"Water Boarding" Banned In Interrogations

Method That Simulates Drowning Has Been Used On Several Al Qaeda Prisoners

(CBS)  U.S. officials confirm that water boarding -- a controversial interrogation technique in which prisoners are made to feel like they are drowning -- has been banned from the coercive techniques that can be used in questioning high-value prisoners, reports CBS News national security correspondent David Martin.

A handful of senior al Qaeda prisoners held by the Central Intelligence Agency in secret prisons, including Khalid Sheik Mohammed, were subjected to water boarding in an effort to get information about terror plots against the United States.

The technique has not been used against any prisoners in the last couple years. Other coercive techniques -- such as stress positions and sleep deprivation -- can still be used.

Officially, the CIA never admitted it used water boarding. Therefore it also refuses to say whether it has been banned.

[cbs_oliver]

Isn''t there an Algazeera journalist who has been held for years in solitary and under stress at Gitmo who is on the verge of dying from depression - just letting himself waste away?

I guess waterboarding is not the only way to torture a person.

I wonder how the CBS hired iraqi journalist that has been held without charge in Iraq for a year or something is doing?

[nearl4511]

A glimmer of hope for rationality and International law?

I''m shocked!

[feelfree1]

Re: "U.S. officials confirm that water boarding -- a controversial interrogation technique in which prisoners are made to feel like they are drowning -- has been banned from the coercive techniques that can be used in questioning high-value prisoners"

Hmmm...which torture methods are still on the "go" list for the Bush regime?

[actornaught]

"...which torture methods are still on the "go" list for the Bush regime?"

Waiting for January, 2009......

[kansas1946]

Oh, thank God that this hideous practice is at least banned in theory. I am sure a few sadists will still try to use it, but at least we don''t have to explain to the free world why we are allowing it in the open. Bush and his whole gang are evil, pure and simple. Maybe the reign of terror, torture, and destruction of civil liberties is finally over.

[kansas1946]

"...which torture methods are still on the "go" list for the Bush regime?"

Waiting for January, 2009......
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Posted by actornaught at 10:52 PM : Sep 14, 2007
****************************
LOL. Have you ever noticed that liberals and moderates have a sense of humor (even in the worst of times) and conservatives don''t? That was funny, naughtyactor!

[kansas1946]

The technique has not been used against any prisoners in the last couple years. Other coercive techniques -- such as stress positions and sleep deprivation -- can still be used.
***********************
How about treating prisoners with decency and respect. Gee, you might just win a few hearts and change a few minds.

[j-whitman]

Bush says our troops can come home..... I''d crack up if they all bought thier own tickets & left

[sgtrds]

Waterboarding is for woosies. Gimme a car battery and a couple of wet sponges in the crotch and I''''ll get you a handwritten confession every time.

Posted by Nancy_Naive at 11:35 PM : Sep 14, 2007

Now if we can just get you a pass into the presidents private quarters....of course Jeff Gannon might have been even rougher on him during one of their sessions..........

;-)

[sgtrds]

A glimmer of hope for rationality and International law?

Posted by Nearl4511 at 10:28 PM : Sep 14, 2007

Sadly probably not. Even thought they say they aren''t going to water-board any more, the also said they never tortured in the first place. They lie so often and ignore the law even more often that I''m not sure that even they know what the difference is any longer.

[donnie900]

I kinda looked at this issue like an iceberg. That if they were telling us that they were running water down their faces hanging them upsidedown, that it was like just the tip of the iceberg. That the public admission meant alot more was going on. And you can''t watch a television series like 24 and not get to wondering who the bad guys are. Even Robert De Niro in that movie Ronin said that "everybody has a breaking point".

So I guess my point is, is that maybe this isn''t so much a conceding as it is a relieving, the way washington often does. They tell us lies to make us feel good. But I sincerely doubt that there are any interrogators, even rational ones out there, who don''t use torture in their tactics. Sincerely.

And I also sincerely doubt that any other country out there, western or not, doesn''t either.

[usayesterday]

"Other coercive techniques -- such as stress positions and sleep deprivation -- can still be used."

And some consider that (mentioned above) as "torture". So what is "torture"? Many define it differently because "torture" is a subjective term.

My ex-girlfriend thought I tortured her when I wouldn''t stop at every antique store that we passed by on a road trip..... EVERY ANTIQUE STORE! That''s torture?!

Well, my torture is over... because I''m over her!

:-)

[scone47]

Let me see if I get this straight?

For the US, torture is anything that would upset someone. Not anything that truly hurts them, not anything that causes them long-term pain and suffering, and certainly not anything that would kill them. And why would we "torture" anyone? To prevent attacks on our troups, our people and our country.

But let''s look at the other side''s view of torture... beatings and beheadings. And for what? To video tape and terrorize anyone that opposes them. To prove their commitment to inflict pain and suffering against the West.

Hmmmm, wonder which one is real torture?

[Krazcarl]

I''m surprised as a civilized society were even having a debate on torture. The terrible thing of 9/11 is that we have taken the low road out of of fear were not torturing Bin were torturing anyone who knew him.

[clew37]

The reason torture should not be used, as many people in the distant past finally realized(witch hunters, etc.) is that it us unreliable. People will say whatever it is you want to hear to stop it, even the truly innocent. How many people confessed to being witches, flying broomsticks, dancing with the devil, etc.? They call them witch-hunts folks.

[crater7]

NOW THEY HAVE GONE TOO FAR!

THEY DONE WENT AND TISSED OFF VEEP PREZ CHEEEEENNNYYYYYYYY.

HOW ARE THEY GOING TO KEEP ALL THOSE TERRORIST CLEAN, NO MORE DUNKING FOR APPLES.

STAY THE COURSE..............

[taotxzen]

A handful of senior al Qaeda prisoners held by the Central Intelligence Agency in secret prisons, including Khalid Sheik Mohammed, were subjected to water boarding in an effort to get information about terror plots against the United States.

The technique has not been used against any prisoners in the last couple years. Ann Coulter is Smokin'' Hot, Bush deserves the Noble Peace Prize, Rush is a Moderate, Humanitarian, Cheney is just misunderstood, Iraq actually has WMD, it''s not about the oil or the 430 trillion dollar military defense industry...

[btree50]

My question about the "water boarding" is this, if that is torture, what do you call beheading people like Daniel Pearl, the burning of american soldier bodies and then hanging them from a bridge. People forget about what happened to these guys, and many more.
I am not saying its 100 percent right, but some times you have to fight fire with fire. The religious zealots fear very little especially us. They do not hesitate to cut off a head, knowing because of the american public, that will never happen to them. They have rights you know.

[taotxzen]

If you think it is fine to waterboard suspected terrorist then why not use a drill on their head. Hey, that would get them singing like canaries! I know Saddam''s thugs were accused of that, and if it''s good enough for the terrorist....whoops, Saddam turned out not to be connected to the terrorist - Dang! But he liked torture too.

Anyway, the only thing I would recommend is that you not venture overseas, who knows maybe you get caught in the wrong country, run up on a few fellas that have had there heads drilled out or were waterboarded then latter released, they might hold a small grudge. Or maybe you have a chance encounter with the father of a captured Marine...

By the way does Israel utilize torture? Now there''s a country that is only 50 miles wide and for the most part surrounded by people wishing to push them into the sea. Hey, their situation is probably worse than ours! Maybe you should give ''em a call.

If you%u2019re thinking that we only waterboarded %u2018senior al Qaeda prisoners%u2019 remember what Bush said, %u2018we don%u2019t torture.%u2019, followed shortly by, %u2018Bush White House declares torture vital to US security policy.%u2019

[taotxzen]

By the way, which of the 14,000 detainees that the U.S. military is keeping beyond the reach of established law (see AP article) should we waterboard? Where do you draw the line? Who draws the line - an independent contractor? Wouldn''t you like to see that contract? I guess we could just send them to another country so that they can go to work on them. How many of those individuals will later be released once their "confessions" have been found to be inaccurate? Won''t they have some stories to tell!

Published on Sunday, September 17, 2006 by the Associated Press
U.S. War Prisons Legal Vacuum for 14,000
by Patrick Quinn

In the few short years since the first shackled Afghan shuffled off to Guantanamo, the U.S. military has created a global network of overseas prisons, its islands of high security keeping 14,000 detainees beyond the reach of established law.

Captured on battlefields, pulled from beds at midnight, grabbed off streets as suspected insurgents, tens of thousands now have passed through U.S. detention, the vast majority in Iraq.

Many say they were caught up in U.S. military sweeps, often interrogated around the clock, then released months or years later without apology, compensation or any word on why they were taken. Seventy to 90 percent of the Iraq detentions in 2003 were "mistakes," U.S. officers once told the international Red Cross.

[formrusmcsgt]

Posted by scone47 at 01:53 AM : Sep 15, 2007

You are trying to compare terrorism to torture. It doesn''t wash.

[btree50]

You just made my point for me. No where did you say a word about what they have done to innocent people. The only fault you see is on our side. Believe me when I say there is fault on BOTH sides. Maybe you should look up the pictures of those bodies hanging from the bridge, but I guess in your eyes that is ok.

[taotxzen]

Maybe you should look up ''Blackwater: The Rise of the World''s Most Powerful Mercenary Army'' they''re the ones that sent those guys over to Fallujah, they sent them under staffed and without enough protection into that hellhole and who are now refusing to pay benefits to the families of the fallen. Look at those picturs again and think about that.

[taotxzen]

On March 31, 2004, four men working for Blackwater USA as security guards -- Scott Helvenston, Wesley Batalona, Jerry Zovko and Michael Teague -- were ambushed by insurgents in Fallujah. They were killed, their bodies burned and mutilated, and two were strung up on a bridge over the Euphrates. The insurgents made their own video of the attack, broadcasting the images around the world. Almost overnight, the issue of private contractors in Iraq was put on the map. The Marines in charge of the area didn''t know the Blackwater team would be traveling that day into the dangerous city of Fallujah, but four days later they were ordered to invade the city and find the killers; this was not the original plan they had had for quelling the insurgency in the area.

The Blackwater mission was to provide security for trucks belonging to a food caterer, ESS. The empty trucks were being sent to pick up kitchen equipment from the 82nd Airborne. But the Blackwater men were uneasy. One team member, former Army Ranger Wes Batalona, complained to a friend that the team had never worked together before. And contractually, Blackwater was to supply two SUVs with three guards per vehicle. Instead, the men set out that morning with just two men per car, each short a rear gunner.

(cont)

[taotxzen]

(cont)

After the killings, concerns mounted about the regulation and accountability of private security companies. In a case that is being closely watched by contractors, the families of the men filed wrongful death lawsuits against Blackwater in January 2005. The suits charge Blackwater "knowingly and intentionally" sent the men out "without the needed and promised protections" such as equipment, personnel and maps (read the lawsuit, PDF file).

But in a privatized war,it''s hard to determine who can be held responsible; disentangling the chain of contracts behind the mission is difficult and has so far obscured any final accountability. Blackwater denies responsibility for the contractors'' deaths and says it doesn''t know who directed the March 31st mission. Blackwater was contracted through a Kuwaiti company, Regency, to a Cypriot company, ESS, the food caterer. ESS has refused to tell FRONTLINE exactly whom they were working for.

[drummer94]

Let''s see here. These radical muslims swear they will kill all infidels wherever we are found, yet a few bleeding hearts are poo-pooin an interrogation technique. I say bamboo under the fingernails or how ''bout smashing fingers/toes one at a time? Or how about this one- make ''em denounce their religion and become catholic- that would have to be the worse for those clowns.

[formrusmcsgt]

I guess this means that Bush and Cheney won''t have to worry about being "water-boarded" when they are taken to the Hague......

[heyitsme_76]

How else can you extract valuable information from such hardcore terrorists ?? Yeah, maybe a hot cup of coffee and a soothing back rub might help.. Throw in an exciting new Al-Qaeda training video in HD-DVD on a big screen TV, and these folks might feel very much at home, ready to spill the beans..!!

[formrusmcsgt]

Let''''s see here. These radical muslims swear they will kill all infidels wherever we are found, yet a few bleeding hearts are poo-pooin an interrogation technique. I say bamboo under the fingernails or how ''''bout smashing fingers/toes one at a time? Or how about this one- make ''''em denounce their religion and become catholic- that would have to be the worse for those clowns.
Posted by drummer94 at 10:02 AM : Sep 15, 2007

I''ll wager that you enjoyed torturing animals as a child......maybe still do.

[taotxzen]

The CIA contracted Blackwater to work in Afghanistan in the early stages of US operations there. In the ensuing years the company has become one of the greatest beneficiaries of the %u201Cwar on terror,%u201D winning nearly $1 billion in noncovert government contracts, many of them no-bid arrangements.

In 2005 after Hurricane Katrina its forces deployed in New Orleans, where it billed the federal government $950 per man, per day%u2013at one point raking in more than $240,000 a day. At its peak the company had about 600 contractors deployed from Texas to Mississippi.

[ioweign]

How else can you extract valuable information from such hardcore terrorists ?? Yeah, maybe a hot cup of coffee and a soothing back rub might help.. Throw in an exciting new Al-Qaeda training video in HD-DVD on a big screen TV, and these folks might feel very much at home, ready to spill the beans..!!

Posted by heyitsme_76 at 10:03 AM : Sep 15, 2007

Getting information out of ANYBODY is a mute subject with the Bush Administration. They had info on bin Laden and look what happened. They make their own up as they go anyway ! We are in Iraq because of "Whatever reason it is this week!" - Hey - I see Rudy si starting his own reasons now too.

[taotxzen]

Last point:

Blackwater USA. Unbeknownst to many Americans and largely off the Congressional radar, Blackwater has secured a position of remarkable power and protection within the US war apparatus. This company%u2019s success represents the realization of the life%u2019s work of the conservative officials who formed the core of the Bush Administration%u2019s war team, for whom radical privatization has long been a cherished ideological mission. Blackwater has repeatedly cited Rumsfeld%u2019s statement that contractors are part of the %u201CTotal Force%u201D as evidence that it is a legitimate part of the nation%u2019s %u201Cwarfighting capability and capacity.%u201D Invoking Rumsfeld%u2019s designation, the company has in effect declared its forces above the law%u2013entitled to the immunity from civilian lawsuits enjoyed by the military, but also not bound by the military%u2019s court martial system.

[drummer94]

You''d lose the bet sarge. The point was I don''t care how information is gathered. I feel no sympathy towards these guys ''cause they will torture you and me with a lot more gusto than we ever will. Then they will kill us.

[taotxzen]

drummer94

I%u2019m sorry that you lack the mental capacity to grasp this situation. You have proven an old TaoTxZen notion:

You can lead a conservative to the truth,
but you can%u2019t make him think.

Turn off O%u2019Reilly and Fox News and pick up a newspaper (it%u2019s full of news and facts) and begin reading. At first you might find that nothing is happening. But if you keep it up and stay with it something will happen, I promise.

[drummer94]

X-CUSE me taotxzen!!!! Did you just call me a conser--oops I almost puked. Listen up moron. I am so far left that''s the way my dingle dangles. Check out my posts before you open the pie hole. Now that I got that outta the way, what are your suggestions for garnering intel? milk and falafel?

[hadenufff]

drummer94, so you say all the news and facts are in the newspapers???? I suppose just like the New Jerk Times and the Petraus slam job! Maybe you ought to tune in to Fox News and get your head out of your ***.

[drummer94]

That wasn''t me HadEnufff. Wanna re-post now?

[crater7]

DID YOU HEAR THE ONE ABOUT;

REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES NEED TO MAKE A "CLEAN BREAK" FROM PRESIDENT BUSH, AND THE U S GOVERNMENT OR THEY WILL LOSE THE ELECTION.

HE CITED THE IRAQ WAR, THE FAILED FEDERAL RESPONSE TO HURRICANE KATRINA, AND THE INABILITY TO CONTROL U S BORDERS AND ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION AS EVIDENCE OF A NEED FOR A COMPLETE OVERHAUL OF THE U S SYSTEM OF GOVERNING;

DOES ANYONE KNOW WHO SAID THIS?

OBAMA, HILLARY, EDWARDS, NOPE. TAKE A GUESS.

STAY THE COURSE.............

[taotxzen]

I suggest you try breathing thru your nose

[taotxzen]

I am no fan of Israel having lived there and seeing how much influence they have over our foreign policy. However, we can certainly learn from the Massad. FTI - I don''t beleive they torture folks and I don''t believe you are a progressive.

[ioweign]

drummer94, so you say all the news and facts are in the newspapers???? I suppose just like the New Jerk Times and the Petraus slam job! Maybe you ought to tune in to Fox News and get your head out of your ***.

Posted by HadEnufff at 10:51 AM : Sep 15, 2007

If Petraeus can''t handle an ad in the New York Times then how can he handle a situation in Iraq ??

Where did the term "Swiftboating" come from?

Cleland served in the United States Army during the Vietnam War, attaining the rank of Captain. He was awarded the Silver Star and the Bronze Star for valorous action in combat, including during the Battle of Khe Sanh on April 4th, 1968.



Running for Max Cleland''s Georgia Senate seat in 2002, the Republican Chambliss questioned his opponent''s patriotism. You may recall he even ran TV ads with photos of Cleland alongside those of Osama Bin Laden and Saddam Hussein. The ads were roundly maligned at the time as a new low in political dirty tricks. But, of course, they had the desired effect...... Chambliss won.

[vet_sk]

That was Newt, no less.
Yeah, who would ever want to hitch their wagon to a war criminal.
Bush has authorized torture, renditions, and a fully illegal war in Iraq. Hopefully as soon as Jan 20, 2009 rolls around, some country will indict him.
Perhaps a good reason to keep Spandou Prison open.

[taotxzen]

Petraus%u2019 superior, Admiral Fallon did a %u201CSlam Job%u201D on him as will the Pentagon report that will be released next week. Don%u2019t look for either on Fox News.

[crater7]

vet_sk at 11:am 9-15-07;

WE GOT US A WINNER FOLKS;

JUST SHOWS HOW THE REPUBS ARE RUNNING FOR THE HILLS.

STAY THE COURSE.........

[taotxzen]

As a matter of fact, it seems that Fox News no longer covers the war in Iraq.

[taotxzen]

As a matter of fact, it seems that Fox News no longer covers the war in Iraq:

Fox News still covering Iraq half as much as other networks.

In the first quarter of 2007, Fox News covered the war in Iraq half as much as rivals CNN and MSNBC. A new study, released today by the Project for Excellence in Journalism, finds that while Iraq coverage %u201Cfell sharply%u201D across the board in the second quarter of 2007, the gap between Fox News and its rivals %u201Cremained and in some cases even widened%u201C

[donbl1]

Actually, not as much to report "from Iraq" this past week after the hearings started.........

The Sheik supporting US being killed was about the biggest one I remember. Al-Qaeda took responsibility for that one.

I hope America''s enemies have determined that only peace will get us out quicker.

[taotxzen]

so you say all the news and facts are in the newspapers???? I suppose just like the New Jerk Times and the Petraus slam job! Maybe you ought to tune in to Fox News and get your head out of your ***.

Posted by HadEnufff at 10:51 AM : Sep 15, 2007

I rest my case...like shootin'' tuna in a can.

[lars008-2009]

it is fascist nazi terrorislam stupid%u2026.

non muslims of the world unite... fight against the tyranny of the fascist nazi terrorslam imperialist empire of the darkside...

I was a fanatic...I know their thinking, says former radical Islamist
By blaming the Government for our actions, those who pushed this "Blair''s bombs" line did our propaganda work for us.
More important, they also helped to draw away any critical examination from the real engine of our violence: Islamic theology.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=465570&in_page_id=1770

Bless the Beasts and Children
Fascist nazi terrorslam kills every man woman and child in the village again%u2026 typical mo for terrorslam%u2026
http://www.michaelyon-online.com/wp/bless-the-beasts-and-children.htm

Our Prophet commanded us to fight the kaafirs when we are able and to attack them in their homelands and to give them three choices before we enter their lands: either they become Muslim and be like us, sharing our rights and duties; or they pay the jizyah (poll tax) and feel themselves subdued; or they fight, in which case their wealth, women, children and homes become permissible as booty for the Muslims.
http://islamqa.com/index.php?ref=13759&ln=eng&txt=before%20islam%20arabia%20pagan

the truth about fascist nazi terrorislam...
http://www.terrorismawareness.org/what-really-happened/

[taotxzen]

fascist?