and you will suffer we can all say we were falling orders but really these so called humans enjoy their job. Cheney who shot people when ever they back chatted him did not have that soulless look in his eyes for nothing . Saddam was put to death for war crimes when are others going to follow the same fate, it seems only fair to me.

By: D Freeman

D Freeman — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 11:19:01 +0000

By: Amerikagulag

Amerikagulag — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 17:10:07 +0000

“….The CIA officer assigned to an interrogation is no more responsible for the regimen of torture that he is asked to inflict — and told all the while is legal —….”

Not so. There is a moral question. Soldiers invading a country are given orders and relying on that information proceed with their mission – not with the intention of inflicting pain, but with the intention of righting a wrong. (in theory) Soldiers cannot simply disobey commands

The torturers, on the other hand are in FULL CONTROL of their complicity and have every right and opportunity to simply say “no”. Therein lies the difference and it's a WORLD of difference.

By: vince

vince — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 16:47:41 +0000

No apparent increase in susceptibility to severe pain has been observed either when techniques are used sequentially or simultaneously — for example, when an insult slap is simultaneously combined with water dousing or a kneeling stress position, or when wall standing is simultaneously combined with an abdominal slap and water dousing.

The insane ramblings of the psychopathic.

By: JZ

JZ — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 23:21:42 +0000

Just ask anyone who thinks torture is “justified”…..”If your son (or daughter) was in the military…and
was captured by the enemy….do you think it would be right for him (or her) to be water-boarded…?
…to be deprived of sleep for days or weeks on end…..to be slapped around…and thrown head first
against walls..” .if your answer is “yes”…..then….there's nothing I can further say…..

By: Leutrell M. Osborne, Sr.

Leutrell M. Osborne, Sr. — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 15:22:04 +0000

Any CIA Spy Manager knows the results of torture so show me the beef? Who is really being protected now that the administration is not planning to hold the interrogators responsible? Smells like there is protection for DOD resources may be since the DOD is mainly Republican controlled and managed right?
Regardless this topic on holding somebody responsible is really a side show while the genuine problems continue under the surface of this public psy game. What is really the DNI agenda?

When will the HUMINT capabilities be improved and increased? When will the funds be pulled from Covert Action intelligence operations so the funds can be used for greater results? Tell me when you news people will really get the more important stories going?

By: Tsutsugamushi

Tsutsugamushi — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 14:49:32 +0000

” The CIA officer assigned to an interrogation is no more responsible for the regimen of torture that he is asked to inflict — and told all the while is legal — than the soldier in Baghdad is responsible for the invasion of Iraq.”

Not correct. Under the command responsibility doctrine you will find that when given an illegal order you are obligated to refuse. So. if Iraq is an illegal war any soldier is mandated to not participate in it. “Just following orders” is no longer sufficient to avoid criminal prosecution when you engage is criminal acts, whoever ordered it! Admittedly, those responsible for giving the order are more culpable and sentence will be accordingly. But totally unaccountable the soldier in your case is not.

By: hiphoplawyer

hiphoplawyer — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 14:51:50 +0000

Mr. Tamm, I don't know if you'll check back here to see this, but I just wanted to say that I think you are a great American. A real hero. I am saddened and embarrassed by what has been done to you. On the bright side, it looks like you are beginning to some of the accolades you so greatly deserve. Very best wishes to you.

By: GlobalComment » Torture - Declassified

GlobalComment » Torture - Declassified — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 09:41:40 +0000

[...] Ackerman, at the Washington Independent, describes the memos as “medieval documents,” [...]

By: Thomas M. Tamm

Thomas M. Tamm — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 16:11:52 +0000

Great post Spencer. I guess if we are only to look forward, they will soon announce there is
no reason to prosecute me. I am pretty sure, however, when I prosecuted people for
murder, rape, kidnapping, it was always for past behaviour. Is it ok to prosecute something that
we think is going to happen? It seems to me, that it is incumbent on us to find out the truth
about what was perpetrated in our name. And then, we can exercise prosecutorial
discretion to decide, which, if any cases should go forward. That is what lawyers
in ever prosecutor's office in the country do everyday. Also, before you give anyone
immunity, you have to have a truthful, veribiable proffer of their complicity. You can't
buy a pig in a poke. In light of the new revelations about the government, exceeding their
expanded scope of wiretapping, and new torture techniques, it is imperative we learn
the truth of what happened. I was honored yesterday to receive the Ridenhour Prize
for truth telling. As I said, we deserve the truth, we need the truth, we can handle the
truth. In fact, bring it on.