Durbin abuse case not verified

The Washington Times ^ | July 18, 2005 | Rowan Scarborough

[seamus]

Military investigators did not substantiate major charges of prisoner abuse contained in one FBI agent's e-mail that was read on the Senate floor by Minority Whip Richard J. Durbin as an example of U.S.-sanctioned torture at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba....     

 Gen. Schmidt wrote in his report, "Another FBI agent stated she witnessed a detainee short shackled and lying in his own excrement. The [investigation] was unable to find any documentation, testimony, or other evidence corroborating the third agent's recollection to this allegation or her e-mail allegation that one of the detainees had pulled his hair out while short shackled."    

    The Schmidt report also said, "We discovered no evidence to support the allegation that the detainees were denied food and water."   

     In all, Gen. Schmidt said he found no evidence of torture, but did find cases of aggressive interrogations of reputed al Qaeda and Taliban members captured in Afghanistan.   

     Mr. Durbin's spokesman said Friday it is inaccurate to say the charges were disproved because investigators never talked to the FBI agent who wrote the e-mail ...   

     Mr. Durbin issued a statement that said, in part:     "Many aspects of the report made public today are troubling. This is yet another report that fails to examine the decision by administration officials related to torture policy. The report did not review the legality of abusive interrogation techniques that the secretary of defense explicitly approved. It did not address objections by the FBI ... that these techniques are unconstitutional and ineffective. Instead, the investigation engaged in circular reasoning -- if an interrogation technique was approved by the Department of Defense, this report found such a technique does not constitute abuse. In other words, the secretary of defense decides what the law is."  

[concerned about politics]

Torture propaganda again? The left is trying the same losing issue AGAIN? Don't they ever learn?

Next, a dork like Kerry will be screaming DSM when the Wilson scandal hits rock bottom! Why not recycle that old scam again? Sheesh!

Rush is right. They have no new ideas. They just pull attacks out of their hats.

[DarthVader]

.....and eating it too!

[massgopguy]

It would be a Hate Crime to make them eat; "Macaroni and Cheese, Cheese Pizza, Hot Dog or Peanut Butter and Jelly". Or as my daughter would call it. Her school lunch program menu.

[Extremely Extreme Extremist]

I hope the voters give him some.

Yeah, more votes and campaign money.

[savedbygrace]

The [investigation] was unable to find any documentation, testimony, or other evidence corroborating the third agent's recollection to this allegation or her e-mail allegation that one of the detainees had pulled his hair out while short shackled."

I'm assuming "short shackled" means that you are shackled in such a way that you are unable to actually reach your hands to your head.

Anyone know for sure what "short shackled" means?

[Mind-numbed Robot]

Torture propaganda again? The left is trying the same losing issue AGAIN? Don't they ever learn?

Next will be that Rove is torturing Martha Miller with his evil tongue sleight of hand that set her up. Oh, Rove wasn't her source? Doesn't matter, he is an evil genius and was behind it all. Full speed ahead.

[defconw]

I am shocked! Shocked that a liberal Democrat would lie! Sarcasm off now! :)

[RetiredArmy]

but did find cases of aggressive interrogations of reputed al Qaeda and Taliban members captured in Afghanistan.

Am I to assume by this that we cannot "aggressively interrogate" these murderers now? Is that another big liberal no - no?

[Mo1]

Joe Shoemaker, Mr. Durbin's spokesman, said Friday it is inaccurate to say the charges were disproved because investigators never talked to the FBI agent who wrote the e-mail or to some jail personnel who have since left active duty and declined to talk.

And Mr. Shoemaker knows this how?

Oh and keep digging Durbin

[defconw]

Durbin probably conjured the whole thing?

[26lemoncharlie]

We need to lect AMERICANS into office, People who are everyday Americans

[jdm]

"It would be a Hate Crime to make them eat; "Macaroni and Cheese, Cheese Pizza, Hot Dog or Peanut Butter and Jelly". Or as my daughter would call it. Her school lunch program menu."

I wonder if Durbin would be ticked and saddened to learn that I had Spaghetti O's for lunch today. Oh wait, the whole eating-like-a-millionaire thing only applies to terrorists. My bad!

[Ann Archy]

What was the NAME of the FBI memo writer?? Have we EVER found out his name??

[mainepatsfan]

First the Rove story and now this. Is there any other Dem accusation that will soon be disproved?

[mainepatsfan]

Another brilliant Rove plot!

[jackieaxe]

Disgraceful. The Dems, the media, all of the above. Disgraceful
Yes! First Durbin calls our protectors Nazi, then "apologizes" to those who were offended by my words. Never mind that his words were wrong. But what is most disgraceful is the continued attacks by democrats on our troops. Carl Levin last week gave them a shot, Ted Kennedy continues to give them shots. I don't remember many actual House members or Senators calling the troops murderers or torturers. The democrats I would say have pushed the bubble of treason to it's breaking point and I hope their words haunt them next election. Unless you are routing for the terrorists, how could you vote for a Durbin, Levin, Kennedy or a Polosi? And why would they run for office if they are not on our side?

[mainepatsfan]

He'll probably claim the allegation is fake but accurate.

[madison10]

The Libs have been making up so many stories lately...I actually forgot who Durbin was.

[Stultis]

What was the NAME of the FBI memo writer??

Dunno, but wouldn't be at all surprised if there's a "bin" or an "al" in the middle of it.

[defconw]

That would be rather Ratheresque! Sorry I had to!