A former CIA agent says water boarding was approved at the White House, McCain says its torture. Is it?

Question

"This was a policy made at the White House, with concurrence from the National Security Council and Justice Department."
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071211/ap_on_go_co/cia_videotapes

Who agrees with McCain? Who agrees with Bush's approval?

Answer 1

I say water boarding is psychological and does no physical harm to a person. Is hypnosis torture? I think not, neither is sleep deprivation. Torture is defined as creating great physical pain to gain information. There is no physical pain involved all psychological.

Answer 2

Well, I dont agree with McCain on alot of things, but I have to admit being a prisoner of war in Vietnam gives him alot of credentials in that particular category.

That being said there was a house bill in 9/2006 to make evidence gleaned through processes that included waterboarding legal and the house voted 253-168 for it.

So I would say this isnt just a policy made at the White House as quoted.

Answer 3

You're behind the times and you didn't see the obvious. McClellan's (not him) Publisher said that McClellen said that Bush/Cheney knew. McClellan (himself) is saying that Bush didn't lie about the Plame incident. I caught this when the story first broke. McClellan's Publisher, not McClellan said that. Are you going to sign up to arrest John Kerry? In a video from a few years ago a CIA official was describing an operation. An undercover operative was identified as "Agent Smith" and repeatedly called him by that nom de guerre. John Kerry having the documents in front of him kept calling the agent by his real name and thus outed him. Kerry is either very stupid or a traitor right?

Answer 4

The CIA sources described a list of six "Enhanced Interrogation Techniques" instituted in mid-March 2002 and used, they said, on a dozen top al Qaeda targets incarcerated in isolation at secret locations on military bases in regions from Asia to Eastern Europe. According to the sources, only a handful of CIA interrogators are trained and authorized to use the techniques:

1. The Attention Grab: The interrogator forcefully grabs the shirt front of the prisoner and shakes him.

2. Attention Slap: An open-handed slap aimed at causing pain and triggering fear.

3. The Belly Slap: A hard open-handed slap to the stomach. The aim is to cause pain, but not internal injury. Doctors consulted advised against using a punch, which could cause lasting internal damage.

4. Long Time Standing: This technique is described as among the most effective. Prisoners are forced to stand, handcuffed and with their feet shackled to an eye bolt in the floor for more than 40 hours. Exhaustion and sleep deprivation are effective in yielding confessions.

5. The Cold Cell: The prisoner is left to stand naked in a cell kept near 50 degrees. Throughout the time in the cell the prisoner is doused with cold water.

6. Water Boarding: The prisoner is bound to an inclined board, feet raised and head slightly below the feet. Cellophane is wrapped over the prisoner's face and water is poured over him. Unavoidably, the gag reflex kicks in and a terrifying fear of drowning leads to almost instant pleas.

Best Regards.

Answer 5

Water boarding , to my knowledge, has been used for many decades. I have read that since Vietnam some soldiers have been trained by having it inflicted on them so they can resist the technique if captured behind enemy lines. It has been introduced to all administrations since it's introduction as a means to gain intelligence. In 2002, the intelligence committee was shown the technique, Nancy Pelosi present and no objections filed, and it is still being used today.

Answer 6

I agree with McCain. Can't comment on Bush's approval, not enough information given. Knowing he approved it is not enough, I'd need to know specifics as to why and the scope of approval given. In general I'd be inclined to say I don't approve of Bush's approval.

Answer 7

I would totally agree that torturing even with a bullet to the head of a suspected terrorist is a sound way of getting information to fight the animals that want you and your family dead. But if having some raving lunatic (freedom fighter) cutting the heads off totally innocent people in the name of their cause is considered justified by many people in the world. Then how would it be dealt with best? Recalling the days of Japan and Vietnam Mr.McCain should remember things ain't changed that much.

Answer 8

It was approved at the white house and it's torture. So, I guess I agree with McCain.

Answer 9

Water boarding is torture,Bush said in the early years we do not torture,that's why the tapes where destroyed I think...Yes McCain is correct,who would no better than him ,he was tortured to screams of pain ,in Nam. chow F.P

Answer 10

It doesn't matter whether you think waterboarding is a good "interrogation technique" or not... you should at least be willing to admit that yes, it is torture to hold someone's head under water until they tell you what you want to hear.

Answer 11

I also saw that it only took 35 seconds for the one guy to confess.

Although, I am fundamentally against waterboarding, because I truly believe in freedom and liberty and the 'goodness' of our country, it really makes you wonder......