We've held some muslims at Gitmo for 5 years. How current do you think the terror plot info that they have is?

Question

Is it just me, or could the information that these people have be a bit on the stale side? Could it possibly be pointless to torture people for information that is five years old? Perhaps the Bushies think that Osama is calling up the prisoners and telling them all about the next big job?

Is the only possible reason to torture people for ancient information the theory that Republicans will see Bush torturing these muslims and say, "It's a good thing Bush is torturing these muslims for 5 year old info; those yellow liberals wouldn't do that; I am going to vote Republican this year." As long as we're torturing people for good reasons like getting out the Republican base in the November elections, it must be all right.

Answer 1

For one thing, it does take years to plan and execute certain kinds of coordinated attackes... you think the 9/11 hijackers thought up their plan during Labor Day weekend and carried it out the next week?

Of course, If you don't like it, tell your Democrat candidates to go out and win a few elections so that they can turn all the prisoners loose.

Answer 2

Of course they have no valuable information. They probably never had any in the first place. Mostly they were not even captured by Americans; they were handed over by people who themselves had highly questionable motives and no objectivity. There is a very good chance they had nothing whatsoever to do with Al Qa'ida or terrorism. But if they never see trial, which certainly appears likely, then we'll never know will we?

But, hey, what are we worried about? Their jailers are Americans, and EVERYBODY KNOWS THAT AMEIRCANS ARE THE GOOD GUYS. Keep saying that over and over again. It doesn't matter about behaviour or violating laws, if they are Yankee they MUST be the Good Guys by definition!

And, if it turns out they were committing crimes against humanity, they can just retroactively redefine crimes against humanity to eliminate that sticky point.

Answer 3

You're arguing reality and logic. Which don't matter relative to public perception. People believe what they're told. Logic has nothing to do with most of their beliefs.

Besides, we can't even get people to believe federal laws should be followed there, or that the Constitution still applies.

And Bush doesn't care about torturing the ones held there 5 years. He wants the ability to torture anyone else they capture. And since he refuses to abide by Supreme Court rulings and constitutional requirements, he can simply capture and detail anyone he wants, torture them all he wants, with no legal recourse.

Answer 4

Lame...

If you are playing chess, after you capture a piece, do you put it back on the field?

The whole information bit is silly. The fact is, if you release them before the war is over, they will take up arms and continue to fight- if you assume anything less you will not just be wrong but dead and wrong.

On the torture issue:
Torture is a subjective term...some consider Rap, Country, Heavy Metal, "boy bands", Barney, etc torture. You can define it any way you want and be right or wrong depending on who's listening- that was the problem.

I dont believe that any elected official favors torture and wishes to be re-elected.

Answer 5

So...I understand what you are saying, however, they are held at Gitmo awaiting their trials for plotting to aid terror efforts around the world as well. I doubt that they are using interrogation techniques on people that don't warrant it, it is a waste of time. They need to be held accountable for their crimes against innocent people, and if they have to listen to the Red Hot Chili Peppers and be uncomfortable during some interrogations, I am fine with that. If interrogations will keep our people from being slaughtered I am for it. They are there for PLOTING murders and you feel sympathy for them. Wow.

Answer 6

Good point !!! And, your point is >??