Posted on 08/08/2017 11:53:14 AM PDT by E. Pluribus Unum
Washington (AFP) - Two psychologists who helped design the CIA's post-9/11 detainee interrogation program will stand trial in September for promoting the use of torture methods like water-boarding, starvation and chaining prisoners in extreme stress positions.
Federal judges in Washington state late Monday ordered a lawsuit on behalf of three former detainees -- one of whom died in a CIA prison following harsh interrogation -- to go to a jury trial, rejecting efforts to force a settlement and prevent a full hearing of the case.
The lawsuit, filed by the American Civil Liberties Union on behalf of the ex-detainees, will be the first involving the torture program to go to trial.
The government has headed off previous efforts, citing what is said is a need to protect sensitive intelligence.
The case targets psychologists James Mitchell and Bruce Jessen, who were recruited by the CIA in 2002 to design and help conduct interrogations of war-on-terror suspects captured in Afghanistan and elsewhere.
(Excerpt) Read more at yahoo.com ...
Please note - this appears to be a civil not a criminal trial. It’s still BS, but it doesn’t appear these people have been charged with any crime.
I Wonder what the Administration can do to protect these guys?
In 1977, at Warner Springs SERE I was waterboarded to unconsciousness.
I can testify it IS torture.
There are more than a dozen vets with 50-100% PTSD disability from it as prima facie proof.
Only those who are or have been responsible for its administration claim it is not torture. They HAVE TO. It’s how they avoid criminal prosecution.
That said, I would waterboard a terrorist to death if I thought I could save lives of innocents.
Of course it is a civil trial. Socialists need money.
So we can file a civil suit against the CIA operatives that are going after Trump?
2 psychologists? A poor start.
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Only if you can find an activist Republican judge.
Thanks for your point of view. Most of us don’t really know what it’s like to be on the receiving end of this treatment.
I’m certain that I don’t know.
When described in theory, it sounds less severe than what one expects ISIS or MS-13 type organizations to be doing by comparison.
Effect the permanent disappearance of the ACLU and the Southern Poverty Law Center, for starters.
Khmer Rouge style waterboarding does permanent psychological damage and permanently alters brain chemistry...according to the CIA/DOD’s own testimony to the US Senate.
And it’s not even close to the tame, fun and games you see in the movies.
Every joint of the body strapped to 7/8in plywood board. Ankles, knees, hips, chest, elbows, wrists.
A thick towel soaked in water, folded 3-4 times. It completely covers the face and pins the head firmly to the board. A fist on each side of the head...full body weight on either side of the towel.
Then a water hose pouring onto the towel. For what seems like centuries.
No man can withstand it.
Unless, he knows it’s restricted to 20-30 seconds.
When unrestricted EVERY HUMAN ON THE PLANET would surrender.
The US Navy and CIA proved that conclusively in Warner Springs.
When they did it to me, I was not asked a single question. A LtJG pilot was asked all the questions until I passed out.
I went through USAF SERE in 1980, a few years after you did.
Waterboarding was done but no lasting negative effects. Not torture. No way.
You discipline your mind to handle this and while the effect is striking, it is hardly debilitating if you are trained properly.
What is the link to that statistic?
Sounds good, a John Doe until they are found.
Read my description of it above your post and tell me it was the same waterboarding.
I understand USAF waterboarding is like in the movies.
Post 12 for an alternative point of view.
It was rough but training made quite a difference.
Navy, Marines, Air Force, whatever, you were taught the process and how to resist.
It wasn’t the movies in any form.
This is, quite literally, your bottom line.
And what is the crime for which they are charged - the US Code????
I just read Mitchell’s book enhanced interrogation
Naturally no CIA authorities who approved.
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