In US war on terrorism, 'waterboarding' not deemed torture

[NNN0LHI]

http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5jNVpZOvJFXL9nEgBgtgItJ2jqNhw

17 hours ago

WASHINGTON (AFP) — Six years after the September 11 attacks and despite the Abu Ghraib prison scandal, the United States insists its war on terrorism justifies extreme forms of interrogation, including "waterboarding," and rejects any talk of torture.

During a Senate confirmation hearing earlier this month, attorney general nominee Michael Mukasey refused to address the legality of bringing a prisoner to near drowning to make him talk, drawing fire from opposition Democrats and human rights groups.

"If he is still unsure whether the horrific practice of waterboarding is illegal, then he shouldn't be confirmed," said Human Rights Watch Executive Director Kenneth Roth.

"The only reason to equivocate on waterboarding is to protect administration officials who authorized it from possible prosecution," he added.

In the wake of the September 11, 2001 attacks, the United States launched a detention and interrogation drive that allowed intelligence agents to employ tougher techniques on suspected terrorists that were kept strictly confidential.

[L. Coyote]

1. In US war on terrorism, INternational Law not deemed relevant (for now anyway)

One day, the criminals will be taken to the bar for this oversight of reality!

I was reflecting on our current dilemna as a rogue state that ignores the rule of law in the world. We really messed up when we allowed Reagan, et.al., to murder Americans Linda Fraser and Ben Linder and to get away with running a major war crime enterprise to terrorize a nation and overthrow a legitimate state government. The members of the junta involved in the "Enterprise" and "Secret Government" crimes were not stopped then, and we are paying the price for the oversight now as they repeat their lawless conduct to the detriment of the United States on the global stage.

[bdamomma]

2. all those who believe that waterboarding is not torture

should experience it themselves.

[NNN0LHI]

3. I nearly drowned when I was little kid

I will never forget how it felt.

Torturers need to be imprisoned for the rest of their lives. And I mean until they are dead. No parole.

Don