[mad_as_he$$]

In the jungles of a certain Southeast Asian country we had intel that thew bad guys were arranging a significant ambush of a large good guy troop movement. We captured a VC that had some papers on him that made us suspicious that he was more than just a grunt or a courier. The head native officer questioned him for two days. Finally drew his 45 auto and shot the guy in the right knee cap. After a few moments he asked the VC the same question, no answer, he shot the guy in the left knee cap. Asked the question again and pointed the pistol at the guy's private parts - VC gave the answer. The officer told the VC if he lied to him that they would skin him alive until he was dead. We confirmed the location and called in air. Lots of dead bad guys.

Now I know this sounds like a bad B movie but I saw it with my own two eyes. The key to torture if escalation of fear and an absolute belief that your interrogator will kill you. I think the VC believed that as long as Americans were there he was in no real danger - wrong. As it has been used I am not sure WB meets those criteria in every situation.

[George W. Bush]

The head native officer questioned him for two days.

Not an American officer or enlisted man or intel operative. Vietnamese military policy was their own concern.

For us to have done the same thing would have legitimized torture by the VC against our POWs like John McCain.

No, it's a bad idea. A terrible policy. And it's our soldiers and diplomats and non-uniformed intel operatives who are most likely to pay the price for it.

[gridlock]

So, how did that whole Vietnam adventure work out, anyway...