This statement is absurd on its face. Both are definitively torture. They are inhuman and unAmerican.
Second give me examples of the more effective methods.
Army Field Manual 34-52 Chapter 1
It states:
PROHIBITION AGAINST USE OF FORCE
The use of force, mental torture, threats, insults, or exposure to unpleasant and inhumane treatment of any kind is prohibited by law and is neither authorized nor. condoned by the US Government. Experience indicates that the use of force is not necessary to gain the cooperation of sources for interrogation. Therefore, the use of force is a poor technique, as it yields unreliable results, may damage subsequent collection efforts, and can induce the source to say whatever he thinks the interrogator wants to hear. However, the use of force is not to be confused with psychological ploys, verbal trickery, or other nonviolent and noncoercive ruses used by the interrogator in questioning hesitant or uncooperative sources.
The psychological techniques and principles outlined should neither be confused with, nor construed to be synonymous with, unauthorized techniques such as brainwashing, mental torture, or any other form of mental coercion to include drugs. These techniques and principles are intended to serve as guides in obtaining the willing cooperation of a source. The absence of threats in interrogation is intentional, as their enforcement and use normally constitute violations of international law and may result in prosecution under the UCMJ.
Additionally, the inability to carry out a threat of violence or force renders an interrogator ineffective should the source challenge the threat. Consequently, from both legal and moral viewpoints, the restrictions established by international law, agreements, and customs render threats of force, violence, and deprivation useless as interrogation techniques.
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I am a Christian, a conservative and an American. Torture violates all three of those things. Cheney happens to be a great American, but he and Bush are wrong on torture. It has caused net/net more harm than good to America and American interests.
“First of all “water boarding” and “sleep deprivation” is not torture.
This statement is absurd on its face. Both are definitively torture. They are inhuman and unAmerican.”
I am happy to see you have unilaterally taken it upon yourself to define behavior that is “unAmerican”. Your sanctimony expresses your own values not necessarily those of a large sector of Americans.It especially does not express my values because I agree that controlled enhanced interrogation techniques such as waterboarding and sleep deprivation can be effective to a certain extent to get them talking.Then it becomes a delicate matter of separating the disinformation from the kernels of truth.Because it may be distasteful to some and because it is a difficult task does not mean you do not do it.Further, because it may not work in one circumstance does not mean it will not in another.
The Army Field manuals you cited are bureaucratic documents to govern the conduct of large masses of troops in the field who may have a difficult time discriminating what degree of interrogation constitutes “torture” so the manual applies a blanket prohibition against pretty much everything beyond basic questioning. Note the catchall reference to prohibiting “unpleasant” treatment.Pretty silly on its face as “unpleasant” is undefined. Is “unpleasant” treatment torture or unAmerican?
At higher levels of intelligence as relates to the CIA that can discriminate and apply techniques under controlled circumstances, Army Field manuals have no application nor relevancy.
One last thing, John McCain may have expressed his disapproval of enhanced interrogation techniques but he will be the first one to tell you from experience that it does work.Don’t listen to his words.Read his book. There are some techniques that are and should be off limits. But sleep deprivation and waterboarding are not such techniques.