Think Progress

CIA General Counsel Nominee Stands By Torture

By Faiz on Jun 19th, 2007 at 4:23 pm

CIA General Counsel Nominee Stands By Torture»

Today, the Senate Intelligence Committee held a confirmation hearing for John Rizzo, President Bush’s nominee to become the C.I.A.’s general counsel.

Rizzo has served as an acting general counsel “off and on for the past six years, serving without Senate confirmation.” During his tenure, the CIA has engaged in a wide variety of highly questionable and potentially illegal interrogation practices.

In 2002, Rizzo approved of a memo drafted by then-Assistant Attorney General Jay Bybee that stretched the definition of torture in order to make torture permissible in the course of an interrogation. To be torture, the Bybee memo concluded, physical pain must be “equivalent in intensity to the pain accompanying serious physical injury, such as organ failure, impairment of bodily function, or even death.”

Sen. Ron Wyden asked Rizzo at the hearing, “Do you think you should have objected at the time?” to the Bybee definition of torture. Rizzo answered, “I honestly — I can’t say I should have objected at the time.” To which Wyden replied, “I think that’s unfortunate because it seems to me that language on a very straightforward reading is over the line. And that’s what I think all of us wanted to hear — is that you wish you had objected.” Watch it:

Screenshot

Also during the hearing, Sen. Carl Levin (D-MI) asked Rizzo “whether we’ve ever rendered detainees to countries which use torture.” Rizzo said “it’s difficult to give a yes or no answer” in a public hearing and asked that he provide an answer in closed session. Levin noted that in Dec. 2005, Bush said “we do not render to countries that use torture.”

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108 Responses to “CIA General Counsel Nominee Stands By Torture”


  1. mikey r Says:

    Whatever it takes.

    Comment by MAF54 — June 19, 2007 @ 4:25 pm

    What if it takes you getting your nuts impaled by red-hot dental instruments?


  2. Rusty Says:

    Did anyone ask him about the “special reserve” methods used by the special forces (per Sy Hersh yesterday)? Or the flummoxed Taguba investigation? I’m sad those questions were not in the post - but not surprised. It’s almost like our reps don’t read the paper in the morning.

    I am available prep questions. I’ll do it for free.


  3. Rusty Says:

    MAF54 - You’re back! Funny little man. How ‘boat a “Get ‘er Done” for old times sake?


  4. Crump's Brother Says:

    MAF54,

    It doesn’t keep us safer. It puts our troops at greater risk. It tells our enemies not to even considering surrender because you will not be treated humanely. The more people that surrender freely, the less casualties you have. But it appears your not about that.

    Men who have gone through war, Colin Powell, Wesley Clark, John McCain, and General George Washington have all been vociferous about not doing this. How can you condone this behavior?


  5. TripMaster Monkey Says:

    MAF54 sez:

    Whatever it takes.

    Truly unfortunate for you and that line of reasoning that torture is not a reliable means of extracting intelligence.


  6. maf54 Says:

    What if it takes you getting your nuts impaled by red-hot dental instruments?

    Comment by mikey r — June 19, 2007 @ 4:27 pm

    like I said — whatever it takes. Will you be doing the honors? And will you wear that sleek little blue Speedo I bought you?


  7. Zimzone Says:

    mikey r,
    maf54 is a known pedophile…be careful what you ask; you might get it.


  8. spit take Says:

    What a surprise — Rizzo is an overfed, pasty white man of a certain age. That’s certainly unusual in this administration.


  9. Grand Moff Texan Says:

    Torture is just great for getting people to tell you what you want to hear.

    Just ask al-Libi!

    Or you could just ask this boy, holding a picture of his dead father.
    .


  10. MAF54 Says:

    Ok. It’s time for my daily Percocet and the sweet dreams.


  11. valiant venus Says:

    #9 - As opposed to competent “politicians of colour”….like Ray Nagin and William Jefferson……(I think libs are some of the most prejudiced people on the planet….except for the nice ones.)


  12. Damian Says:

    I’ll do the honors if it will spare the next generation a moron or two. Better yet, maf, just kill yourself or get a vasectomy.


  13. Patrick1 Says:

    Hey guys it’s Patrick1, but I’m currently posting as MAF54.

    Isn’t it cute?


  14. Juan C Says:

    I mean, I do whatever Jack Bauer does.


  15. RemoveBush Says:

    Whatever it takes.

    Comment by MAF54 — June 19, 2007 @ 4:25 pm

    Even if they are INNOCENT????

    Only a VERY SMALL percentage of people captured, and torchered, were actually guilty of ANYTHING!!!!

    And you think this is making America safer??? You do realize that each one of those people have probably become America’s enemy after being torchered when they were innocent…… Not to mention their family memebers, who now HATE America for what we did to their family members…..

    YOU have just created more HATE for America by supporting this the last 6 years then we have had during our 230 year run…….

    So then you support the notion that China can freely take Oklahoma and during this invassion, they can capture Americans and torcher them on the premise that they are terrorists because they are trying to protect their land?????

    Is that what you are trying to tell us????


  16. Bruce Gorton Says:

    Crump’s Brother

    It is more then that. A central precept which America uses to seperate itself? To justify its claims of being better?

    America doesn’t torture.

    Once you start sacrificing what America is, are you really defending America?


  17. Buck Fush Says:

    Don’t respond to MAF54 - he is an immature loser who is only here to disrupt threads with his crap posts, he thinks he is funny, clever and cute, of which he is certainly not. People like him are hated by everyone in real life and so they come here to take it out on everyone else. He is also a punk - as in - in real life he would get his butt kicked.

    IGNORE THE TROLLS - Debate good, MAF54 sucks


  18. MAF54 Says:

    Buck Fush and RemoveBush: Thanks for the laugh,


  19. The Joker Says:

    More proof of the Muslim controlled media.
    OIf it was Muslims torturing Christians nobody would care.
    But since the Saudis and Iranians control our media, that’s why it’s a big deal.
    American get tortured in Jails all the time, but nothing is said.
    Since it’s Muslims it’s bad.
    More evidence!


  20. The Joker Says:

    MAF54,
    You’re a Pro-Bush., Pro-Saudi Ismaic aplogizer.
    You’re a fraud and a disgrace to the right.
    Bush and Clinton will pone day go ontrail for collucing with our Saudi and Iranian enemies.
    The Muslims can’t run America forever.
    We are waking up!


  21. Crump's Brother Says:

    Bruce Gorton,

    Agreed, it is way more than that. It is about having the moral high ground, and we have lost it due to the current group of Inquisitors we have running things.

    But those other issues are huge as well.


  22. Patrick1 Says:

    You’re wrong Joker, it’s the jews that control the media.


  23. The Joker Says:

    Crump’s Brother,
    What about the thousand of American abused by our own Police?
    Why no outcry over that?
    Why are Muslims so special?
    Don’t fall for the Muslims control of tyhe media.
    It’s to confuse us and have us turn on each other!


  24. The Joker Says:

    Patrick1,
    If the Jews control the media why is the Media anti-Israel and Pro Iran?


  25. spit take Says:

    #9 - As opposed to competent “politicians of colour”….like Ray Nagin and William Jefferson……(I think libs are some of the most prejudiced people on the planet….except for the nice ones.)

    Comment by valiant Anus — June 19, 2007 @ 4:40 pm

    I believe I mentioned “this administration”. What do a Congfressman and a mayor (formerly Republican until he decided he couldn’t win the election unless he switched parties) have to do with my observation?

    Wow. You’re not even good at misdirection.


  26. veritas Says:

    Rizzi looks like Rip Van Winkle! He’s been alive and well, asleep for a zillion years, under the Brooklyn Bridge. Aha! Another intelligent Bushitco!! This guy must have posed for the “Pillsbury Dough Boy” during his youth??


  27. veritas Says:

    Is this the best Bush can do?? Good grief! The continuous parade of seriously dazzling pulchritude never ceases to amaze me. Where does he find these unkempt scumbags?


  28. veritas Says:

    “highly questionable/potentially illegal” - The Mantra for the Bush Cabal

    This guy proves incontrovertibly that the CIA has been corrupt for as long as he’s been involved with it.


  29. veritas Says:

    I hope this mafioso thug gets shot down.


  30. Armando Gomez Says:

    Has John Rizzo ever had the joyful emperience of an old fashion thumbscrew job? I didn’t think so; that’s why he’s the right man for the job.


  31. Hank Says:

    THe question is, will the Democrats stand up to Bush and prevent hs confirmation? Given their recent track record, I am not too optimistic.


  32. powkat Says:

    George Washington insisted that prisoners of war be treated humanely - this so surprised them that many of them switched sides and stayed in America after the Revolutionary War. This was my country’s position on torture for 225 years - and then another George was (not) elected.

    George W Bush insisted that enemy combatants be tortured, rendered, even murdered - and the rest of the world no longer admires us. We have become a banana republic - the government changes position, lies about it without consequence, tortures, steals elections and takes away our civil liberties - I WANT MY COUNTRY BACK!


  33. Yikes Says:

    Also during the hearing, Sen. Carl Levin (D-MI) asked Rizzo “whether we’ve ever rendered detainees to countries which use torture.” Rizzo said “it’s difficult to give a yes or no answer in a public hearing and asked that he provide an answer in closed session.”

    I take that as a confirmation that rendering took place although anyone keeping up with the news knows the answer is yes.


  34. veritas Says:

    #17 Another “american lie” we’re continuously fed via Bushitco’s propaganda machine. It’s only when the blinders are able to be removed can one see the degree and level of brainwashing we’ve all received. At least Team Bush has helped substantially in the development of most people’s personal “bullshit detector”. We’ve had plenty of experiential practice now.


  35. No Pardon for Treason. Says:

    The Bush administration uses TORTURE to gather intelligence. Perhaps they should first begin to read the intelligence and ACT TO STOP terrorist attacks. For example, this is the administration that FAILED TO PREVENT the worst terrorist attack ever to occur on America soil — despite having been overtly WARNED. In fact, Cheney’s “Task Force on Terrorist Threats” didn’t even meet for 9 months, until after the 9/11 attacks.


  36. veritas Says:

    #33 If the dems knuckle under on this nomination when they can clearly see that he’s another thug, then they will be facing some very angry individuals in the next campaign. As it is, the Independent Party is the fastest growing “non party” in the nation. If you don’t believe me, just goggle up the stats.

    The sycophantic GOP-owned media really doesn’t acknowledge the 47%+ individuals who do not align themselves with either political party but will soon have to. The clock is ticking for both Dems and Rethugs - the natives are getting restless - and the “party’s over” if the Dems don’t get IMPEACHMENT back on the table pronto.


  37. Crump's Brother Says:

    The Joker,

    “What about the thousand of American abused by our own Police?
    Why no outcry over that?”

    That wasn’t the point of this blog post. I was staying on topic.


  38. veritas Says:

    #37 Isn’t it a bit of a mind screw to suggest that we need torture to extract information and be somehow concerned about these people in the first place when they are pouring easily through the open borders of this country each day? It seems somehow irrelevant to even engage in this dialogue.


  39. veritas Says:

    I’d say that actual “interrogation techniques” fall moot when we invite them into this country and welcome them with open arms in the first place….or is my thinking a bit too realistic and logical?


  40. Peter Says:

    “it’s difficult to give a yes or no answer” ! ! !

    WTF??? Why is it so difficult???

    This is not acceptable. An answer of “yes” would not reveal legitimately classified information. An answer of “no” would be either true or clear perjury.

    Aaaaargh! Make him answer or hold him in contempt!


  41. Buck Fush Says:

    Guess MAF54 laughed himself to death (one could only hope)…guess I hit the nail on the head again…
    MAF54=pediphile punk.

    IGNORE THE TROLLS - Debate good, MAF54 loser


  42. MsJoanne Says:

    Good god, veritas. Don’t interject thinking, realism or logic into a discussion with republicans. They lack the ability to think of anything other than what Fox tells them.

    It’s unamurikan to think!


  43. The Joker Says:

    Crump’s Brother,
    The fact is the only reason this torture thing is a big deal is because the Muslim controlled media is upset with it.
    If it was poor Whites, BLacks and Hispanics who are American citizens the Muslim controlled media says nothing.
    Since it’s Koraniams who are tortured it’s a big deal.
    What about Christians in IRan and Saudi Arabia that are tortured?
    Why no outcry over them.
    This is proff of Muslims control of the media!
    Wake up!


  44. smafdy Says:

    Shouldn’t that dude be leaning on a shovel as part of a road maintenence crew?

    He reminds me of Willy, from the Simpsons.


  45. A Hermit Says:

    Sen. Carl Levin (D-MI) asked Rizzo “whether we’ve ever rendered detainees to countries which use torture.” Rizzo said “it’s difficult to give a yes or no answer”

    Lying f**k. Google the name “Maher Arar” for your answer…


  46. The Joker Says:

    I bet if it was serbians being tortured by a Democratic regime you guys wouldn’t say anything.
    Wake up, stop taking orders from the Muslim media!


  47. Tobey Tall Says:

    It dont matter what hes says

    because its already documented with rendition flights and Abu Gharaib photos that the NeoconNazis do torture

    next war there will be No Quarter for any American troops


  48. Crump's Brother Says:

    The Joker,

    make you a deal, I’ll wake up if you go to sleep. PLEASE GO TO SLEEP!!!

    You need professional help. Muslim controlled media? Go to sleep Joker


  49. Krazny Says:

    Sen. Carl Levin (D-MI) asked Rizzo “whether we’ve ever rendered detainees to countries which use torture.” Rizzo said “it’s difficult to give a yes or no answer”

    No it’s not difficult, the answer is NO!!


  50. Tobey Tall Says:

    In fact by the actions of the republican party by supporting Gonsales proves the republican party is in the Legue with the Neocon Nazis Murdering Torturing bastards in power


  51. david Says:

    Torture? Ah, the all-American Way.

    I think you guys can pack up your sanctimonious snake-oil wagon and go home. Nobody wants what you’re selling any more.


  52. Mr. Bush Goes To Hell Says:

    I hope a PATRIOTIC soldier WOUNDED in the ILLEGAL Iraq “war”,

    finds this Guy RIZZO and FRAGS him.

    NO torture, just JUSTICE…


  53. The Joker Says:

    Crump’s Brother,
    You can’t refute anything I have said.
    If it was Christian Serbs being tortured the Muslim media would say nothing.
    Thanks for proving my point.


  54. Tobey Tall Says:

    WASHINGTON - The Army is considering whether it will have to extend the combat tours of troops in Iraq if President Bush opts to maintain the recent buildup of forces through spring 2008.

    http://news.yahoo.com/


  55. RemoveBush Says:

    WASHINGTON - The Army is considering whether it will have to extend the combat tours of troops in Iraq if President Bush opts to maintain the recent buildup of forces through spring 2008.

    http://news.yahoo.com/

    Comment by Tobey Tall — June 19, 2007 @ 5:29 pm

    So much for that PROMISE that was made to the troops by Gates and DOJ that they when they went from 12 to 15 month tours that they would get a GUARANTEED 1 year back at home….

    LYING SACKS!!!!

    God do I hate the Republicans!!!! They are about as useful as a rotten, aching tooth….


  56. social darwinism & creation science Says:

    “MAF54″ was Congressman Mark Foley’s (R-Florida) screen name when he was online asking underage boys if they would send him naked pictures of them.


  57. stopthecons Says:

    Torture is morally repugnant to the ideals of a free society.

    It’s wrong because it IS wrong. And, on top of it, there’s not a thing in the constitution that authorizes the government to act in this way.

    Further reading:

    “Should the US Military be Allowed to Use Torture?”
    http://www.populistamerica.com/ should_the_u_s__military_be_allowed_to_use_torture


  58. gummitch Says:

    Torture is morally repugnant to the ideals of a free society.

    It’s wrong because it IS wrong. And, on top of it, there’s not a thing in the constitution that authorizes the government to act in this way.

    Comment by stopthecons

    Republics like to pretend they’re really tough and manly, so they like the whole idea of torturing someone and ridicule people who are offended by it. The funny thing is that to Republics, “torture” means threatening to take away their SUVs or letting the homos get married.


  59. Jane E. Schneider Says:

    Wow–trolls seemed to be attracted to even the mention of the word “torture” like flies on sh!t.


  60. Karp's Disciple Says:

    Torture by Nazis and Japanese on our troops during World War II was considered reprehensible and was punished as a war crime. Now, as one nation under God-spouting hypocrites it is okay if our sadists do it.


  61. spit take Says:

    Wow–trolls seemed to be attracted to even the mention of the word “torture” like flies on sh!t.

    Comment by Jane E. Schneider — June 19, 2007 @ 5:55 pm

    Yeah, sort of like the word “gay” always attracts the usual suspects. (Daryll, I’m looking at you…)


  62. RUCerious Says:

    10 million flies and our trolls can’t be wrong.
    Would like to see our shit list this evening>?


  63. Frank J Says:

    Save Our Endangered Terrorists!

    Recently, the Humane Society of the United States protested the 21st Annual Star Island Yacht Club Shark Tournament. The HSUS - a fanatical animal rights organization - was incensed that sharks - which have declined in population by over 80% in the last 50 years - were being festively slaughtered for sport.

    Their point being, I suppose, that it’s unconscionable to kill vicious, flesh-eating predators if you have fun while doing it.

    I have a hard time disagreeing. I mean, why would you NOT want more bloodthirsty, savage, aquatic killing-machines patrolling our coastal waters? Would YOU want to live in a world where it’s perfectly safe to swim, surf, and scuba dive near the shorelines of a heavily populated area? I know *I* wouldn’t! If nothing else, it helps keep the riff-raff & trailer trash off the beaches. I get enough of those visual atrocities at Wal-Mart, thank you very much!

    Yet it seems to me that the HSUS is being elitist, if not downright speciesist, when it comes to choosing which spillers of innocent blood they fight to protect. It’s common knowledge that the most dangerous predator on Earth is MAN. Specifically Chuck Norris and Fred Thompson, but other humans have been known to pose a threat on occasion, too.

    “if HSUS can fight for the rights of an animal that smells like a Red Lobster dumpster in August, why can’t it fight for an animal that likes to blow up women and children?”Lately, the biggest non-Chuck-non-Fred threat to human life has been Islamic terrorists. Why isn’t the HSUS doing something to protect them? Not a day goes by that the headlines don’t splash the horrific death toll of our precious dwindling terrorist resources. Granted, five or ten splattered Hadjis may not sound like a big loss, but that constant trickle of corpses adds up. Coddling Allah’s Islamic Radicals (CAIR) estimates that over 100,000 terrorists have been lost since 9/11, and their remaining numbers keep spiraling downward.

    I find this repugnant.

    A species is a species and endangered is endangered. Sure, terrorists lack the grandeur of the elephant or the cuddly, photogenic appeal of a Panda bear. And yes, they smell bad, oppress women, and plot the global genocide of all non-Muslims. Hey, they can’t ALL be baby Harp Seals! But if HSUS can fight for the rights of an animal that smells like a Red Lobster dumpster in August, why can’t it fight for an animal that likes to blow up women and children? At least it’s a MAMMAL for cryin’ out loud!

    The fact is, if we don’t stop the insane slaughter of our dangerously fanatical - yet charmingly quirky - Muslim brethren, soon there won’t be a single terrorist left alive on earth! I can’t imagine the shame of trying to explain to my grandchildren that - because I did nothing - he can only see filthy, butchering Jihadists in picture books or Guantanamo.

    Well, if HSUS is going to drop the ball on this one, *I* certainly won’t! It’s time to get organized! Call your congressman! Call the President! Speak out in whatever forum is available to you! Worst case, start one of web-blob thingies! If you’re a hot chick, post naked pictures of yourself on your MySpace page in protest. Or just send them directly to me. Whichever. It doesn’t matter, as long as you make your voice heard!

    If we don’t do something now, there will soon come a day when crazed Islamofascists are just a faded memory, never again to grace our planet with their murderous majesty.

    And I can’t think of anything more tragic.

    Can you?


  64. upside00 Says:

    It is obvious that none of the trolls here that are for torture and extending the troops’ tours have never been in the military and never will be.

    Just like the chickenhawk scumbags that they worship (Darth, Dubya and Gonzo)


  65. Frank J Says:

    It is equally obvious that the moonbats who cheer on the Islamists have never been to an Al Qaeda meeting or even a CAIR function.



  66. upside00 Says:

    Hey Frank J, when and where did you serve?


  67. Frank J Says:

    Coddling Allah’s Islamic Radicals (CAIR)


  68. RemoveBush Says:

    Cue the Jepordy theme……

    do do do dum do do do … do do do dum do da do do do ……


  69. Frank J Says:

    When are you joining the Taliban?


  70. RemoveBush Says:

    “Comment by Frank J — June 19, 2007 @ 6:22 pm”

    So in other words……. YOU NEVER SERVED!


  71. Frank J Says:

    chicken hater of pork!!


  72. upside00 Says:

    Guess that answers my question to Franky the j, unless he wants to count the time he was assistant hall monitor in his grammar school.


  73. Frank J Says:

    Just like you I guess.


  74. kasinca Says:

    Comment by valiant venus — June 19, 2007 @ 4:40 pm

    Something really sick and twisted with a female troglodyte.


  75. RemoveBush Says:

    Just like you I guess.

    Comment by Frank J — June 19, 2007 @ 6:23 pm

    US Army
    1988-1991
    Posts statitioned at:
    Basic: Ft Jackson SC
    AIT: Ft Gordon GA
    Korea
    Ft. Drum NY

    Now PISS OFF you loser!


  76. upside00 Says:

    Yea franky the j, so you served in Vietnam with me. Glad to hear it, and I think you for your service. He is just like the rest of the chickensh@t trolls here…. all talk and no action.


  77. Frank J Says:

    A spy obviously.


  78. mikey r Says:

    So in other words……. YOU NEVER SERVED!

    Comment by RemoveBush — June 19, 2007 @ 6:23 pm

    No, no, no… you’ve got Frank J all wrong. He’s a 75-year-old decorated Korean war vet. Right, Frank J?


  79. upside00 Says:

    #78 RemoveBush,

    me thinks the closest franky ever got to combat was on his Playstation, in his mommy’s basement.

    And thank you for your service… for real.


  80. Nat Says:

    “Coddling Allah’s Islamic Radicals (CAIR)
    Comment by Frank J — June 19, 2007 @ 6:19 pm”

    You’re confused. CAIR stands for Council on American-Islamic Relations.


  81. Frank J Says:

    No it doesn’t.


  82. Nat Says:

    Yes it does.


  83. PRIMVS INTER PARES Says:

    No it doesn’t.


  84. theswan Says:

    This man should not have a job. Torture is inhumane. Useless!


  85. powkat Says:

    What do you think? Frank J is 15, maybe sixteen, the teen-age version of the pasty, flabby Rove clones who keep parading thru Congress - no skills, no talents, just a rich daddy and a burning desire to get even. He’s the kid who nobody likes because he’s pompous and stupid all at once.

    Give it up Frankie, or you’ll end up just like your heroes - looking at either exile or a long jail term


  86. KingCranky Says:

    Only cowards endorse or order torture


  87. upside00 Says:

    #89

    Very true, and that is why all our favorite trolls are in favor of it. But they would soil their collective panties faster than the GOP destroys their emails if they even saw a waterboard room.


  88. BARTLEBEE Says:

    Whatever it takes.

    Comment by MAF54 — June 19, 2007 @ 4:25 pm

    The words of a coward.

    In 1940’s Germany, the German people said the same thing. They were cowards too.

    In the end, this sort of coward spends his remaining years in shame, regret and public disgrace. Or dangling at the end of a noose.

    Either way works for me.


  89. BARTLEBEE Says:

    Fortunately, our military and FBI is still ranked with “good men”.

    Remember Pat Tillman? Every see his brother?

    Theres a couple of “good men”.

    Tillman or his brother didn’t sit still for torture, or the corruption of the Bush administration, which in the end, ultimately got him killed.

    Good men are everywhere fortunately, and the gestapo wannabee’s like thsi human slug, calling himself MAF54, represent simply the throwbacks in our society. Soon they will be weeded out, by natural selection and our criminal justice system.

    In the meantime, piss on em.


  90. devin Says:

    Why even bother or give the U.S. or any other country your secrets when your limbs, genitals, and anything else is already cutoff, wounded or gone?! It is totally illogical to even think someone THAT HAS NOTHING TO LOSE ALREADY WILL SPILL “REAL” INFORMATION!! They are already
    screwed to the max so there is NO INCENTIVE TO GIVE UP INFO.


  91. stratocruiser Says:

    Glad to see the right wingers brought out their A game.
    We can’t confirm this gutless little man.
    “Did we Rendition?” if the answer were “No”, it’s easy to say.

    Scooter’s conviction seems to be having some results. Now we get evasions and taking of fifths instead of lies.

    None of these punks has the guts to stand up and say “This is what I did and why. Who amond you will judge me!”


  92. Mr. Bush Goes To Hell Says:

    Torture by Nazis and Japanese on our troops during World War II was considered reprehensible and was punished as a war crime. Now, as one nation under God-spouting hypocrites it is okay if our sadists do it.

    Comment by Karp’s Disciple

    Yup. Until it happens to ONE OF THEIRS in the military. Then THEY will be yelling about WAR CRIMES. TRAITORS and HYPOCRITES are Bushies…


  93. freeman Says:

    What more could anyone say , I think that sums it up .


  94. usafret Says:

    I know there are several vets (sans Jake) posting here. You’ll confirm the Geneva conventions training we received and the “magic” Geneva Convention card. The point being had I been captured I would hope and pray for humane treatment. By accepting W’s minions, and the trolls here, we lost whatever moral high ground we had. That scares the hell out of me.

    BTW RemoveBush, where in Korea? I was at Kunsan and Taegu for 7 years and a year at Humphries (late 80s).

    JFM
    USAF,MSGT,RET


  95. BARTLEBEE Says:

    The point being had I been captured I would hope and pray for humane treatment. By accepting W’s minions, and the trolls here, we lost whatever moral high ground we had. That scares the hell out of me.

    JFM
    USAF,MSGT,RET

    Comment by usafret — June 19, 2007 @ 9:41 pm

    See MA12? Another “good man”.

    I’m telling you they’re everywhere. Our military, our FBI and other agencies, literally SATURATED with them. Thats why you guys have to “sneak” your torture provisions in, and thats why we keep busting you on it.

    Good men, are going to keep America good, even if the rest of you are busy selling our souls to keep America “safe”.


  96. freeman Says:

    SOUNDS MORE LIKE THE ACCUSED IN THE WITNESS BOX AT NUREMBERG THAN A NOMINEE ,HAS THIS REALLY BECOME AMERIKA ?
    33% OF THE LAWS PASSED BY THE PEOPLES LAWMAKERS ARE IGNORED BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT BECAUSE BUSHES UNITARY EXECUTIVE IS A LAW UNTO ITSELF !
    3/4 OF A MILLION PEOPLE ARE DEAD ,SEVERAL TIMES THAT WOUNDED ,MILLIONS OF REFUGEES, BILLIONS OF BORROWED DOLLARS , BUT NO F#$KING BLOWJOB !


  97. The Republic of Stupidity Says:

    BILLIONS OF BORROWED DOLLARS, BUT NO F#$KING BLOWJOB !

    Comment by freeman

    What??? All that money down the drain, and not even a hummer?


  98. WaltTheMan Says:

    I am on intense Grand Daughter duty right now but cannot pause to say that this thug group looks like a den of Rattle Snakes. Speaking of snakes, she saw a black snank on our front step and picked it up 1/3 space down its tail and let it loose in our wetland. She said that some snakes are our friends and they have to be in the wild. HER GRANDMOTHER WAS SCREAMING THROUGH THE ENTIRE PROCESS. Grand Daughter said that most snakes are our friends because they eat bad animals. Perhaps, they could start in the White House.


  99. freeman Says:

    DOMESTIC SPYING ,TORTURE ,THE LOSS OF HABEAS CORPUS ,NATIONAL SECURITY LETTERS ,KIDNAPPING ,SIGNING STATEMENTS ,LYING TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE TO JUSTIFY WAR CRIMES !
    AND MOST STAGGERING ,DONE IN PLAIN SIGHT OF THE WORLD AND THE AMERICAN PEOPLE .

    LIKE A DICTATORSHIP !


  100. Devil's Advocate Says:

    Well, just as a woman cannot get “a little bit” pregnant, one cannot be a “little bit ” in favor of torture. You are either for it or against it. And if you are for it, you will be justly stigmatized as a sadist. Period. End of story.


  101. BARTLEBEE Says:

    The coward wretch whose hand and heart

    Can bear to torture aught below,

    Is ever first to quail and start

    From the slightest pain or equal foe.

    Bertrand Russell


  102. Harry Truman Says:

    Good Night you Pack of Liberal Morons


  103. IfugginHateGWB Says:

    I propose, to be confirmed Rizzo MUST submit to the “techniques” used on the detainees…THEN he can complete the confirmation hearings…if he can still sit.
    It will not however, guarantee his confirmation.


  104. The Oracle Says:

    As acting CIA general counsel over the past six years, what, if anything does John Rizzo know about the outing of covert CIA operative Valerie Plame? As acting CIA general counsel, did John Rizzo have any conversations with John Ashcroft over the illegal disclosure of Plame’s CIA affiliation? With Alberto Gonzales? With Karl Rove? With Harriet Miers? Individually or in a group meeting?

    And, Mr. Rizzo, what ever became of that CIA after-incident damage assessment report, a report based on the internal investigation that must have been conducted after Plame’s CIA affiliation was illegally disclosed by White House officials in 2003? And if there was no “underlying crime” as some wingnuts keep claiming, then why hasn’t this after-incident damage assessment report been publicly released, even if it’s just a summary of any damage done to our national security, if any?

    (I didn’t see the actual hearing, and haven’t read a transcript of it, but I suspect that none of these questions I’ve raised were asked Mr. Rizzo. Even though, someone in his position MUST have been involved in legal discussions between the CIA and the White House after Plame’s name hit the newspapers. Just wonderin’.)


  105. JD Says:

    Again… Torture does work!

    Not in getting the truth (they don’t care about the truth), but in fabricating fake terrorists (that will plead guilty even if innocent just to make it stop) so that the administration can exhibit them to the press/public and say “See! Terrorists! See! We were right! Be afraid!!!”


  106. bruce kube Says:

    Anybody that condones torture should be subjected to it for a cple hrs. They might have a new attitude by then. There is no room in a civilized society for such a barbaric act.



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