"We're going to kill your children"

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Mock executions and a favored Saddam technique, all endorsed by Cheney. Highlights of the CIA interrogation report

Former Vice President ####### Cheney speaks about national security at the American Enterprise Institute in Washington, May 21, 2009.

Editor's note: You can download the entire CIA report here, or read selected pages.

By Mark Benjamin

"The key to any strategy is accurate intelligence, and skilled professionals to get that information in time to use it ...The interrogations were used on hardened terrorists after other efforts failed. They were legal, essential, justified, successful, and the right thing to do. The intelligence officers who questioned the terrorists can be proud of their work and proud of the results, because they prevented the violent death of thousands, if not hundreds of thousands, of innocent people." – Former Vice President ####### Cheney speaking at the American Enterprise Institute on May 21, 2009

Below are excerpts from the now declassified May 2004 inspector general's review of CIA interrogations during the so-called war on terror, which was released by the Obama administration on Monday afternoon in response to an ACLU lawsuit. Page numbers link to the actual page of the report. (You can read 24 selected pages of the report here, or download the whole report.) The report is heavily redacted.

Sometime between 28 December 2002 and 1 January 2003, the debriefer used an unloaded semi-automatic handgun as a prop to frighten Al-Nashiri into disclosing information. After discussing this plan with [blacked out] the debriefer entered the cell where Al-Nashiri sat shackled and racked the handgun once or twice close to Al-Nashiri's head. On what was probably the same day, the debriefer used a power drill to frighten Al-Nashiri. With [blacked out] consent, the debriefer entered the detainee's cell and revved the drill while the detainee stood naked and hooded. [Page 42]

(Darius Rejali, the author of "Torture and Democracy" and an expert on the history on the torture, told Salon that the use of a power drill as an implement of torture is fairly rare, but was favored by one recently deceased despot: Saddam Hussein.)

[blacked out] staged the incident, which included screaming and yelling outside the cell by other CIA officers and [blacked out] guards. When the guards moved the detainee from the interrogation room, they passed a guard who was dressed as a hooded detainee, lying motionless on the ground, and made it appear as if he had been shot to death. [

Page 70

]

During another incident [blacked out] the same Headquarters debriefer, according to a [blacked out] who was present, threatened Al-Nashiri by saying that if he did not talk, "We could get your mother in here," and, "We can bring your family in here" ... It was widely believed in Middle East circles that [blacked out] interrogation techniques involves sexually abusing female relatives in front of the detainee. [Pages

42

and

43

]

An experienced Agency interrogator reported that the [interrogators] threatened Khalid Shaykh Muhammad [blacked out]. According to this interrogator, the [blacked out] interrogators said to Khalid Shaykh Muhammad that if anything else happens in the United States, "We're going to kill your children." [

Page 43

]

On another occasion [blacked out] said he had to intercede after [blacked out] expressed concern that Al-Nashiri's arms might be dislocated from his shoulders. [blacked out] explained that, at the time, the interrogators were attempting to put Al-Nashiri in a standing stress position. Al-Nashiri was reportedly lifted off the floor by his arms while his arms were bound behind his back with a belt. [

Page 44

]

[blacked out] interrogator reported that he witnessed ... the use of a stiff brush that was intended to induce pain on Al-Nashiri and standing on Al-Nashiri's shackles, which resulted in cuts and bruises. [

Page 44

]

The Review determined that interrogators used the waterboard on Khalid Shaykh Muhammad in a manner inconsistent with ... the description of the waterboard in the [Justice Department] opinion, in that the technique was used on Khalid Shaykh Muhammad a large number of times … The Attorney General was informed the waterboard had been used 119 times on a single individual ... Cables indicate that Agency interrogators [blacked out] applied the waterboard technique to Khalid Shaykh Muhammad 183 [blacked out]. [Pages

44

and

45

]

In July 2002, [blacked out] operations officer, participated with another operations officer in a custodial interrogation of a detainee [blacked out] reportedly used a "pressure point" technique: with both of his hands on the detainee's neck, [blacked out] manipulated his fingers to restrict the detainee's carotid artery. [

Page 69

]

more...

http://www.salon.com/news/feature/2009/08/...port/index.html

Edited August 26, 2009 by Col. 'Bat' Guano

[HAL 9000 96]

I thought this was about Obamacare.

[Usui Takumi 1,562]

Horrible vision: Cheney in the woods hunting with children in reindeer suits running around all over the place.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

Steve is having flashbacks to the day his dad caught him smoking behind the house, and made him smoke the whole pack of cigarettes in front of him dressed like Marlene Dietrich singing cabaret tunes.

Edited August 26, 2009 by Mister_Bill

[Kathryn41 3,205]

Certainly can't decide who are the worse monsters here - the terrorists or the torturers (including those designing/endorsing the torture). Some pretty sick individuals here if they can do such things to other human beings even under these circumstances - seems like they are cast in the same mold.

[HAL 9000 96]

IMO if you stoop to such a low level you likely don't deserve to be on the pedestal of defending 'freedom.'

[one...two...tree 2,762]

I have a feeling this independent prosecutors will come forward with some charges at some point. It seems impossible at this point not bring justice to those who were wrongfully detained and tortured. We need to do so as a nation.

[tmma 467]

I thought this was about Obamacare.

Noooo-that would be grandmas and veterans. Do try and keep up!

*actually when I saw the title that was my first thought too!

[alienlovechild 75]

Steve is having flashbacks to the day his dad caught him smoking behind the house, and made him smoke the whole pack of cigarettes in front of him dressed like Marlene Dietrich singing cabaret tunes.

Let's see the boys in the backroom will have.

[Sofiyya 1,687]

I thought this was about Obamacare.

I did, too, but then it would be more aptly titled, "We're going to enslave your children".

[Chica Yeyé 41]

Steve is having flashbacks to the day his dad caught him smoking behind the house, and made him smoke the whole pack of cigarettes in front of him dressed like Marlene Dietrich singing cabaret tunes.

I am offended. I have been told I have her flair, and now this. You just ruined my mojo.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

Steve is having flashbacks to the day his dad caught him smoking behind the house, and made him smoke the whole pack of cigarettes in front of him dressed like Marlene Dietrich singing cabaret tunes.

I am offended. I have been told I have her flair, and now this. You just ruined my mojo.

I did not know that!

[panamania79 2]

Steve is having flashbacks to the day his dad caught him smoking behind the house, and made him smoke the whole pack of cigarettes in front of him dressed like Marlene Dietrich singing cabaret tunes.

Come to the cabaret old chum..............

[HAL 9000 96]

I thought this was about Obamacare.

Noooo-that would be grandmas and veterans. Do try and keep up!

*actually when I saw the title that was my first thought too!

Well I can at least identify both variants as lies.

Hopefully you can too.