Comments on: LETTER: Powell Says Bush Plan To Authorize Torture ‘Would Put Troops At Risk’ http://thinkprogress.org/2006/09/14/powell-letter/ Thu, 26 Nov 2009 09:15:46 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.5 hourly 1 By: doug http://thinkprogress.org/2006/09/14/powell-letter/comment-page-2/#comment-1038576 doug Fri, 27 Oct 2006 17:20:17 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2006/09/14/powell-letter/#comment-1038576 I read on another site that Cheney denied being in favour of "water boarding" but had said he supported "dunking." Maybe these two terms convey something different to some people but I think it must be a distinction without a difference. I have many memories of dunkings in swimming pools and at beaches. I never thought of it as torture or even coersion. Is Cheney's idea to have a fun time out for prisoners? What an interesting idea for him to have brought into discussions of prisoners in military camps. A day of recreation at the beach for all prisoners. Would he allow the same break for the USA military men and women, maybe once a week? Did Cheney mean "dunking" as a torture? Does it mean holding someone under water? If so for how long? Is the prisoner assured in advance that he will not be allowed to drown? Is the fact that Cheney would want the prisoner to believe that he/she may infact be allowed to drown? If that is the methodology then there is no difference. Cheney's "dunking" is "water boardings" equivelent. Once again the White House spins its web of lies to decieve and trap the American voter into supporting the hijacking of America. I hope that finally the American people will make Cheney and his camp pay for their treachery. I read on another site that Cheney denied being in favour of “water boarding” but had said he supported “dunking.” Maybe these two terms convey something different to some people but I think it must be a distinction without a difference.

I have many memories of dunkings in swimming pools and at beaches. I never thought of it as torture or even coersion. Is Cheney’s idea to have a fun time out for prisoners? What an interesting idea for him to have brought into discussions of prisoners in military camps. A day of recreation at the beach for all prisoners.
Would he allow the same break for the USA military men and women, maybe once a week?

Did Cheney mean “dunking” as a torture? Does it mean holding someone under water? If so for how long? Is the prisoner assured in advance that he will not be allowed to drown? Is the fact that Cheney would want the prisoner to believe that he/she may infact be allowed to drown? If that is the methodology then there is no difference. Cheney’s “dunking” is “water boardings” equivelent. Once again the White House spins its web of lies to decieve and trap the American voter into supporting the hijacking of America. I hope that finally the American people will make Cheney and his camp pay for their treachery.

]]> By: paladin http://thinkprogress.org/2006/09/14/powell-letter/comment-page-2/#comment-844236 paladin Wed, 20 Sep 2006 05:01:22 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2006/09/14/powell-letter/#comment-844236 let someone torture Bingo+! (comments #1 and #5) let someone torture Bingo+! (comments #1 and #5)

]]> By: Not_so_happy_citizen http://thinkprogress.org/2006/09/14/powell-letter/comment-page-2/#comment-831113 Not_so_happy_citizen Sun, 17 Sep 2006 22:51:53 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2006/09/14/powell-letter/#comment-831113 All those who voted for Bush in the second term have blood on their hands ...(of all the people dead in the unnecessary war in Iraq)..... All those who voted for Bush in the second term have blood on their hands …(of all the people dead in the unnecessary war in Iraq)…..

]]> By: Stress » Bush Unscripted http://thinkprogress.org/2006/09/14/powell-letter/comment-page-2/#comment-826886 Stress » Bush Unscripted Sat, 16 Sep 2006 23:14:27 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2006/09/14/powell-letter/#comment-826886 [...] Thing is, Colin Powell, lying war criminal that he is, didn’t compare Bush to the terrorists. He simply said that when the President of the United States goes to Capital Hill demanding authority to torture people and use their coerced “confessions” in military “courts,” the basic bankrupt assumption of the American government’s power overseas - that they are killing people for their own good - is undermined. And that if people quit believing in “our” benevolent motives (did anyone, ever?), it will make it much more difficult to maintain our world empire. [...] [...] Thing is, Colin Powell, lying war criminal that he is, didn’t compare Bush to the terrorists. He simply said that when the President of the United States goes to Capital Hill demanding authority to torture people and use their coerced “confessions” in military “courts,” the basic bankrupt assumption of the American government’s power overseas – that they are killing people for their own good – is undermined. And that if people quit believing in “our” benevolent motives (did anyone, ever?), it will make it much more difficult to maintain our world empire. [...]

]]> By: William K. Wolfrum » Blog Archive » High-ranking Republicans stand together and deliver against an Administration gone haywire http://thinkprogress.org/2006/09/14/powell-letter/comment-page-2/#comment-826734 William K. Wolfrum » Blog Archive » High-ranking Republicans stand together and deliver against an Administration gone haywire Sat, 16 Sep 2006 22:29:21 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2006/09/14/powell-letter/#comment-826734 [...] This is great news for the many Americans worried that Bush would ram through two bills — Bush’s plan to reinterpret the Geneva Convention and Arlen Specter’s FISA bill — that would both give him unprecedented power, as well as further diminish the U.S.’s reputation both home and abroad. [...] [...] This is great news for the many Americans worried that Bush would ram through two bills — Bush’s plan to reinterpret the Geneva Convention and Arlen Specter’s FISA bill — that would both give him unprecedented power, as well as further diminish the U.S.’s reputation both home and abroad. [...]

]]> By: Sue Connell http://thinkprogress.org/2006/09/14/powell-letter/comment-page-2/#comment-826021 Sue Connell Sat, 16 Sep 2006 19:11:19 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2006/09/14/powell-letter/#comment-826021 Please do not allow President Bush to modify the Geneva Convention to allow torturing terrorists, regardless of what he calls it. This country must stand for some moral high ground. What he is asking for is certainly not Christian. After 9/11, we had the world's sympathy for the attack on the World Trade Center; now, we have turned everyone against us because of our actions in Iraq. If we had concentrated all our resources on searching for Bin Ladin and not invaded Iraq, the world would still support us. Instead we have invested trillions of dollars, thousands of lives, and even more injured just to satisfy Bush's agenda. Although Hussein is an evil man, I doubt if 50-100 Iraqis in Bagdad were being killed daily by him, which is what is happening now with the sectarian violence. Bush is threatening our Constitution and what this country should stand for. Please do not let this happen. Please do not allow President Bush to modify the Geneva Convention to allow torturing terrorists, regardless of what he calls it. This country must stand for some moral high ground. What he is asking for is certainly not Christian. After 9/11, we had the world’s sympathy for the attack on the World Trade Center; now, we have turned everyone against us because of our actions in Iraq. If we had concentrated all our resources on searching for Bin Ladin and not invaded Iraq, the world would still support us. Instead we have invested trillions of dollars, thousands of lives, and even more injured just to satisfy Bush’s agenda. Although Hussein is an evil man, I doubt if 50-100 Iraqis in Bagdad were being killed daily by him, which is what is happening now with the sectarian violence. Bush is threatening our Constitution and what this country should stand for. Please do not let this happen.

]]> By: Laugharn Information » “Unacceptable” http://thinkprogress.org/2006/09/14/powell-letter/comment-page-2/#comment-823700 Laugharn Information » “Unacceptable” Sat, 16 Sep 2006 02:03:08 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2006/09/14/powell-letter/#comment-823700 [...] I think the important question after today’s press conference is how will the “true conservatives” react to George Bush’s response to Colin Powell? Earlier this week Powell sent a letter that was critical of Bush’s proposed detainee treatments. Powell is still a champion amongst the (quotes imply a modest roll of the eyes) “true conservatives” who feel a bit let down by the mess the world has become that they went along with but don’t want to be held in any way responsible for, so for the president to question his logic and moral fiber¹ seems like it might piss a few of them off. [...] [...] I think the important question after today’s press conference is how will the “true conservatives” react to George Bush’s response to Colin Powell? Earlier this week Powell sent a letter that was critical of Bush’s proposed detainee treatments. Powell is still a champion amongst the (quotes imply a modest roll of the eyes) “true conservatives” who feel a bit let down by the mess the world has become that they went along with but don’t want to be held in any way responsible for, so for the president to question his logic and moral fiber¹ seems like it might piss a few of them off. [...]

]]> By: LAPDOG » Blog Archive » LETTER: Powell Says Bush Plan To OK Torture “Would Put Troops At Risk” http://thinkprogress.org/2006/09/14/powell-letter/comment-page-2/#comment-822903 LAPDOG » Blog Archive » LETTER: Powell Says Bush Plan To OK Torture “Would Put Troops At Risk” Fri, 15 Sep 2006 21:39:46 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2006/09/14/powell-letter/#comment-822903 [...] ThinkProgress has the actual letter. “The world is beginning to doubt the moral basis of our fight against terrorism. To redefine Common Article 3 would add to those doubts. Furthermore, it would put our own troops at risk.”read more | digg story [...] [...] ThinkProgress has the actual letter. “The world is beginning to doubt the moral basis of our fight against terrorism. To redefine Common Article 3 would add to those doubts. Furthermore, it would put our own troops at risk.”read more | digg story [...]

]]> By: hawkeye’s thoughts of tomorrow » Blog Archive » Fun with Fire and other misc. http://thinkprogress.org/2006/09/14/powell-letter/comment-page-2/#comment-822122 hawkeye’s thoughts of tomorrow » Blog Archive » Fun with Fire and other misc. Fri, 15 Sep 2006 19:13:13 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2006/09/14/powell-letter/#comment-822122 [...] Look! Someone speaking out against the president! Kill the unpatriotic bastard!!! It’s not exactly as strongly worded as I’d like, but then neither Powell (he or his son, FCC chair) ever had the balls to say anything particularly worth hearing or paying attention to. [...] [...] Look! Someone speaking out against the president! Kill the unpatriotic bastard!!! It’s not exactly as strongly worded as I’d like, but then neither Powell (he or his son, FCC chair) ever had the balls to say anything particularly worth hearing or paying attention to. [...]

]]> By: Geneva Tampering » The Allen Almanac http://thinkprogress.org/2006/09/14/powell-letter/comment-page-2/#comment-821502 Geneva Tampering » The Allen Almanac Fri, 15 Sep 2006 16:56:11 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2006/09/14/powell-letter/#comment-821502 [...] Which is exactly why any tampering with the GC is asking for trouble. As Colin Powell mentioned yesterday, “To redefine Common Article 3 would … put our own troops at risk.” [...] [...] Which is exactly why any tampering with the GC is asking for trouble. As Colin Powell mentioned yesterday, “To redefine Common Article 3 would … put our own troops at risk.” [...]

]]> By: Em http://thinkprogress.org/2006/09/14/powell-letter/comment-page-2/#comment-820320 Em Fri, 15 Sep 2006 13:29:27 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2006/09/14/powell-letter/#comment-820320 Holy crap, chimpeach! That's one of the funniest posts i've seen in a while. I had to read it twice to get all the laughs. As for the beheading part, let's just say that IF I were captuured I certainly wouldn't want to be tortured prior to beheading. Between the torture and the complete mess we've created in Iraq, is it not not now obvious why the US is often viewed as evil? It boils down to the fact that we are. Or at least, we have a government that's completely out of control, and terrorists are going to hold innocent citizens responsible....again. Holy crap, chimpeach! That’s one of the funniest posts i’ve seen in a while. I had to read it twice to get all the laughs. As for the beheading part, let’s just say that IF I were captuured I certainly wouldn’t want to be tortured prior to beheading.

Between the torture and the complete mess we’ve created in Iraq, is it not not now obvious why the US is often viewed as evil? It boils down to the fact that we are. Or at least, we have a government that’s completely out of control, and terrorists are going to hold innocent citizens responsible….again.

]]> By: Jim SMythe http://thinkprogress.org/2006/09/14/powell-letter/comment-page-2/#comment-820301 Jim SMythe Fri, 15 Sep 2006 13:21:56 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2006/09/14/powell-letter/#comment-820301 Saw both clinton and powell on the world business forum in New York this week (http://www.wbfny.com). Both were awesome. I'm convinced Powell was 'played' by this administration, which is also why he was dumped the first chance they got, as soon as the 'acceptable black' started disagreeing with 'da masta'... Nope, Powell is a good, practical man in my book. You should learn more about him before you judge him. Saw both clinton and powell on the world business forum in New York this week (http://www.wbfny.com). Both were awesome.

I’m convinced Powell was ‘played’ by this administration, which is also why he was dumped the first chance they got, as soon as the ‘acceptable black’ started disagreeing with ‘da masta’…

Nope, Powell is a good, practical man in my book. You should learn more about him before you judge him.

]]> By: JPark http://thinkprogress.org/2006/09/14/powell-letter/comment-page-2/#comment-819811 JPark Fri, 15 Sep 2006 04:07:58 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2006/09/14/powell-letter/#comment-819811 #57 Join the Air Force thread. It wouldn't be a loss if they screwed it up with you. #57 Join the Air Force thread. It wouldn’t be a loss if they screwed it up with you.

]]> By: JPark http://thinkprogress.org/2006/09/14/powell-letter/comment-page-2/#comment-819802 JPark Fri, 15 Sep 2006 04:06:33 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2006/09/14/powell-letter/#comment-819802 RRS, where were you on the Air Force thread? Aren't you going to volunteer? RRS, where were you on the Air Force thread? Aren’t you going to volunteer?

]]> By: chimpeach http://thinkprogress.org/2006/09/14/powell-letter/comment-page-2/#comment-819725 chimpeach Fri, 15 Sep 2006 03:47:57 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2006/09/14/powell-letter/#comment-819725 #57 bonesTwo <em>Good one chimpeach - is that the standard response “Nu.UH!”. Is, “I know you are but what am I” next?</em> No. It means that, in the same manner as your favorite president, you struggled to put together a coherent paragraph and failed. Case in point: <em>Powell out recently now that his boy Dick has been revealed as Powell’s henchman is quite a concidence. Who is loser wilson going to sue now? Howard Dean? Hilarious.</em> It almost made sense, but it's not really worth picking apart. Douchebag. #57 bonesTwo

Good one chimpeach – is that the standard response “Nu.UH!”. Is, “I know you are but what am I” next?

No. It means that, in the same manner as your favorite president, you struggled to put together a coherent paragraph and failed. Case in point:

Powell out recently now that his boy Dick has been revealed as Powell’s henchman is quite a concidence. Who is loser wilson going to sue now? Howard Dean? Hilarious.

It almost made sense, but it’s not really worth picking apart.

Douchebag.

]]> By: Charles Jillian http://thinkprogress.org/2006/09/14/powell-letter/comment-page-2/#comment-819495 Charles Jillian Fri, 15 Sep 2006 02:45:18 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2006/09/14/powell-letter/#comment-819495 The one thing in common with these war criminals, and Democrats who supported the war included, is that when they speak of torture being wrong, it's always in the sense that it makes us look bad, or is bad for the strategic interests of the United States, or bad for the moral of our troops. It is never admitted that torture is morally wrong, and degrading to the human condition. This only shows how truly detached people like Colin Powell are from the social and political reality of the world: the United State's goverment is the villian of the world, and cannot but act in it's own self-preservation alone. The one thing in common with these war criminals, and Democrats who supported the war included, is that when they speak of torture being wrong, it’s always in the sense that it makes us look bad, or is bad for the strategic interests of the United States, or bad for the moral of our troops. It is never admitted that torture is morally wrong, and degrading to the human condition.

This only shows how truly detached people like Colin Powell are from the social and political reality of the world: the United State’s goverment is the villian of the world, and cannot but act in it’s own self-preservation alone.

]]> By: links for 2006-09-15 « Fleeting Thoughts http://thinkprogress.org/2006/09/14/powell-letter/comment-page-2/#comment-819303 links for 2006-09-15 « Fleeting Thoughts Fri, 15 Sep 2006 01:34:12 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2006/09/14/powell-letter/#comment-819303 [...] Think Progress » LETTER: Powell Says Bush Plan To Authorize Torture ‘Would Put Troops At Risk’ (tags: torture Bush politics powell) [...] [...] Think Progress » LETTER: Powell Says Bush Plan To Authorize Torture ‘Would Put Troops At Risk’ (tags: torture Bush politics powell) [...]

]]> By: bonesTwo http://thinkprogress.org/2006/09/14/powell-letter/comment-page-2/#comment-819225 bonesTwo Fri, 15 Sep 2006 01:04:28 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2006/09/14/powell-letter/#comment-819225 Good one chimpeach - is that the standard response "Nu.UH!". Is, "I know you are but what am I" next? Good one chimpeach – is that the standard response “Nu.UH!”. Is, “I know you are but what am I” next?

]]> By: Republicans are the fear and smear party http://thinkprogress.org/2006/09/14/powell-letter/comment-page-2/#comment-818916 Republicans are the fear and smear party Thu, 14 Sep 2006 23:52:47 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2006/09/14/powell-letter/#comment-818916 I'll bet Bush thinks up these torture methods himself. I'd say that he might lay awake nights thinking of them but then again I'll bet they come naturally to him. I’ll bet Bush thinks up these torture methods himself. I’d say that he might lay awake nights thinking of them but then again I’ll bet they come naturally to him.

]]> By: Global Geopolitics News » Global Security News - O'Reilly Insists It's Not Torture http://thinkprogress.org/2006/09/14/powell-letter/comment-page-2/#comment-818513 Global Geopolitics News » Global Security News - O'Reilly Insists It's Not Torture Thu, 14 Sep 2006 22:02:53 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2006/09/14/powell-letter/#comment-818513 [...] LETTER: Powell Says Bush Plan To Authorize Torture Would Put Think Progress, DC - 5 hours ago Bush s proposal would liberalize the definition of what is torture by amending the War Crimes Act to permit use of hypothermia, threats of violence [...] [...] LETTER: Powell Says Bush Plan To Authorize Torture Would Put Think Progress, DC – 5 hours ago Bush s proposal would liberalize the definition of what is torture by amending the War Crimes Act to permit use of hypothermia, threats of violence [...]

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