The Case For Waterboarding
Vasko Kohlmayer of FrontPageMagazine.com, one of the best web sites on the Internet has this salient piece which makes a very convincing case for why we need to have aggressive interrogation techniques for enemy terror combatants most notably the technique known as “Waterboarding.”
He quotes John McCain:
Discussing his recent compromise with the White House on detention and interrogation of captured terrorists, John McCain said on the Today show that â??there will be no such thing as waterboardingâ?¦You will never see that again. We stood up and said that cannot be done.â??
With all due respect to liberal Republicans such as McCain and Powell, they are exceedingly wrong on this issue. Aside from McCain’s liberal positions on just about every issue (McCain-Feingold, opposition to the Bush Tax Cuts, pro-global warming, McCain-Kennedy “scamnesty,” heading the “Gang of 14,” etc…)I also believe that his position on this issue (to extend Geneva Conventions/Article 3 to enemy combatant-terrorists and oppose agressive interrogation techiniques which could be construed as “inhumane,” “degrading,” or “Physically uncomfortable” reveals why he is not ready for “prime time” as Commander and Chief. Waterboarding has been a vital tool which has played a major role in our ability to gather vital terror intel which has thwarted numerous terror attacks which could have killed tens of thousands of innocent Americans. For anybody who knows what “waterboarding” entails and who continues to oppose it, in my mind, makes that person inelligible to be president of the United States of America in this day and age.
Waterboarding, unlike sleep deprivation or exposure to cold (air-conditioning):
…is fleeting in duration with the actual discomfort lasting seldom more than a couple of minutes. And since a man can be safely deprived of oxygen for at least twice as long, there is almost no risk of long-term harm. The possibility of injury is further reduced by the fact that the procedure calls for no direct physical contact between the subject and his interrogators. Not even as much as pushing or chest slapping is required at any time, making waterboarding one of the safest and least confrontational among interrogation methods. Involving the lowest risk of long-term harm and the least amount of cumulative discomfort, it is also the most humane. Most importantly, it is the most effective.
I am glad that the House passed the president’s Terror Detainee Act enabling interrogators to utilize agressive interrogation techniques such as Waterboarding if necessary to elicit valuble terror related intelligence (often actionable) to thwart future attacks. It has been invaluable in the past. It is good to see that the president and other Republicans in the Congress have stood strong on this issue.
Yet another reminder why time after time regardless of the poll, Americans trust Republicans on national security to the “cut and run” appeasement oriented liberal Democrats.
October 1st, 2006 at 2:35 pm
Exactly, or as a commenter on Tom Maguire’s site said: It’s like comparing the waterboarding of Khalid Sheikh Muhammed with what Ted Kennedy did to Mary Jo Kopechne.
October 1st, 2006 at 8:07 pm
FROM WIKIPEDIA: “When the North Vietnamese discovered his father was the Commander-in-Chief, Pacific Command, (CINCPAC), in charge of all US forces in Vietnam, he was offered a chance to go home, in an effort to embarrass the American military. Senior POWs had ordered there would be no return home unless all POWs were permitted to, and McCain, as did most POWs, followed orders, and refused to be repatriated back to the United States.
McCain signed an anti-American propaganda message which was written in Vietnamese, but did so only as a result of torture (to this day, he cannot raise his arms above his head, due to his two broken shoulders from the severe beatings administered by the North Vietnamese). It is that period during his capture that he most regrets. After McCain signed the initial statement, the Vietnamese decided they could not use it. They tried to force him to sign a second statement. This time, he refused. He received two to three beatings per week because he refused to sign any more statements for his captors.[2]
He was released from captivity in 1973. McCain was reinstated to flight status and became Commanding Officer of VA-174 Hellrazors, the East Coast A-7 Corsair II Navy training squadron. He then became the Navy’s liaison to the Senate. He retired from the Navy in 1981 as a captain. On the same day he watched his father buried next to his grandfather in Arlington National Cemetery. During his military career he received a Silver Star, a Bronze Star, the Legion of Merit, the Purple Heart, and a Distinguished Flying Cross.”
– Just a quick reminder in case people feel the need to pull a “Swift boat vets” type of attack on McCain like was done on Kerry in order to stop him running. Yes, McCain has some very liberal votes and actually doesn’t blindly follow his party, but his views on how we treat prisoners should be listened to very closely because of what he went through. He has earned the right to question our POW policies.
And honestly, did this post really need to have a Mary Jo Kopenche crack added to it. Liberals get trashed, rightly so, for making everything a Bush rant. I am finding that most die hard conservatives are the same, but with Kennedy and the CLintons as the focus on all encompassing hate.
Sorry for the long answer, but the cracking on McCain on this issue just absolutely baffles me.
October 1st, 2006 at 8:07 pm
FROM WIKIPEDIA: “When the North Vietnamese discovered his father was the Commander-in-Chief, Pacific Command, (CINCPAC), in charge of all US forces in Vietnam, he was offered a chance to go home, in an effort to embarrass the American military. Senior POWs had ordered there would be no return home unless all POWs were permitted to, and McCain, as did most POWs, followed orders, and refused to be repatriated back to the United States.
McCain signed an anti-American propaganda message which was written in Vietnamese, but did so only as a result of torture (to this day, he cannot raise his arms above his head, due to his two broken shoulders from the severe beatings administered by the North Vietnamese). It is that period during his capture that he most regrets. After McCain signed the initial statement, the Vietnamese decided they could not use it. They tried to force him to sign a second statement. This time, he refused. He received two to three beatings per week because he refused to sign any more statements for his captors.[2]
He was released from captivity in 1973. McCain was reinstated to flight status and became Commanding Officer of VA-174 Hellrazors, the East Coast A-7 Corsair II Navy training squadron. He then became the Navy’s liaison to the Senate. He retired from the Navy in 1981 as a captain. On the same day he watched his father buried next to his grandfather in Arlington National Cemetery. During his military career he received a Silver Star, a Bronze Star, the Legion of Merit, the Purple Heart, and a Distinguished Flying Cross.”
– Just a quick reminder in case people feel the need to pull a “Swift boat vets” type of attack on McCain like was done on Kerry in order to stop him running. Yes, McCain has some very liberal votes and actually doesn’t blindly follow his party, but his views on how we treat prisoners should be listened to very closely because of what he went through. He has earned the right to question our POW policies.
And honestly, did this post really need to have a Mary Jo Kopenche crack added to it. Liberals get trashed, rightly so, for making everything a Bush rant. I am finding that most die hard conservatives are the same, but with Kennedy and the CLintons as the focus on all encompassing hate.
Sorry for the long answer, but the cracking on McCain on this issue just absolutely baffles me.
October 3rd, 2006 at 12:35 am
To compare John McCain’s military record to John Kerry is an insult to John McCain. John McCain served his country with honor and deserves our respect for doing so.
What I find most distressing is that there are many in this country who cannot have an intellectual difference of opinion with an individual and respect that individual with the differing opinion.
John McCain is now a political figure. His views are shaped by his personal experiance. There is no doubt John McCain was tortured in the truest sense of the word. It is possible that he his not able to look at this issue objectively because of the abuse he endured.
If we as American citizens cannot discuss devisive issues without denegrading those with opposing views then this country no longer is the land of the free and home of the brave.
As for the Mary Jo crack, there is no doubt favoritism is a part of the national press. Look at the headlines in all the national news outlets today. Where is the unbiased indignation? Or more to the point what is the standard that all people are held to regardless of politics, race, sex or nationality. I challange someone to identify that standard.
October 3rd, 2006 at 8:25 am
Free Thought, excellent thoughts. Just want to make sure that you understand I was not comparing Kerry with McCain in terms of their military service. Just wanted to point out that I would find it criminal if the same attacks used on Kerry were used on McCain when he runs (and even if you hate Kerry, he is still a veteran and deserves respect for being over there in the line of fire. I ain’t voting for him, but I do respect him as a front line veteran.)
And you cannot be surprised that conservatives are going to absolutely kill McCain when he runs for president. It is going to be brutal. The country has become so divided that you are either entirely for something or you are evil. Hopefully more people are going to realize this and stop the name calling and actually vote for the person and not just an R or a D in front of their names.
October 3rd, 2006 at 12:26 pm
“For anybody who knows what â??waterboardingâ?ť entails and who continues to oppose it, in my mind, makes that person ineligible to be president of the United States of America in this day and age.”
This is a very disturbing comment.
October 4th, 2006 at 8:33 am
What is “troubling” John is your use of the word “allegedly” when you refer to the “alleged” war on terror. What is more “troubling” John are people like you who, without a shred of evidence, that 9-11 was an “inside job” (Bush and Mosad (the Jews). That is what is “troubling,” not a physical interrogation technique that elicits vital terror intelligence information that saves millions of Americans’ lives.
Gregg
October 4th, 2006 at 4:37 pm
A quick question. What do you consider the limit for interrogation techniques. What is too much?
And I am one of those whackos that am against physical torture. In World War II we could probably have saved thousands of lives by torturing prisoners like the Germans and the Japanese did, but we didn’t. Because we are a civilized nation and were better than that. And we are better than that now. I also have some military thoughts on why it is important not to.
But I can definitely understand the other side. I just disagree, but don’t feel the other side of this argument are evil.
October 4th, 2006 at 6:11 pm
Proof of Bush administration complicity in 9/11 is coming. Just as the revelations of Congressional pedophilia are coming to light, so will the truth behind 9/11. I feel very strongly about this.
Waterboarding is torture and represents the worst of human nature. We should be ashamed and outraged that this has occurred in our name. Further, there is absolutely no proof that waterboarding has saved the lives of millions of Americans.
October 7th, 2006 at 11:32 am
Ok John you let us know when it is revealed that 9-11 was an “inside job.” Were are waiting with baited breath.
As for your comment that:
“Waterboarding is torture and represents the worst of human nature. We should be ashamed and outraged that this has occurred in our name. Further, there is absolutely no proof that waterboarding has saved the lives of millions of Americans.”
No John, sawing American’s heads off “represents the worst of human nature.”
Again, Waterboarding is one of the most humane interrogation techiniques in existence. Had you read the entire article to which I linked you would have known this:
“Waterboarding is fleeting in duration with the actual discomfort lasting seldom more than a couple of minutes. And since a man can be safely deprived of oxygen for at least twice as long, there is almost no risk of long-term harm. The possibility of injury is further reduced by the fact that the procedure calls for no direct physical contact between the subject and his interrogators. Not even as much as pushing or chest slapping is required at any time, making waterboarding one of the safest and least confrontational among interrogation methods. Involving the lowest risk of long-term harm and the least amount of cumulative discomfort, it is also the most humane. Most importantly, it is the most effective.”
How does this technique that “Involv(es) the lowest risk of long-term harm and the least amount of cumulative discomfort, (which) is also the most humane” “representative of the worst of human nature.” as you claim? Please explain John.
As to your claim: “Further, there is absolutely no proof that waterboarding has saved the lives of millions of Americans.”
Again, had you read the article or studied this issue you would have known that it has been among the most effective physical interrogation techiniques utilized in obtaining actionable terror related intelligence. To wit:
Although waterboarding is normally employed as the last resort and the frequency of its use kept secret, it has been made known that so far it has worked every time it has been tried. Thanks to its extraordinary efficacy, we have been able to obtain a great amount of critical intelligence that would have otherwise remained inaccessible. With the help of this information we have captured al-Qaeda operatives, stopped deadly plots, and saved many innocent lives. One of the fruits of Mohammedâ??s confession, to give one example, was the thwarting of a conspiracy to fly an airliner into the Library Tower, the tallest building in Los Angeles. Given these facts, it is almost incomprehensible that there are some people in this country who insist that we relinquish this life-saving tool.”
I guess “some people” refers to you John. Get your facts straight John before making absurd claims about things you know little about. It wastes people’s valuble time. But it is still great entertainment to consistently debunk your specious assertions every time.
Gregg
October 7th, 2006 at 1:12 pm
Gregg, the Library Tower plot, like all the other alleged plots, has been challenged and discredited. You’re likely not aware that numerous intelligence experts were incensed with the president after that charade for “cheapening and politicizing their work” and for creating a “fantasy world”.
“The LA attack plot arose from the same discredited informant who said that Washington and New York financial institutions were being targeted, which led the White House to raise the terror alert right as the 2004 election campaign was beginning.”
http://www.prisonplanet.com/articles/february2006/100206plotasham.htm
Tell me, what’s become of that dreaded airline plot that just so happened to come immediately after Lieberman’s defeat? The answer: nothing. The case against those falsely accused is falling apart. They didn’t even have plane tickets or passports! Further, tell me how the cases against those accused in the Sears Tower and Brooklyn Bridge fantasy plots are coming along.