CIA Harsh Interrogation Methods Revealed

Memos Detail Discussions About Questioning Al Qaeda Suspects

(AP)  President Barack Obama left the door open Tuesday to prosecuting Bush administration officials who devised the legal authority for gruesome terror-suspect interrogations, saying the United States lost "our moral bearings" with use of the tactics.

The question of whether to bring charges against those who devised justification for the methods "is going to be more of a decision for the attorney general within the parameters of various laws and I don't want to prejudge that," Mr. Obama said. The president discussed the continuing issue of terrorism-era interrogation tactics with reporters as he finished an Oval Office meeting with visiting King Abdullah II of Jordan.

Mr. Obama also said he could support a congressional investigation into the Bush-era terrorist detainee program, but only under certain conditions, such as if it were done on a bipartisan basis. He said he worries about the impact that high-intensity, politicized hearings in Congress could have on the government's efforts to cope with terrorism.

The president had said earlier that he didn't want to see prosecutions of the CIA agents and interrogators who took part in waterboarding and other harsh interrogation tactics, so long as they acted within parameters spelled out by government superiors who held that such practices were legal at the time.

The vexing issue of how terrorism-era detainees held by the United States were interrogated has presented Mr. Obama with a quandary, both political and pragmatic. He harshly criticized these practices as the campaigning Democratic presidential candidate, and still feels pressure from his party's liberal wing to come down hard on it, even after the fact. But he also is being criticized by Republicans, including people as high-ranking as former Vice President Dick Cheney, who say the Bush administration doesn't get enough credit for keeping the country from a second 9/11-style attack.

Worsening Mr. Obama's dilemma: Now that he is president, he has to worry even more about the fallout of a release of government interrogation memoranda since he now oversees the entire national security establishment, including the entire spy apparatus.

Cheney said in a Fox News Channel interview that the U.S. government gained valuable intelligence from its aggressive interrogations. This came after conservatives roundly criticized Mr. Obama for releasing the internal Bush administration memos, saying that action was not in the U.S. national security interests.

The new administration's stance on Bush administration lawyers who actually wrote the memos approving these tactics has been somewhat murky. "There are a host of very complicated issues involved," Mr. Obama said Tuesday.

White House chief of staff Rahm Emanuel said in a television interview over the weekend that the administration does not support prosecutions for "those who devised policy." Later, White House aides said that he was referring to CIA superiors who ordered the interrogations, not the Justice Department officials who wrote the legal memos allowing them.

The president took a question on the volatile subject for the first time since he ordered the Justice Department to release top-secret Bush-era memos that gave the government's first full accounting of the CIA's use of waterboarding - a form of simulated drowning - and other harsh methods criticized as torture. The previously classified memos were released Thursday, over the objections of many in the intelligence community. CIA Director Leon Panetta had pressed for heavier censorship when they were released, but the memos were put out with only light redactions. (You can read the memos here)

Far from putting the matter in the past, the move has resulted in Mr. Obama being buffeted by increased pressure from both sides.

Republican lawmakers and former CIA chiefs have criticized Mr. Obama's decision, contending that revealing the limits of interrogation techniques will hamper the effectiveness of interrogators and critical U.S. relationships with foreign intelligence services.

The release also has appeared to intensify calls for further investigations of the Bush-era terrorist treatment program and for prosecutions of those responsible for any techniques that crossed the line into torture.

Mr. Obama banned all such techniques days after taking office. But members of Congress have continued to seek the release of information about the early stages of the U.S. response to the Sept. 11, 2001, terror under former President George W. Bush. Lawsuits have been brought, seeking the same information.

Mr. Obama said an investigation might be acceptable "outside of the typical hearing process" and with the participation of "independent participants who are above reproach." This, he said, could help ensure that any investigation would be a tool to learn, not to provide partisan advantage to one side or another.

"That would probably be a more sensible approach to take," Mr. Obama said. "I'm not saying that it should be done, I'm saying that if you've got a choice."

The president made clear that his preference would be not to revisit the era extensively.

"As a general view, I do think we should be looking forward, not back," Mr. Obama said. "I do worry about this getting so politicized that we cannot function effectively and it hampers our ability to carry out critical national security operations."

[mcnumerator]

I find it interesting that when Americans see our soldiers, tortured and abused they get upset, and rightly so. The country doing the abuse of course could care less. Now that we allegedly have done some abuse, is it the country these people are from that is upset, or, again is it these same Americans standing up for the terrorists that are doing and/or attempting to do terrible things to Americans.
Our government is sending a strange signal these days. I would like our president to inspire me not apologize for what he personally thinks is wrong with the US.
Lastly,

"The president made clear that his preference would be not to revisit the era extensively.

"As a general view, I do think we should be looking forward, not back," Mr. Obama said. "I do worry about this getting so politicized that we cannot function effectively and it hampers our ability to carry out critical national security operations."

Give us a break, any stick will do to beat a dog and in this case he is using Sec State Clinton and Mr Levin to do his so called work that he thinks we should "not revisit" Are we fools, has any administration not used these types of tactics to obscure their true agendas from Americans? He says what he wants to happen to keep his numbers high and hope for re-election, but what he is really saying is lets make the other party look bad so in case I don't do a good job we can fall back on this and hope to get re-elected. I'm so tired of the Government's BS. I think it maybe it might be time to move to a grown up country and reverse immigrate. This country is definitely heading south.

[Vet_Turner]

Some real info? As an officer in Iraq, I never had information that was relevant for more than three days. And you think that some back woods leader from Afghanistan had any. And this was worth putting American ideals on hold in order for tortured information. Are you serious? Please tell me you are not.

Please read a little about Francis Lewis, one of the signers of the US Declaration of Indepence and see what the British did to him. That's why we have the Bill of RIghts, that's thereason we signed the Geneva Convention - making them the Supreme Law of the Land (US Constitution language).

[Trust_me_]

Or for you bleeding hearts out there,
Get them hooked on crack, load them up for months, Then cut them off, cold turkey until we get some real info!

[Trust_me_]

First take blood samples of all detainees.
Then put them on the national donors list.
Next inform them that they can keep more vital organs if they give fruitful info.
No info from them, Well lets just say one f our own citizens can have a better life.
Think of it as a way for the detainees to be able to give back to thier american friends

[Trust_me_]

I would rather be at gitmo then any prison in the US!

[Trust_me_]

Torture is not being practiced right anymore.

[Aldymac]

I had a friend who was a prisoner of war for three months in the I Corps of Viet Nam, he had a head wound that was taken care of by other Americans who were prisoners also.That was the only care he got, he and the others were beaten on a regular basis and the only food they got was what they could get from the jungle as they were forced to march through it to keep ahead of American units persuing them. From what he told me, the the NVA never did follow the Geneva Convention rules, we were schooled on those rules before we got into the combat zone, the terrorists never recognised anything other than what they believe to guide them.
To treat those people with kindness is only going to make them more vicous and they will think they have won and don't have to be accountable to anyone for what they do to people. All you bleeding heart liberals ought to just sit down and imagine that someone is cutting your head off, put every emotion you can think of into the thought, even imagine the blood squirting up your throught and out your mouth and imagine the nice thoughts you will have for these people who are doing this to you.
Now, does that make you feel better about going easy on those poor terrorists? That is the kindness they will give you. Enjoy

[whosaid1]

Well, I see the debate (?) continues.....I have given it some thought and it SEEMS to me that with the exception of the extreme opinions on BOTH sides...here are two "camps"....those that have experienced the horror of war and understand the stress involved in having people try to kill you....and, those who have not experienced War. Having served in our military for over 30 years (Combat Arms) I think I can speak with some understanding of those that served (yes there are no absolutes and there will be some who did served who will have different opinions). However, most of us who did serve, and have "combat" experience very likely experienced situations where "detainees"...placed in "stressful situations" provided information about their "units" that saved American lives. Based on the definition of torture in this article....those "stressful situations" I speak of, would be considered TORTURE. Sleep deprivation,...a slap to the face...a THREAT of serious bodily harm...very often provided the information to avoid an attack or ambush. I don?t recall any situation, I was personally involved in, where "serious thought" was given to KILLING or seriously injuring the detainees. Most often just the thought that they MIGHT be executed or injured resulted in the desired result. Now I know that many who comment on this blog have never been exposed to the stress of War and think that this "barbaric action" is just that...BARBARIC and unnecessary. I personally think that is a NAIVE view...But that's ok...that?s what?s great about this country that many of us have chosen to defend...we can all have our opinions.

[opedanderson]

Hypocrisy.

We are all high and mighty against nations that use torture, until we see it as necessary to use it ourselves.

Welcome to the Banana Republic of America.

[formrusmcsgt]

Sounds like Israel as well.
Posted by hungry1968-15 at 5:44 AM : Apr 18, 2009

Of course.

[hungry1968-15]

Good morning, hungry.

Religion is the basis for their Manifest Destiny mindset.
Posted by formrusmcsgt at 5:40 AM : Apr 18, 2009




Sounds like Israel as well.

[formrusmcsgt]

What's particularly odd, is that they claim the "moral high ground", because they are predominantly religious, and the atheists are the "REAL PROBLEM".

Go figure.
Posted by hungry1968-15 at 5:37 AM : Apr 18, 2009

Good morning, hungry.

Religion is the basis for their Manifest Destiny mindset.

[hungry1968-15]

I am amazed that the neocons have been so successful in developing a sizeable following who think that war-mongering and torture are acceptable practices.

It shows how we have degenerated as a society.
Posted by formrusmcsgt at 5:27 AM : Apr 18, 2009





What's particularly odd, is that they claim the "moral high ground", because they are predominantly religious, and the atheists are the "REAL PROBLEM".

Go figure.

[formrusmcsgt]

I am amazed that the neocons have been so successful in developing a sizeable following who think that war-mongering and torture are acceptable practices.

It shows how we have degenerated as a society.

[elpaulito]

Quote:

"People like you, who have NEVER been in combat, should just keep your mouths shut on these things. Those of us who have actually BEEN in combat KNOW just how important the laws these slimy creatures trashed are to those who put their lives on the line for YOUR security. Sure we can't stop all the bad people in the world from torturing but at least when we had the Conventions Guidelines and when we were out front saying that Torture was NOT allowed under ANY circumstances, we gave that Captured American legal ground to stand on. We gave the International Groups the right to ask questions about their treatment and after their release, we had the right to demand that those who had tortured and mistreated our Men in Uniform be brought to justice. That's why our fathers INSISTED we have those LAWS and why AMERICANS insisted that the Geneva Convention be put in place!! Now? Well now we have just opened the door to any tin horn dictator who happens to be able to get his hands on an American to just about do what he wants. But of course someone like you never has to worry about such things now do you?"

Posted by skyk-2009

Thank you for your service to our country, and your very refreshing comments!

You are absolutely right! Brave men and women in our armed services have fought other nations to prevent this kind of behavior from happening, and in the meantime, we do it ourselves?

Just because someone else tortures, doen't give us a free pass to be as lowly as they are. Does anyone of the torture lovers understand the term "high road"? Anyone?

*****cricket churps

[babooph]

More BS from the US propaganda system -mercenaries are "contractors" torturers are harsh interegators & propagandists are "journalists"etc etc etc ......

[woodjd42]

People like you, who have NEVER been in combat, should just keep your mouths shut on these things. Those of us who have actually BEEN in combat KNOW just how important the laws these slimy creatures trashed are to those who put their lives on the line for YOUR security. Sure we can't stop all the bad people in the world from torturing but at least when we had the Conventions Guidelines and when we were out front saying that Torture was NOT allowed under ANY circumstances, we gave that Captured American legal ground to stand on. We gave the International Groups the right to ask questions about their treatment and after their release, we had the right to demand that those who had tortured and mistreated our Men in Uniform be brought to justice. That's why our fathers INSISTED we have those LAWS and why AMERICANS insisted that the Geneva Convention be put in place!! Now? Well now we have just opened the door to any tin horn dictator who happens to be able to get his hands on an American to just about do what he wants. But of course someone like you never has to worry about such things now do you?
Posted by skyk-2009

Amen brother.

[woodjd42]

woodjd42 wrote - I have yet to find one of you idiots that can show me something that bush/chaney told the American people that wasn't a lie or at least totaly wrong and made up. OK you liberal whiner, show ME something that Obama has done that wasn't a broken campaign promise or a lie. Thought so. The one thing I give Obama is at least he lined his "cabinet" with democratic crooks up front for all to see. Boy if you're not a pot calling the kettle black!
Posted by roadking041

First of all punk, I am neither Dem nor Rep. I believe that 99.9 percent of all politiations are crooks and liars.
Second, I am against all the abuses that you jerks commit against our troops. You sit in your fatcat chair an spout off about "support the troops" as long as they do you dirty work then you drop them in the grease to live on the street. You don't mind sending them to die for any lie you wish to make up but like bush/chaney you are a pu$$y and would never put yourself at risk in battle.
Third, a high school kid would make a better president than bush he11 even a convict would since there is no differance between bush/chaney and a criminal.

[skyk-2009]

How do many people know about the Killing Field that happened in Cambodia where close to two millions Cambodians, about one forth of the population, died under its own government,The Khmer Rouge, who broke all the promises to bring to the Cambodian people when they came to power. History will repeat itself, it is just a matter of where and when.
Posted by nocatnowaco at 11:56 PM : Apr 17, 2009

People like you, who have NEVER been in combat, should just keep your mouths shut on these things. Those of us who have actually BEEN in combat KNOW just how important the laws these slimy creatures trashed are to those who put their lives on the line for YOUR security. Sure we can't stop all the bad people in the world from torturing but at least when we had the Conventions Guidelines and when we were out front saying that Torture was NOT allowed under ANY circumstances, we gave that Captured American legal ground to stand on. We gave the International Groups the right to ask questions about their treatment and after their release, we had the right to demand that those who had tortured and mistreated our Men in Uniform be brought to justice. That's why our fathers INSISTED we have those LAWS and why AMERICANS insisted that the Geneva Convention be put in place!! Now? Well now we have just opened the door to any tin horn dictator who happens to be able to get his hands on an American to just about do what he wants. But of course someone like you never has to worry about such things now do you?

[skyk-2009]

I read a comment on another site by some damn liberal fool, probably a democrat, that said "our enemies don't torture US troops and citizens while in captivity, so we should give our enemies the same respect". Anybody remember Nick Berg? His captors TORTURED him by blindfolding him, forcing him to kneel down, all the while rattling sabres and putting the cold steel of an Iraqi sword on the back of his neck in preparation for his beheading. By reading this report, the only thing the US does is apply a little temporary discomfort to these killers or combatants in exchange for information. I myself would prefer the Iraqi way. AFTER we got the info we needed. All is fair in love and war!
Posted by roadking041 at 3:03 AM : Apr 18, 2009

If we didn't intend to KEEP the word we gave, IF we did not intend to follow the Laws WE made, then we could have at least have been honest about it all. MANY of our Fathers shed blood to establish the Geneva Convention. Many Combat Veterans have endured what WE insisted would be the law for ALL people involved in War and Conflict. IT was AMERICA who insisted on the UN Provisions on Torture. After all that to see our OWN government breaking the Laws, the Convention and the UN Guidelines? There is NO justification for such actions... NONE! Now IF you can put away the wacked out Right's Talking Points for a few minutes and try being an AMERICAN for once, you'll see that!!