Republicans Stop Bill To Ban Waterboarding

Graham Places Hold On Bill, Calls Prohibition Against CIA Use Of Waterboarding "Ill-Advised"

(CBS/AP)  Senate Republicans blocked a bill Friday that would restrict the interrogation methods the CIA can use against terrorism suspects.

The bill would require the CIA to adhere to the Army's field manual on interrogation, which bans waterboarding, mock executions and other harsh interrogation methods.

The interrogation procedure, which is recognized as a form of torture by making the subject think he's drowning, is banned by international law. It has been used by CIA interrogators on terrorism suspects, or by those to whom U.S. prisoners have been sent via rendition flights.

It was recently learned that the CIA ordered the destruction of videotapes of interrogations in which detainees were reportedly subjected to waterboarding and other harsh measures.

The legislation, part of a measure authorizing the government's intelligence activities for 2008, had been approved a day earlier by the House by a vote of 222-199, and sent to the Senate for what was supposed to be final action.

Senate opponents of that provision, however, discovered a potentially fatal parliamentary flaw: The ban on torture had not been in the original versions of the intelligence bill passed by the House and Senate. Instead, it was a last-minute addition during negotiations between the two sides to write a compromise bill, a move that could violate Senate rules. The rule is intended to protect legislation from last-minute amendments that neither house of Congress has had time to fully consider.

Although it's not unheard of for new language to be added in House-Senate negotiations and accepted anyway, the rules allow such a move to be challenged and the language stripped from the bill.

Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., placed a hold on the intelligence bill, preventing the Senate from voting on it while the challenge goes forward.

"I think quite frankly applying the Army field manual to the CIA would be ill-advised and would destroy a program that I think is lawful and helps the country," Graham said in an interview.

If the Senate were to approve a stripped-down authorization bill next week, it would then have to go back to the House for another vote.

The field manual amendment was pushed by Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein of California and backed by two Senate Republicans, Olympia Snowe of Maine and Chuck Hagel of Nebraska.

Feinstein defended the provision and said the Senate should debate it. "The Army Field Manual has been an effective guide for the military," she said. "It was very carefully written and reviewed. It has not come under criticism, unlike the constant criticism in the CIA arena .... It is my belief that America is not well-served by torture."

The White House threatened to veto the bill this week over the interrogation restrictions and a list of other issues. The CIA denies that it tortures detainees.

The Army field manual, adopted in 2006, prohibits forcing detainees to be naked, perform sexual acts, or pose in a sexual manner; placing hoods or sacks over detainees' heads or duct tape over their eyes; beating, shocking, or burning detainees; threatening them with military dogs; exposing them to extreme heat or cold; conducting mock executions; depriving them of food, water, or medical care; and waterboarding.

The CIA is known to have waterboarded three prisoners but has not used the technique since 2003, according to a government official familiar with the program who spoke on condition of anonymity because the information is classified. CIA Director Michael Hayden prohibited waterboarding in 2006.

The White House gave the CIA special latitude to conduct harsh or "enhanced" interrogations in 2002.

[bareemperor]

History has proven that being badder than the bad guys is not the answer to terrorism. Bu$hCo is wrong and will ultimately pay the higher price.

[denn034]

This Reagan Republican opposes that. Torture is contrary to the Geneva Convention and should be opposed by all civilized peoples.

[denn034]

"History has proven that being badder than the bad guys is not the answer to terrorism. Bu$hCo is wrong and will ultimately pay the higher price."
Posted by BareEmperor

I agree with your opposition to torture. However, I still feel the need to point out that there has been no terrorist attacks since 911 under Bush. Don''t let your valid opposition to torture blind you to that fact.

[mcvet]

What makes the crackers such cowards? They have loved torture and terror for a long long time now. I just have to wonder if Senator Graham might not be reverting back to his klan roots here? Sieg Heil Bush! Sieg Heil Grand Wizard!!

[feelfree1]

Re: "Senate Republicans blocked a bill Friday that would restrict the interrogation methods the CIA can use against terrorism suspects."

Hooray!!!!

This was a terrible bill! It implied that torturing people previous to this point was legal. It wasn''t.

The Bush regime and their Democrat enablers will have to face this hard reality when they appear before a war crimes tribunal.

[macusweil]

Lindsay Graham is a traitor to the nation and humanity.

Let water board his neo.con *ss and see if he still wants to block the vote banning such acts. Torture is NEVER useful under any circumstances to this or any nation!! This show of great GOP cowardice is a disgrace!

[excoachken]

What goes around........, except all these rich draft dodging wimps in Congress will never have to have a child forced to join the "Volunteer Army" like many of today''s youth have to do because "W" shipped their jobs overseas.

[mcvet]

I agree with your opposition to torture. However, I still feel the need to point out that there has been no terrorist attacks since 911 under Bush. Don''''t let your valid opposition to torture blind you to that fact.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by denn034 at 06:12 PM : Dec 14, 2007
+ report abuse

Now either you losers have been lying to us or we have lost nearly 4,000 American''s since the attack... besides the Enemy had to have time to rebuild which we have given him... I wouldn''t put to much faith in the fact we haven''t seen attacks HERE... why would they when Sir Lies-A-Lot put 160,000 of our best and brightest out in the streets of Bagdad... now they''d be pretty stupid to try and attack this nation when they have them walking around with targets on their backs now wouldn''t they? Sieg Heil Bush!! You really aren''t the sharpest tool in the old shed there are you sparky??? either that or you don''t count the troops as American''s... can''t figure which it is? Seig Heil RNC!!

[realetybytes]

Any candidate that calls waterboarding, which we do to our own soldiers, as torture, will not get my vote. I could not care less what the "international community" thinks, 90%percent of them want us dead, of course they don''t want us to defend ourselves. Waterboarding leaves no lasting damage and works in seconds. I''m sure our soldiers would love it if that is all the enemy would do to them if captured. Unfortunatly, that is not true, and these savages cut off heads and burn the bodies. If we are not going to nuke the area to stop this ***, then waterboard them all, then shoot them after military trials. We have a right to self defense. "what will the world think?" F'' em, they will think they better not screw with us. Otherwise ladies, get out your body coverings and get ready for the beating, cause the "religion of peace" is coming for you.
Ron Reale
[e-mail]
realetybytes.townhall.com

[feelfree1]

realetybytes,

You want to torture and nuke people, and you think that you have any business calling anyone else a "terrorist"?

[cbs_oliver]

Sen. Lindsay Graham, R-S.C., placed a hold on the intelligence bill.

Linsqay Graham has done other things to further US torture. He was the one who lead in insisting that contracters continue to be used for interrogations - and torture - of prisoners in Iraq and elsewhere.

He is a depraved man.

[j-whitman]

realetybytes,,,, News Flash ---- We don''t waterbord our soldiers ------ Enlist & learn something

[lorinkundert]

The time has come to remember every politician up for election who voted to:

Allow Torture
Allow Illegal Aliens to Continue the Invasion

Feel free to add more....

[j-whitman]

realetybytes,,,, Waterbording has only been used 3 times since 2003 ---- What''s that tell you about it''s success ???? ---- It doesn''t work

[kansas1946]

I think quite frankly applying the Army field manual to the CIA would be ill-advised and would destroy a program that I think is lawful and helps the country.
******************************

This guy is sick and an embarassment to any real American. I hope South Caroline is proud of their *** senator. Fortunately, there will additional Democrats in the senate next year and we can clean up the cesspool in Washington, not to mention a Democratic president.

[homespunlady]

I agree with your opposition to torture. However, I still feel the need to point out that there has been no terrorist attacks since 911 under Bush. Don''''t let your valid opposition to torture blind you to that fact.
Posted by denn034 at 06:12 PM : Dec 14, 2007


Did you MISS something OBVIOUS?

The guy that claimed to have masterminded 9/11 IS STILL RUNNING FREE - BETTER OFF THAN EVER and his flunkies are blowing up trains, subways, busses, nightclubs etc. ALL in hopes of getting a few American tourists and ticking off our allies where they''ve been doing such things.

We also have to deal with "homegrown terrorists" shooting up malls, churches and schools because our fear-monger leader has cut programs to help those desperate nut-cases and wasn''t the UNSOLVED ANTHRAX attack AFTER 9/11 also?

Just because the elite "gated community" you must be hiding in (since you''re so clueless) hasn''t been "hit" yet doesn''t mean the rest of this nation hasn''t faced terroristic violence as well as George and Chaney''s brand of cranking up fear with their nonstop "crying wolf"!!!

Terrorism IS inducing terror in a populace. Why should he waste assets when BushCo has been doing Bin Laden''s job so well for him.

[gkc99]

"The CIA is known to have waterboarded three prisoners but has not used the technique since 2003"

Says who? Have their surrogates used it? Blackwater?

Bushit!

[j-whitman]

Sen. Lindsay Graham, R-S.C., placed a hold on the intelligence bill, preventing the Senate from voting on it while the challenge goes forward. ---- Now you see the real problem in Congress, it''s republican loyalists ---- Again Bush lies to our nation.

[homespunlady]

Posted by CBS_Oliver at 06:36 PM : Dec 14, 2007

Speaking of torture..Haliburton''s protigi KBR is apparently practicing on American girls. One of them is trying to get justice after being drugged, raped gang style and locked in some container until she was "rescued" by our state Dept.

But then again some of the over the edge warmongers here probably think that''s acceptable also.

[rowdytexan2]

Posted by realetybytes at 06:28 PM : Dec 14, 2007

The statements in your posts, sir, make you no better than the worst terrorist out there. What you''re saying is that we should mirror their brutality just because we can. This screw''em attitude is pure Neocon bull ca ca.... We went over to Iraq and blew up women and children into little bitty pieces. And brought Al Queda there to do the same. AFTER our fearless leaders brought Al Queda to our own shores and blew 3,000 people out of two business towers to justify what they intended to do. Because Al Queda has been paid to go into the middle east and create terror is the ONLY reason there hasn''t been further attacks in the US.

These Neocon jackass/es are sitting up there in the Senate laughing their heads off showing us what they can do.

[kansas1946]

Sen. Lindsay Graham, R-S.C., placed a hold on the intelligence bill.

Linsqay Graham has done other things to further US torture. He was the one who lead in insisting that contracters continue to be used for interrogations - and torture - of prisoners in Iraq and elsewhere.

He is a depraved man

******************************
Of course he is. He is a Republican. Those missing CIA "interrogation" videos are probably in a secret viewing room in some senator office and during break the Republicans all run down there are get off on watching them. Heck, I bet it is better than Via gra.

[zootallures2]

Don''t try this a home kiddies! A new video trend on youtube! Afterall, all these sites like youtube are just about giving the best rating on who can cover up what a sh*thole the western civilization has become.

[kpokey]

This is the stupidest thing ever for the congress to waste their time on, because IT''S ALREADY BANNED ACCORDING TO US LAW. Someone needs to explain this to congress, I guess.

[jntlw-2009]

Down with every single republican in the house and Senate - they are evil and unAmerican. I can no longer listen to them, they absolutely sicken me!!! Get rid of the dirt bags!

[speakinup]

Life should be tough if you are a terrorist.

And, unlike my far left breathern, I believe in supporting my country before the UN or other world wide organizations. Just as soon as they decide to defend our country, I THINK about stopping my support for torture of KNOWN terrorists.

[jntlw-2009]

Bush and Republicans are the anti-christ and his delusional army!

[pastdue1]

What is really sad about this whole situation along with all the other deplorable situations created by this administration is that we actually have to discuss whether we torture or not in America. Conservatives talk about Reagan ideals~ well where is that "shining city" he talked about. Instead, we must discuss the tawdry, the slimy, the dishonest, the cruel and the inhumane and all the talk about how kind we are and how giving we are and how compassionate we are does not undo the damage to the American Psyche.

[homespunlady]

Posted by kpokey at 07:04 PM : Dec 14, 2007

Actually, someone needs to explain it to the REPUBLICAN members that DEFENDED BREAKING THE LAW!

Great sucker bait I guess to get them tossed out.
No Brainer now as to who will win in THOSE districts.

[j-whitman]

Looks like Mukassey is already denying info to Congress on the issue --- Too bad for America, an Attorney General who''s afraid to confront power.

[homespunlady]

Not allowing the CIA to torture is like not allowing the army to shoot guns.
Posted by verifyuser at 07:08 PM : Dec 14, 2007

Hmm...and I thought that organization was set up to gather foreign INTELLIGENCE - NOT PLAY DUNGEON-MASTER.

[j-whitman]

speakinup,,,, We can do both, defend this country & support the UN.

[feelfree1]

verifyuser,

Re: "Not allowing the CIA to torture is like not allowing the army to shoot guns."

Good point. This anti-American/anti-human terrorist organization should be disbanded, and their leaders tried, convicted, and sentenced for their orchestration of terrorism.

Just tap your toe, if you agree. (tap, tap, tap...)

[j-whitman]

verifyuser,,,, Let''s see now, you hate Americans, Strong Women & Muslems --- What next ?????

[edward1975-2009]

The thing that has bothered me about the UN and there are many things, is whenever something occurs in the world that they don''t like, the bulk of handling the problem falls on us. Sometimes it''s tough to support an organization that uses you as a private security force. If these folks are in this with us, I would like to see them expend as many resources as us. Meaning all countries.

[ultomatt-2009]

I hope that the Democrats take serious note of the endless obstructionism these craven miscreants are responsible for. They''ve certainly made it crystal clear that sadistic, depraved cruelty is much preferred over lawful interrogation. Don''t let anyone forget that the Republican party is the party of sadism, torture and depravity...oh ya, and war profiteering.

Sen. Lindsay Graham is among the worst of the worst as well, and should be indicted for war crimes, and face the full penalty that the law allows. He''s but one slimey insect in this vast criminal conspiracy that is referred to as the Republican party.

In my life I never thought that the Republican party could go this far off the rails, but the truth is out there, and they are without question, the worst criminals that this country has yet produced. Jeffrey Dahmer and Ted Bundy can''t hold a candle to them.

[j-whitman]

verifyuser,,,, Nancy''s a grandmother, you hate them too ?????

As Bush says when he talks about Bin Laden - words matter. We have made it clear to the world that since the US no longer abides by international norms of civilized behavior, Americans abroad should be very careful. When the US protests your torture, the whole world will just laugh in disgust.

[one_american]

"Know why Southern Cons all look like pigs, you know the Karl Rove look?"

Posted by neoconism at 07:24 PM : Dec 14, 2007

No, not Karl Rove. Henry Waxman. The original "pigman". Oh, and he''s a Democrat, for your information.

[j-whitman]

verifyuser,,,, Maybe you like Rudy who''s business contacts funded the Mastermind of 9/11 & profiteered from it ??? --
---- Maybe you like Huckabee who says that the Brother of Jesus is the Devil ?????
----- Who wins if either of these two get into office ??????

[l8c6]

The republican party is the party of religious extremism, fascism, interrogation and torture.

This party will fall apart like the cults and special interests that have encroached upon it are beginning to.

[j-whitman]

verifyuser,,,, Let me make a wild guess... You were molested as a child by a liberal Grandmother

[wogerwabbit]

R.I.P. G.O.P.

[edward1975-2009]

Rough growd tonight. You really think that the Dems are gonna change anything. Don''t think so. Hasn''t happened yet. And they are the one''s calling the shots in Congress.

[homespunlady]

Why can''t they torture them by putting them in a stall and letting a certain congressional member sit next to them?

Maybe making them sit through one of Chaney''s speeches would do the trick.
No, empty words against them while he''s destroying America FOR them probably would just encourage them.

Personally, I find the ENDLESS fear-mongering threats at the American people by our "fearless leaders" in the Whitehouse while their buddies gang rape the American economy to be torture.

[l8c6]

In my life I never thought that the Republican party could go this far off the rails, but the truth is out there, and they are without question, the worst criminals that this country has yet produced. Jeffrey Dahmer and Ted Bundy can''''t hold a candle to them.

Posted by ultomatt


Some wouldn''t grasp what you have written but the truth is, when considering the lives, the hundreds of thousands of lives that these self righteous religious zealots have destroyed, the reach of the criminals you list truly doesn''t light a candle.

These pigs are of the same DNA that self-righteously beat slaves in the cotton fields, barbecued them amongst other horrible sadistic acts viewing those lives as worthless. They recall the wonderful gracious days of their southern heritage and the wholesomeness of their church attending upbringing. So amazingly similar are they in their actions to the religious extremism they overtly oppose in the middle east.

[j-whitman]

Edward1975,,, Let''s go back awhile & maybe you can rethink the rhetoric ------ We got rid of Rumsfield, Bush would have kept him, we''ve gone to running counter-insurgencies rather than "Stay the Course" == We have investigations & committees that your GOP fought exposing the corruption & billions wasted. ----- Not bad is it ???

[fibonacci_]

GOP is big on values. Like the death penalty, waterboarding and bombing. And seeking interesting encounters in public restrooms.

[homespunlady]

AHH.. the "24" defense.. Why don''t we just call in Jack Bower to SOLVE the WHOLE terroist thing like he does EVERY season.

Some people just CAN''T separate REALITY from TVLAND FANTASY!

[j-whitman]

verifyuser,,,, You hope they win ?? Who doesn''t ??
--- Yet you love this incompetent Commander in Chief who has generated all the failures & cost them billions in fraud waste & abuse they needed ---- LOL

[homespunlady]

Sleep deprivation works if you have 30 days. But what if you have 3 hours and thousands of lives are in the balance. You need the info immediately.

Posted by verifyuser at 07:35 PM : Dec 14, 2007

AHH.. the "24" defense.. Why don''''t we just call in Jack Bower to SOLVE the WHOLE terrorist thing like he does EVERY season.

Some people just CAN''''T separate REALITY from TV-LAND FANTASY!

IS THAT YOU LARS???