waterboarding is mock execution -- the point isn't to "get info," it's to control subjects

the most terrifying aspect of the waterboarding issue is that we're missing the point about what torture does.

in waterboarding, the victim is led to believe they are going to die. when they are jerked back from death, they are made to believe they owe a debt to the torturer.

waterboarding isn't about getting intel, it's about creating subjects who view the torturer as savior. of course they will say anything, during their torture session. the point is, with mind and body broken, they will also DO anything for their torturers/saviors.

the question that needs to be asked, is how many waterboarding victims have "graduated" into service for the military, Blackwater, etc.

in what capacity are we using post-waterboarding grads?

-noun
the act of inflicting excruciating pain, as punishment or revenge, as a means of getting a confession or information, or for sheer cruelty.



....OR FOR SHEER CRUELTY!!!!

that sounds more like what we are doing.

sheer cruelty is all fine and good on your own damn time -- they are doing something else with waterboarding.

they're getting their jollies on this.

Torture doesn't work as an interrogation technique. Victims will say and do just about anything the torturer wants, in order to stop the pain. So the information obtained under these circumstances is useless.

But it works just fine if you want to terrorize a population (like the British did to Americans during the revolutionary war).

It gets you compliant prisoners, and makes you feel like you are a tough guy while symbolical punishing your enemy through a handful of captives.

It also works to ensure your enemy will fight back, never ever surrender and torture the troops they capture.

It also guarantees that the country using torture is an example of tyranny and shame throughout the world.

Look at all the wonders a Republican government has brought the United States of America. In torture we trust is our new motto.

outward at society. it's useless as an interrogation technique. Bushco and their FReepy friends are getting away with a PR coup when we focus on torture as interrogation. it's "terrorism."

only worse.

it doesn't make sense as an interrogation technique. it doesn't make sense as an out-of-control pasttime. it doesn't make sense that the whole admin would stand behind it if it weren't *mission critical* in some way.

it's social engineering. terrorism.

It's entirely consistent with our control-based society.

:kick: & R