Hitchens after being waterboarded: ‘Believe me, it’s torture.’
Filed Under: Torture
By on Jul 2nd, 2008 at 12:05 pm
Hitchens after being waterboarded: ‘Believe me, it’s torture.’
In May, journalist Christopher Hitchens had himself waterboarded in order to experience “as nearly as possible what real waterboarding might be like.” Though sympathetic to those who believe that “when contrasted to actual torture, waterboarding is more like foreplay,” Hitchens ultimately concluded after being subjected to it twice that “if waterboarding does not constitute torture, then there is no such thing as torture.”
Read Hitchens’ full account here
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If you were smarter Chris you might have been able to figure this out without experiencing it. Of course if you were smart enough to figure it out you would be such a right wing nut.
July 2nd, 2008 at 12:08 pmNice timing, I was just reading Hitchens’ account. Oh, and Gitmo is pretty much like a Boy Scout camp too. PFFFFFT.
July 2nd, 2008 at 12:09 pmThey didn’t keep it going long enough, apparently.
Hate Radio won’t allow Hitchens to be their poster boy anymore,eh?
July 2nd, 2008 at 12:10 pmNO SH1T!!!
July 2nd, 2008 at 12:11 pmOf course it’s torture. If it weren’t then Bushco wouldn’t have used it in the first place. Get with the program people!!!! Sheesh.
July 2nd, 2008 at 12:12 pmWhen will we get to hear about the experiences of the rusher, hanitee-hee, Coultergeist, Malkin, the beckster, savage weiner, Ingraham and the rest of the wacko’s when they are given the waterboard spa treatment?
Might want to include Yoo, Gonzo, Darth and Dubya in that set as well.
July 2nd, 2008 at 12:12 pmBy the look sof the picture, it doesn’t look like he was given the full Gitmo treatment. There are just a few spots of water on his shirt. WTF.
July 2nd, 2008 at 12:13 pmupside99, we’re on the same wavelength. My first question was “when does Bildo get his turn”?
Christopher HItchens is a pain in the ass and frequently wrong-headed, but I give him credit for having the balls to get first-hand experience of the issue and dispel the ignorant notion the “the United States does not torture”.
July 2nd, 2008 at 12:16 pmHitchens also knew it was only a test. The guys at Gitmo believe they are going to drown.
July 2nd, 2008 at 12:16 pmSay what you will about Hitchens, he’s honest in his opinions (against left and right) and he has brass balls.
July 2nd, 2008 at 12:17 pmI’m sure glad this subject has finally been put to rest. Now that CH says so, the debate is over. Everyone knows how easily the group that condones waterboarding is persuaded by one person arguing that it is indeed torture.
July 2nd, 2008 at 12:17 pmWaterboarding causes minimal physical damage compared to most other methods, including placing head directly in water, and ingesting it.
July 2nd, 2008 at 12:18 pmRalph, Thanx, How could I have forgotten billo??? I find watching any of these scumbags about as torturous as waterboarding.
July 2nd, 2008 at 12:19 pmHitch only lasted 15 seconds if that.Andrew Sullivans blog has the video.
July 2nd, 2008 at 12:19 pmrozerze Says:
Waterboarding causes minimal physical damage compared to most other methods, including placing head directly in water, and ingesting it.
Unless the person has an undiagnosed lung embolysm. Then, it’s a potential death sentence.
July 2nd, 2008 at 12:20 pmRog2 and tripper,
It is so brave of you two to support this treatment, since neither of you have ever gone through it.
Typical chickenhawk responses.
July 2nd, 2008 at 12:21 pmWhoopdeedoo. There’s way more important stuff to discuss. Afterall, the technique worked when nothing else did.
—
July 2nd, 2008 at 12:21 pmWhat they do in Vietnam to McCain to get him to make stuff up or was he telling the truth? Maybe torture does work…
The CIA waterboarded less than five guys, KSM and a few of his BFFs. About two minutes of waterboarded shared between a few men.
That we know about. Man, you’re simple.
July 2nd, 2008 at 12:21 pmThere’s a theoretical difference between waterboarding for training purposes and waterboarding for torture. Hitchens technically wasn’t being tortured. Yet people who have experienced it with the knowledge that it was only training all say it’s torture.
The reason: waterboarding isn’t “simulated drowning” as the media like to tell us. The victim is in fact drowning and can die.
July 2nd, 2008 at 12:22 pmCheney: So?
July 2nd, 2008 at 12:23 pmMurderers, liars, torturers and warmongers never bear false witness do they?
July 2nd, 2008 at 12:25 pmI would be very doubtful that these detainees were given “safe words” or a “dead-man’s switch” as Hitchens was given, to stop the torture if it became too great.
July 2nd, 2008 at 12:25 pmReich-wingers “think” water torture is just like swimming and that GitMo is just like camping.
Sorry, you vile low-life pigs have zero credibility.
July 2nd, 2008 at 12:25 pmbear=bare
July 2nd, 2008 at 12:26 pmWhen is RumpsFelt going to personally test out those prolonged stress positions he used to compare to exercising?
July 2nd, 2008 at 12:26 pmAnd like Hitch asked, what if a detainee had no information to give, to stop the torture? It would quickly drive him insane.
July 2nd, 2008 at 12:27 pmOf course our resident trolls would show up to defend the indefensible.
Perhaps they should waterboard your mothers, you benighted fools, and then you can tell us that it’s just a few drops of water.
Asssholes.
July 2nd, 2008 at 12:30 pmI have never been waterboarded, but I think that I’ve always known that this is torture. The only requirement for me to know this is compassion for another living being and empathy for what other feel.
Those that say that this is not torture must have let fear overcome their sense of humanity. That is the only explanation that I have ever been able to come up with to explain their rationale.
July 2nd, 2008 at 12:30 pmProve it, troll.
July 2nd, 2008 at 12:30 pmOnly a complete lunatic and anti-American would support torture. Fact.
July 2nd, 2008 at 12:31 pmSo since torture works so well McCain was telling the truth over there?
July 2nd, 2008 at 12:31 pmbarfly Says:
Unless the person has an undiagnosed lung embolysm. Then, it’s a potential death sentence.
And if they have asthma, making them walk is potentialy deadly…but being healthy, it wouldn’t be bad.
July 2nd, 2008 at 12:32 pmwhen a drunken bafoon knows it torture, it’s torture.
July 2nd, 2008 at 12:33 pmWhen do we get to see the video of Hannity and Coulter getting waterboarded? Now THAT would be priceless.
July 2nd, 2008 at 12:33 pmJust how loyal are you? Are there people who have tried it and ended up being stronger proponents of using it?
Sounds like something an idiotic fox ‘correspondant’ would do, or someone who needs to test to see if tazering still hurts.
July 2nd, 2008 at 12:34 pmHussein McCain Says:
When is RumpsFelt going to personally test out those prolonged stress positions he used to compare to exercising?
—–
We know nothing about his or Cheney’s sexual life… perhaps he enjoys this sort of thing in private???? I’m just asking.
July 2nd, 2008 at 12:35 pmQuestion: if Gitmo really is “just like a Boy Scout camp”, then why aren’t the wingnuts up in arms about Bush being soft on terrorists?
I mean, he’s obviously keeping them supplied with marshmallows and bug spray, right?
Maybe they think telling ghost stories around the campfire will get the terrorists to talk.
July 2nd, 2008 at 12:35 pmReich-wing GOPigs, i.e. anti-Americans, support torture. Fact.
July 2nd, 2008 at 12:35 pmWhy are the torture advocates ignoring my simple question? McCain told the truth in Vietnam cause torture works. Correct?
July 2nd, 2008 at 12:35 pmOnce again you prove what a complete imbecile you really are.
July 2nd, 2008 at 12:36 pmI think the one thing that we may be forgetting is that the journalist “knew” he wasn’t going to drown, that there may have even been a “stop” signal when he had enough.
July 2nd, 2008 at 12:37 pmIt would have been different had he been “taken away” at night from his family, flown thousands of miles to gawd knows where, interrogated indefinitely at all hours of the day and night for reason you do not know, and then water boarded for information you know nothing about.
THAT WOULD BE SIMILAR!
Miles Tougeaux Says:
When do we get to see the video of Hannity and Coulter getting waterboarded?
————————————————————–
It would stop as soon as the question is answered correctly.
July 2nd, 2008 at 12:37 pmI’ve been gone for a few days. I see the trolls have actually devolved a little bit in that time.
July 2nd, 2008 at 12:37 pmGlad to see he agrees with almost everyone else in the civilized world!
A little history behind my opinion. I am a speaker, author and educator in BDSM and alternative sexuality subjects. I have both experienced and practiced a modified version of water boarding in a consensual setting.
I can assure you if it was used for interrogation, you could get the subject to confess to kidnapping the Lindbergh baby. In a real interrogation setting it will produce nothing of value. Most developed countries stopped torturing people long ago, the confessions are highly suspect and will not hold up in a court of law.
For those who would state that torture produced valid information, consider the Spanish Inquisition and how many “witches and heretics” were found using those techniques. Of course many of the backers of this kind of torture still believe in “demons and witches” so this may fall on deaf ears.
July 2nd, 2008 at 12:40 pmwho’s the guy in
the black ski mask,
jeb?
¶
July 2nd, 2008 at 12:40 pmThere’s way more important stuff to discuss. Afterall, the technique worked when nothing else did.
The technique worked because you say so? Uhmmm, no. If it worked, where is the proof or even the slightest bit of evidence?
Alas, Just another example of throwing nonsense against a wall, hoping some of it sticks.
July 2nd, 2008 at 12:40 pmActually ralph the wonder llama you have missed little. I few undersized “schoolies” but nothing worth actually messing with…
July 2nd, 2008 at 12:40 pmBarack Hussein Obama, Jr. Says:
——————————————————————————–
Everyone knows torture doesn’t work.Let nancy pelosi serve them warm milk in cookies while wearing nothing but a thong.
That will work!!Like Roise said” terrorist have feelings to”.
– So will you answer my question?
July 2nd, 2008 at 12:41 pmBarack Hussein Obama, Jr. Says:
Everyone knows torture doesn’t work.Let nancy pelosi serve them warm milk in cookies while wearing nothing but a thong.
That will work!!Like Roise said” terrorist have feelings to”.
Now you’re just being stupid.
July 2nd, 2008 at 12:42 pmI can’t believe the devolved trolls (thanks ralph) agree that water boarding can be done on captured US Soldiers to obtain information.
Mucing forons!
July 2nd, 2008 at 12:44 pmNow you’re just being stupid.
Now you’re assuming a troll can be anything but?!
July 2nd, 2008 at 12:44 pmTrippleKick Says:
——————————————————————————–
And you wonder why the left is seen as soft on terrorism, more interested in giving terrorists the royal vip treatment rather than killing them.
—
July 2nd, 2008 at 12:45 pmMaybe you’d like to explain my conundrum?
more interested in giving terrorists the royal vip treatment rather than killing them.
Actually I’m 100% in favor of you and the Neocon’s immediate demise.
Pussy.
July 2nd, 2008 at 12:45 pmThe word must be out in freeperland that the practice of torture by Americans is being threatened!
Stupid-shit fcukless twits.
July 2nd, 2008 at 12:47 pmTrippleKick Says:
And you wonder why the left is seen as soft on terrorism, more interested in giving terrorists the royal vip treatment rather than killing them.
Correction: Terrorist SUSPECTS.
I do agree that progressives want to treat their fellow human beings with at least a minimal amount of dignity - which sort of suggests we don’t murder them becaue frightened children like you will FEEL safer while hiding under your beds. Silly little scardy cats…The right side is filled with little boys and girls.
July 2nd, 2008 at 12:49 pmComcast On-demand: Waterboarding all present and past members of the Bush admin.
I can dream, can’t I?
July 2nd, 2008 at 12:49 pmThe “Left” is responsible for setting up a Boy Scout Camp for al Qaeda?
Little insight for ya, TK; “the left is seen as soft on terrorism” only by right-wing fantasists like yourself.
July 2nd, 2008 at 12:49 pmTrippleKick Says:
——————————————————————————–
And you wonder why the left is seen as soft on terrorism, more interested in giving terrorists the royal vip treatment rather than killing them.
July 2nd, 2008 at 12:41 pm Recommend (0) | Report A
And you wouldn’t know a terrorist if he bit you on the ass.
July 2nd, 2008 at 12:52 pmBetcha that wasn’t as much torture as Hitchens’ has put his liver through during his lifetime.
take care
tony and guidedog Lido
Barack Hussein Obama Michael Savage, Jr. Says:
It is strange to see that almost all the time liberals/democrats fall on the side of terrorist,murderers,sex offenders and other law breakers.
Must be a strong voting block for them.
Now you’re just being really stupid.
July 2nd, 2008 at 12:52 pmFor the Bush Regime:
Reinvestigate 9/11.
Impeach.
World Court Trial.
Verdict: Crimes Against Humanity and Treason.
Throw away the key.
July 2nd, 2008 at 12:53 pmOFF TOPIC:
Just thought I’d ask:
why do you think Obama has capitulated on the telcomm immunity and FISA?
July 2nd, 2008 at 12:55 pmTroll replies:
I GOTTA BE MEEEEE!
July 2nd, 2008 at 12:56 pmThan your should be all for it dr husseinie
Same can’t spell worth ashit troll, new fake name. If Barack had a son, you wouldn’t be him, jerkoff.
July 2nd, 2008 at 12:56 pmWhy does Obama want to continue Bush’s faith based programs?
To increase their funding and ability to aid people in need.
Got reading comprehension problems, or are you just a dumbfcuk in training?
July 2nd, 2008 at 12:59 pmbut, it’s just a little dunk….
July 2nd, 2008 at 1:00 pmBarack Hussein Obama, Jr. Says:
——————————————————————————–
Why does Obama want to continue Bush’s faith based programs?
July 2nd, 2008 at 12:57 pm Recommend (0) | Report AbuseAre trolls born with an extra “stupid” gene or something? Because ours are dumber than an earthworm.
July 2nd, 2008 at 1:01 pmtony and lido
Hey, trolls, why do you want America to become the biggest terrorist nation on the planet…?
July 2nd, 2008 at 1:02 pmAnd if they have asthma, making them walk is potentialy deadly…but being healthy, it wouldn’t be bad.
What part of “undiagnosed” don’t you grasp, Young Einstein?
July 2nd, 2008 at 1:04 pmralph the wonder llama Says:
Christopher HItchens is a pain in the ass and frequently wrong-headed, but I give him credit for having the balls to get first-hand experience of the issue and dispel the ignorant notion the “the United States does not torture”.
I agree completely, this was an article that needed to be written but first you needed someone with sufficient stature to do what Hitchens did.
July 2nd, 2008 at 1:06 pmSpeaking of making one’s own side look silly and foolish… heckuvajob, Trippy!
(…you sure you’re not a left-wing plant trying to make the right look silly and foolish? It’s so hard to tell.)
July 2nd, 2008 at 1:10 pmHitchens has earned his first merit badge from Scout Camp.
July 2nd, 2008 at 1:10 pmrozerze Says:
Waterboarding causes minimal physical damage compared to most other methods, including placing head directly in water, and ingesting it.
Physical Damage isn’t the ONLY DAMAGE possible, and actually it can kill otherwise seemingly healthy people - a feat walking across the street is NOT likely to cause in a seemingly healthy individual. So that UNDERMINES your CLAIM about physical damage. It also points to your FIXATION on PHYSICAL DAMAGE, without you having the ADULT B*LLS to admit that MENTAL TORTURE is STILL TORTURE according to the GENEVA CONVENTION and CIVILITY (a characteristic you don’t grasp or exhibit personally).
July 2nd, 2008 at 1:10 pmWhen TRAITOR Bush DROPS DEAD and goes to hell (which I hope is SOON), his PUNISHMENT for GENOCIDE should be:
1. Send his miserable azs back to earth, specifically Baghdad, with a sign on him that says “KICK ME”.
2. When he expires there, send him to Tehran for the SAME.
BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
July 2nd, 2008 at 1:16 pmScrew you, trollsh*t.
You advocate torture. You advocate pre-emptive nuclear war. You advocate bombing any nation that you feel is a threat. You advocate killing or imprisoning anyone who disagrees with you.
Osama bin Laden uses torture. Osama bin Laden wants to use a nuke on the West. Osama bin Laden wants to kill anyone who disagrees with his extreme philosophy.
So tell me, trollsh*t, how are YOU different from Osama bin Laden…?
July 2nd, 2008 at 1:18 pmAnswer my question, assswipe. Until then, you’re just blustering and calling names. I’ve laid out your beliefs and those of OBL - can you dispute them?
ANSWER MY QUESTION: How are YOU different than OSAMA BIN LADEN?
July 2nd, 2008 at 1:23 pmPerhaps I’m slow today? Did a troll make a point that I missed?
July 2nd, 2008 at 1:25 pmPete: Nope. No point at all.
Just the same old smelly wind.
July 2nd, 2008 at 1:26 pmTrippleKick Says:
Lefty Loon says:
“So tell me, trollsh*t, how are YOU different from Osama bin Laden…?”
Again proven my point.
this comment makes no sense.
?
care to try again?
…
July 2nd, 2008 at 1:26 pmTrippleArse sings “America, F-Yeah. So lick my butt and suck on my balls, America F-Yeah”
July 2nd, 2008 at 1:26 pmLooks like some troll is suffering from being kicked in the head three times, really hard.
July 2nd, 2008 at 1:26 pmComprehension <= 0;
After the Bush Nazi Regime unleashed Hell on Earth in the Middle East (and the forecast calls for it to get a lot hotter i.e. Iran) –
can you just imagaine the Rage that will Rise Up and Retaliate against US?
July 2nd, 2008 at 1:27 pmLeftside Annie Says:
ANSWER MY QUESTION: How are YOU different than OSAMA BIN LADEN?
I am betting he is shorter and poorer, for starters…
July 2nd, 2008 at 1:27 pmTrippy,
Name ONE redeeming quality to TORTURE.
Name ONE redeeming quality to LYING.
Name ONE redeeming quality to FRAUD.
Name ONE redeeming quality to MURDER.
Name ONE redeeming quality to WAR CRIMES.
Name ONE redeeming quality to USURPING AMERICAN’S RIGHTS.
Name ONE redeeming quality, JUST ONE, to any of this that deserves a defense.
.
July 2nd, 2008 at 1:29 pmYeah, Keltoi, there *is* that.
Ummm, thanks. I think. :o/
July 2nd, 2008 at 1:32 pmLeftside Annie Says:
ANSWER MY QUESTION: How are YOU different than OSAMA BIN LADEN?
This could be fun!
Let’s see. One of them lives in a dark, dank hole. The other is a Saudi billionaire.
One of them gets a stiffy when people are blown up. The other is a Saudi billionaire.
July 2nd, 2008 at 1:34 pm.
Did the interrorgators punch Christopher Hitchens in the gut several times while being TORTURED?
Did the interrorgators TORTURE Hitchens before or after the ice packing?
Did the interrorgators string Hitchens up in his cage for 48 hours as just deserts?
.
July 2nd, 2008 at 1:35 pm.
Did Hitchens suffer organ failure?
As defined by Yoo, Addington and Bebe, it’s not torture until you’ve been tortured “to death” or at least, “organ failure”.
Oh, Hitchens’ brain doesn’t count. He was born that way!
.
July 2nd, 2008 at 1:40 pmTrippleArse:
Like most thoughtful people, I don’t think all American’s are terrorists. Just the current administration. And their dittoheads.
July 2nd, 2008 at 1:40 pmJohn McSenile:
“Bomb Bomb Iran”.
Mc Slime is a fkucing TRAITOR to the USA, who needs to be spending his $100 million, and letting the country be run by people who care about it
and its people. Like Obama.
July 2nd, 2008 at 1:42 pmIt has been almost an hour. Can anyone explain whether or not John McCain was telling the truth when he made what has been claimed to be a torture induced admission? Either he was telling the truth and torture works or he was not and torture doesn’t… In particular I was hoping Tripplekick or Barak Hussein Obama Jr, or soemone else more aligned with their worldview might help me out on this one…
July 2nd, 2008 at 1:43 pmI don’t think Hitchens was water tortured enough. That’s just me talkin’.
July 2nd, 2008 at 1:43 pmThis one is dedicated to all the trolls out there in TP land today:
“I call on all governments to join with the United States and the community of law-abiding nations in prohibiting, investigating, and prosecuting all acts of torture … and we are leading this fight by example.”
This gem is from your Dear Leader George W(e don’t torture) Bush from October 2003. C’mon all you law-abiding nations, any takers? The Hague? Don’t be shy, just take a number.
July 2nd, 2008 at 1:44 pmNice try, SuckieDick, but no cigar.
You still haven’t answered my question.
Because you can’t, eh?
It is quite obvious that you and Osama bin Laden are spiritual twins, both in love with torture and death for those who oppose you.
You obviously aren’t worth bothering with. Have a nice day.
Or not.
July 2nd, 2008 at 1:47 pm.
Trippy,
Calling you arrogant is a compliment, not an insult. As THAT IS what you are. I mean, what sort of soul actually berates residents of a location he’s barged into for being told he’s being a pain in the rear? I mean, you’re all in OUR faces as to how “WE” are wrong, bad, terrible beings…
Such a good Waaaaahhhpublican you make.
YOU knew this was a progressive site.
YOU knew you were inciting people’s ire.
YOU knew you were being deliberate.
You knew you would invite responses.
… And now YOU cry like a baby because “WE” find YOU repulsive. THAT’S your problem.
SOLUTION: Go somewhere else where you are wanted, appreciated, respected.
.
July 2nd, 2008 at 1:48 pmWhen TRAITOR Bush DROPS DEAD and goes to hell (which I hope is SOON), his PUNISHMENT for GENOCIDE should be:
1. Send his miserable azs back to earth, specifically Baghdad, with a sign on him that says “KICK ME”.
2. When he expires there, send him to Tehran for the SAME, this time with the sgn in Farsi.
BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
July 2nd, 2008 at 1:48 pmI have at times been critical of Christopher Hitchens, but after reading about this I hearby retract every disparaging remark I have ever made about him.
July 2nd, 2008 at 1:49 pmLike it, or not, the majority of the people around the world see us as a “terrorist” nation. And they have a stronger case than we do against many of them. And our confirmed mistreatment of prisoners is high on the long list of reasons.
The point that all too many Rightwingers miss is that We the People need to be honest when we appraise our place in the world. Like it, or not, we can not colonize as our British fore bearers did. The modern world won’t allow it. Nor can we isolate as we did for much of our history.
So. We MUST regain a place of honor among civilized nations to survive and flourish. That MUST be accomplished and it CAN NOT happen with the neocons in charge.
July 2nd, 2008 at 1:50 pmSo little white dude afraid of black dude, what’s a happening?
July 2nd, 2008 at 1:52 pmXXX:
July 2nd, 2008 at 1:53 pmWhat’dya think? Does torture work?
Osama bin Laden learned how to hate America from people like you.
July 2nd, 2008 at 1:56 pmActually all that America hating is self-taught… he learned how to kill Americans from people like the CIA…
.
But xxx,
Your team aides and gives him shelter in Pakistan…
Your team’s president is on the record. He doesn’t care to catch OBL…
Your team thinks being fiscally responsible is blowing TEN TRILLION dollars and have nothing to show for it.
Your team thinks being socially conscious is telling Middle Eastern nations… F.U. (except Israel and Saudi Arabia)
.
July 2nd, 2008 at 1:57 pmIf ANY of the flying monkeys here today were to be water boarded like Mr. Hitchens was there would not only be a few spots of water on their shirts but a large stain where they peed themselves and most probably a big steaming lump of doody in their drawers. I mean come on, all it takes is for them to hear Dick Cheney say the words Iran and nuclear weapons in the same sentence to obtain the same results.
“We will not walk in fear, one of another. We will not be driven into an age of unreason if we dig deep into our history and remember we are not descended from fearful men.”
Edward R. Murrow
July 2nd, 2008 at 1:57 pmSorry for the OT.
Hi dbadass. Did you find those Kites? A wild turkey crossed the road in front of me this morning and I thought of your birds.
July 2nd, 2008 at 1:58 pmIt works a hell of a lot better than massage and cable television.
Not if you want reliable information…
Actually, Interrogators have discovered that torture is not only morally wrong and twisted, it’s also useless…
People will say anything when tortured, why will you say anything to defend it?
July 2nd, 2008 at 2:02 pmXXX Says:
——————————————————————————–
dbadass Says:
It works a hell of a lot better than massage and cable television.
—
July 2nd, 2008 at 2:03 pmThanks XXX. So would you say that John McCain told the truth in his Vietnam confessional? Remember this torture shit works a hell of a lot better than massage and cable television. BTW: I don’t have cable tv. Am I being tortured?
Gen. George S. Patton was asked about “roughing up” prisoners for information. His, typical, response was:
” (Bleep!) there’s no reason to hit ‘em. If you give ‘em a hot meal they’ll give you Hitler’s address. If you give them a beer they’ll give you their sister’s address.”
July 2nd, 2008 at 2:04 pmHi pete:
July 2nd, 2008 at 2:05 pmWe just got a flyby of the juvenile. We found the nest site but we didn’t get the adult birds. The neighborhood is getting a little tense, so I do not know if I will return for better looks. Apparantly there is this one jackass who we actually ran into who thinks birders are disturbing the neighborhood and looking at the children and woman with their optics. Eveyone else we met was kind and welcoming and seemed to understand the uniqueness of the natural event
.
So when John McCain was TORTURED in a POW camp during Nam and signed a confession because OF that torture, does that mean the torture worked?
.
July 2nd, 2008 at 2:06 pmI would also like to add that torture is doubly useless against civilians with no operational knowledge. Not to mention the innocent.
July 2nd, 2008 at 2:08 pmHey Max-1:
July 2nd, 2008 at 2:08 pmAre you nudging in on my action?
Yes xxx, (TRIPLEKICK?)
WE are one Nation… divided.
See, I say what Worst Bush has done has been nothing but a disgrace.
You disagree and call me weak.
Like “WE” even agree… Ppppfffttt!
Don’t pee on my leg and try to sell me umbrellas…
.
July 2nd, 2008 at 2:11 pmsorry db,
LOL
July 2nd, 2008 at 2:11 pmSounds like the Kites are being “guarded” by a troll. But, great news that they fledged a chick! All those little victories bring hope.
I might be going to Oshkosh, Ws for Independence Day and I might take a swing past the Whooping crane rearing area. I read that they have had an awesome year despite being close to some dangerous storms.
July 2nd, 2008 at 2:15 pmOne important difference. The good reporter doesn’t have brown skin and therefore can’t speak to what is or isn’t torture against them Muslims.
Unfortunately, I can easily imagine the above argument being used by the hate industry.
July 2nd, 2008 at 2:16 pmSo Max-1:
July 2nd, 2008 at 2:16 pmI welcome the support. Don’t let this line of reason drop. As is usually the case I forecast that if we get any hits they will be weak bites that will attempt to distract/deflect. Otherwise I think we will see continued avoidance of this conundrum by our torture loving friends. I figure another few hours and once again I will be declaring “Pussies for Life” honoraria yet again…
Sorry, TrippleSchmuck aka XXX - Der Furher Bush is alllllll YOURS. Not mine. YOURS. You and your fellow 23%ers slavishly approved his policies of torture, rendition and pre-emptive war.
I did not. Ever.
July 2nd, 2008 at 2:20 pmpete:
The juvenile we saw is not of this first nesting in the state. I don’t know how many years it takes for the emergence of the adult plummage. Why it is hanging around this nesting pair is somewhat of a mystery. I suspect it is kin but who knows. Although in general I am opposed to direct interventions it would be cool to do some DNA stuff.
Actually if someone could get feathers some work good be done without directly engaging the bird…
July 2nd, 2008 at 2:20 pmOh - and one other thing:
Osama bin Laden hates me, just like you and trolls like you hate me, for only one reason:
I and those like me are better than you are.
Unlike you and your spiritual twin OBL, I do not torture or murder or bomb innocent people for any reason.
July 2nd, 2008 at 2:24 pmLeftside Annie - goodness! You don’t want our detractors to label you delusional with this ‘I’m better than you are’ stuff, do you? I mean, they’ll get really, really mad and want to…oh I don’t know…pull out your fingernails or something. Perhaps just a sternly worded letter should do the trick.
July 2nd, 2008 at 2:31 pmdb:
I understand. I wish them all the best.
I know that the local Eagles hang around their parents until the following breeding season. And even then they don’t go far. It’s common to see a juvenile with an adult even when there should be new chicks. They just aren’t allowed near the nest. In the winter they all flock to the edges of open water and it’s easy to identify all three generations and, generally, family loyalties. They all squabble on occasion but it seems like, for “solitary” birds, they show a preference for the company of friends and relatives. But the get there adult plumage, and apparently truly go it alone, in there third ear.
That’s enough thread jacking for me. I’ve got errands. Later.
July 2nd, 2008 at 2:32 pmGive ‘em Hell Annie. Cockroaches always run if you shine the light right on ‘em.
July 2nd, 2008 at 2:34 pmpete Says:
——————————————————————————–
Gen. George S. Patton was asked about “roughing up” prisoners for information. His, typical, response was:
” (Bleep!) there’s no reason to hit ‘em. If you give ‘em a hot meal they’ll give you Hitler’s address. If you give them a beer they’ll give you their sister’s address.”
God, that is priceless. He was truly one of a kind.
July 2nd, 2008 at 2:38 pmOops! “they get their”. Try typing that ten times fast!
July 2nd, 2008 at 2:39 pmKeltoi Says:
God, that is priceless. He was truly one of a kind.
July 2nd, 2008 at 2:38 pm
He was that. I’ve been trying to locate the book it came from. It’s in with thousands of volumes I’ve been lugging around for 30 years and I’ll be danged if I can even remember the title or what the jacket looked like. It was mostly a collection of essays , quotes, and excerpts from memoirs. It contains loads of great stuff.
July 2nd, 2008 at 2:45 pmAnd you still haven’t answered her question. Nor dbadass’ question for that matter.
July 2nd, 2008 at 2:46 pmMcCain torture confession = truth?
July 2nd, 2008 at 2:47 pmAny takers? Come on now tough guys….
Does Hitchens look like some on who has just been “tortured” to you? His hair is not even messed up. Not one button on his shirt has been ripped off. Just give him a tie and a suit coat and he is ready for the office once again…………take a look a WW II pics if you want to se what torture really is or check out what our enemy’s do to extract information from our troop’s. Looks to me like Chris just got his face washed……..
July 2nd, 2008 at 2:47 pm.
Zed,
How bout these pics from our troops, themselves.
Hitchens doesn’t even resemble any of this and he wussed out during round two…
.
July 2nd, 2008 at 2:53 pmHi Zed:
July 2nd, 2008 at 2:54 pmSo does torture work?
Thanks, Pete. I ought not let these bloodyflarking trolls get under my skin, but dayum, I have a real loathing for torture - and for those who advocate using it.
~ A
July 2nd, 2008 at 2:59 pmTrolls prove each and every day that the terrorists have already won. They admire the abdication of the bill of rights to the unitary executive, and cower in mommy’s basement, lest some brown person bayonet them in their sleep.
July 2nd, 2008 at 3:04 pmHi Annie, I agree with your stance, and with the stance of the experts, that torture is bad and does not provide credible info. Of course the trolls here are getting paid to cause trouble by spouting their right wing talking points so they won’t answer the question (or will point to some idiotic television show as proof, sad). When they are asked a question, all they can do is spout the talking points again or try to start a flame war. It can be tough but try talking about them rather than to them. If they were really in search of true debate, it is give and take. These trolls are obvious and need to seek help.
Pax
July 2nd, 2008 at 3:08 pmLast time I checked cowboy, being American makes us all on the same team regardless of your party affiliation. And the government is just as much apart of you as it is President Bush
I just tasted my lunch again on that hypocracy (?)
July 2nd, 2008 at 3:09 pmtony and Lido
So cupcakes? About this whole torture thing works vis a vi McCain. You all know I won’t be dropping it till you muster a response or then again you can always just wear the Pussy for Life Badge. Either way. Makes no matter to me…
July 2nd, 2008 at 3:15 pmAnd can you please bring along a lowercase s. I am all out and what with gas prices…
July 2nd, 2008 at 3:17 pmWho would Jesus torture?
July 2nd, 2008 at 4:36 pmThis is probably the only thing that Hitchens has ever done or ever will do that makes me admire him just a little, teeny bit. I got so sick and tired of watching all those GOP talking heads who declared that waterboarding wasn’t torture, that it wasn’t terrifying, etc. Hitchens had the balls to put it to the test on himself. Consider that he wasn’t being screamed at, yelled at, hit, abused, etc. while the waterboarding went on. From what I read in the article it seems that the guys performing the torture were silent. Also, Hitchens had the knowledge that he could end the torture at any time by dropping the things he was holding or saying the “safe” word. Real people don’t have such a luxury. If it was terrifying for Hitchens, who had some control over the situation, then imagine how horrible it would be for those who had no such control.
Waterboarding is torture.
July 2nd, 2008 at 4:56 pmNothing… Not a damn thing! Damn you people are weak. Muster an arguments or be Pussies for Life! I so much wanted to share your moment with you but my night gig has called me in. Holiday sales bubble most be met. I’ll check around 1 am eastern. I look forward to a logical well articulated explaination. Does it suck to be a shallow thinker?…
July 2nd, 2008 at 5:29 pmIt wouldn’t be torture if Hitchens was scotch and water boarded.
July 2nd, 2008 at 6:08 pmLook, mein Herren und Damen–no one here understands science! One man’s experience is MERELY AN ANECDOTE. We need controlled clinical studies to evaluate the question “is waterboarding torture.”
Deflecting about $100 million from the NIH budget should suffice. Enrolling participants should be EASY.
Why, first on the list can be Alberto Gonzalez! The Secondary Aim of the study can be “Does Waterboarding provide useful information.” If Albie says something other than “I don’t recall”, there’s you’re proof!
The enrollment can then proceed onward to include Dick Cheney, John Yoo, Rummy, Addington, Feith, Rice, Powell, Rove, etc.
There! Then we can answer this important Question!
July 3rd, 2008 at 5:45 amWater boarding violates international agreements as well as the Army Field Manual. Bush and Cheney need to be held accountable; water board them and see if they remember everything they’ve tried to cover up.
July 3rd, 2008 at 4:34 pm