Posted on 01/22/2002 2:04:36 PM PST by Pokey78
THE darkness filled me with fear. The silence was deafening. And the tight manacles made my limbs ache.
But I couldn't shout for help - for under the blacked-out goggles and swathed in a suffocating orange boiler suit, I could not speak, smell, hear or touch.
My 60 minutes as a captive seemed to drag on for ever. But at least I knew I would soon shed the prison clothing and go free, unlike the al-Qaeda suspects locked behind razor wire at the US base in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
Captive: Stephen Moyes
The Mirror yesterday re-created the barbaric conditions in which America is keeping its prisoners - and I wasn't prepared for the shock.
My blindfolded eyes refused to adjust to the dark void that engulfed me. I was instantly disorientated. It was terrifyingly claustrophobic. I couldn't even grope in the dark, for my gloved hands were clamped in metal handcuffs and my arms locked in position.
At first, my degrading uniform just felt uncomfortable, the handcuffs and straps around my head an irritating, numbing pain. But soon it became agonising. I could sense my eyes watering, sweat gathering on my brow. My limbs went dead.
I gasped for air as I tried to breathe through my nose. I told myself not to panic. All I could smell was the nauseating material of the surgical mask. And I knew my moans of discomfort went unheard.
Large ear-muffs ensured that I couldn't hear the faintest sound. Only crouching close to the ground seemed to ease the feeling of total isolation.
With just flip-flops on my feet, I flinched when someone trod on me. I felt utterly alone. I could have been there for 30 minutes - or three hours.
It was a blessed relief when my handcuffs were released at last and my attire removed. The harsh glare of light blinded me. For a few minutes, I didn't know where I was. Conversation deafened me.
But at least I was free - unlike the 100-plus terror suspects now being held in basic conditions at Camp X-ray. Their life must be a living hell.
HOOD
Designed to keep the surgical mask and goggles firmly in place. It also helps to prevent identification between the prisoners. Poor visibility makes escape or an attack on guards a virtual impossibility. Hot and stifling for wearer.
EAR MUFFLERS
These rule out holding a conversation, so no news or ideas can be exchanged between the prisoners. Lack of hearing also causes disorientation and makes it impossible to respond to guards' commands.
BLINDFOLD
With blacked-out goggles, there is no chance to see where other prisoners are or the layout of the jail. They destroy any chance of escape. No eye contact is possible between prisoners. Could harm sight in the long term.
FACE MASK
No chance of men exchanging advice or raising morale. No religious teachings can be passed on. Makes recognition of prisoners difficult. Rules out risk of biting a guard. Causes claustrophobia and could lead to breathing problems.
BOILER SUIT
Stiff all-in-one uniform greatly restricts ease of movement. There are no pockets or zips - which might have been useful to hide weapons. No belt, which could be used as a weapon. Prisoner could overheat, causing exhaustion.
HANDCUFFS
Hands are tightly clamped together to rule out any chance of an attack on guards. Cuffs also prevent writing and hand signs. Objects cannot be picked up or used as missiles. Long periods of use cause bruising or cuts to wrists.
FLIP-FLOPS
Nowhere to hide a weapon. Too flimsy to kick a guard. Unsuitable for running away in. Can cause bruising if not fitted properly.
WHAT A POOFTER!
Jeez... this guy needs to grow some huevos.
Why do I think that this guy would find a $500 hotel suite 'barbaric' if the Taliban were held there? Maybe fine silken linens and warmed bathroom floors are all he can handle in life.
Knowing that in an hour you won't be alive, contrary to this idiot.
My covered eyes refused to adjust to the dark void that engulfed me. I was instantly disorientated. It was terrifyingly claustrophobic. I couldn't even grope in the dark, because the darned thing didn't even have sleeves.
At first, my degrading uniform just felt uncomfortable, the sheer weight of the burka around my head an irritating, numbing pain. But soon it became agonising. I could sense my eyes watering, sweat gathering on my brow. My limbs went dead.
I gasped for air as I tried to breathe through my nose. I told myself not to panic. All I could smell was the nauseating material of the burka, and my own body odor because I wasn't allowed to bathe for 6 years. And I knew my moans of discomfort went unheard.
The burka made it so I couldn't hear the faintest sound. Only crouching close to the ground seemed to ease the feeling of total isolation.
With just flip-flops on my feet, I flinched when someone trod on me. I felt utterly alone. I could have been there for 30 minutes - or three hours.
It was a blessed relief when ... my attire was removed. The harsh glare of light blinded me. For a few minutes, I didn't know where I was. Conversation deafened me.
But at least I was free - unlike the the women in Afghanistan cities yet to be liberated by the United States of America. Their life must be a living hell.
THANK YOU GEORGE W. BUSH, AND THANK YOU KATHELENE HARRIS
He obviously does not have GRAVITAS.
.i could not feel the presence of my friend who had worked next to me for the last five years..i reached but it was as if he had disappeared into thin air.
i struggled to pull air into my lungs but there seemed to be no air, no air, no air and both my heart and lungs would burst. my eyes were blinded--at first by the flash of light which i could not identify, and then by the darkness that followed.
the stench filled my nostrils--gas first, and then the sweet acrid odor.
it did not last long. soon i felt release from the heavy body that held me and it was as if i was lifted on eagles' wings, away, away, away from the shackles of limbs that would no longer move...
Are we certain that this is from the Mirror and not the Onion?
1. We wear a 'boiler suit' 8am to 7pm - otherwise known as a jump suit, made by 'Dickies' and poorly made at that. Hotter than heck, BTW.
2. We wear a @#^&* stinking, sweaty respirator all frigging day because of the fiberglass, solvents, paint and gelcoat fumes. When we are LUCKY and materials permit, we can get by with a surgical/dust mask.
3. We wear #$%^&* nasty-feeling surgical gloves and much nicer leather gloves, all day
4. We wear hot, heavy, steel-toed boots winter and summer, all day.
5. We wear earplugs most of the day because of all the power tools and such.
6. We wear scratched, steamy goggles most of the day, and sweat rolls all over making all headgear quite slimy.
7. We don't have air conditioning or heat and it is hotter than #@%% in summer and colder than a well-digger's butt in winter because we work in a pole barn, or if lucky and weather permits, outside.
8. We get only a short break and no 'calls to prayer.' Nor do we get free health care and fruit loops.
9. We have to wear hats because if we forget someone might drop resin on your head.
10. Flies like some of the sprays we use. A lot. And the ones we have bite.
11. Epoxie putty gets on you and won't wear off for a week- it's like having rocks glued to hairs and skin.
12. Superglue can be just as effective as any handcuffs. Trust me- I accidently glued my thumbs together once, and other times had various fingers stuck together. Ouch...fortunately, after skinning myself, I no longer have thumb prints and am now 20% less likely to be identified by the FBI in a criminal investigation.
13. Kneeling would be a luxury- you should see some of the contorted positions you can be required to get into to paint a mural or install wiring in a fake mastodon's head.
These media types make me absolutely sick to my stomach. Hard to reconcile these limp wristed types with the noble, courageous people who went through the war, isn't it?
Probably not. The truth, however, is irrelevant to these leftist Clymers...
EAR MUFFLERS
disorientation and makes it impossible to respond to guards' commands.
BLINDFOLD
Could harm sight in the long term.
FACE MASK
Causes claustrophobia and could lead to breathing problems.
BOILER SUIT
Prisoner could overheat, causing exhaustion.
HANDCUFFS
Long periods of use cause bruising or cuts to wrists.
FLIP-FLOPS
Can cause bruising if not fitted properly.
I don't get it ... am I supposed to feel pitty for these guys?
bruising? bruising? if not fitted properly.
words just fail me ....
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