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A Wall Street Journal article last week detailed a Department of Defense memo that discusses the legality of interrogation and torture methods in the wake of events at Abu Ghraib. The document reportedly advises that the president has authority to order almost any action, including physical or psychological torture, despite federal laws to the contrary. … Continue reading “Torture, War, and Presidential Powers”

KABUL – On the flight out of Dubai, an item in the pockets of the passenger seats removes all doubt about the airplane’s destination: along with the laminated sheet detailing aircraft safety procedures is a brochure from the United Nations Landmine Action Service explaining how to avoid death or injury from the explosive devices in … Continue reading “Afghanistan Has Everything but Peace”

MONTREAL – One week from now, seven days before voters take part in one of the closest elections in recent Canadian history, a window will open onto a crime that appalled and captivated people throughout this country and worldwide. But until the inquiry starts June 21 into the case of Maher Arar – a Canadian … Continue reading “Torture and Terror Influence Canadian Election”

Jose Padilla was arrested two years ago at O’Hare International Airport by the FBI on a “material witness” warrant. Padilla was alleged to have met with senior al-Qaeda operatives in Afghanistan and Pakistan, received training in the use of high explosives, and sent back to the United States “to reconnoiter potential sites” for detonating a … Continue reading “Dirty Bomb – Not”

Are we now torturing children? A chill went down my spine as I read an account of a recent talk given by Seymour Hersh at the University of Chicago (via blogger Brad Delong): “He said that after he broke Abu Ghraib people are coming out of the woodwork to tell him this stuff. He said … Continue reading “The Torturers”

How High Does the Abu Ghraib Scandal Go? Thank you for your excellent article. The terrifying and grossly illegal excuse offered by the Defense Department attorneys makes me ashamed of the legal profession – once again. The president’s powers derive SOLELY FROM THE CONSTITUTION of the United States. He cannot derive powers outside the limitations … Continue reading “”

Would Ronald Reagan have invaded Iraq? Would he have declared a doctrine of preventive war to keep any rival nation from rising to where it might challenge us? Would he have crusaded for “world democratic revolution”? Was Reagan the first neoconservative? This claim has been entered in the wake of his death. Yet, it seems … Continue reading “Was Reagan the First Neoconservative?”

I‘ve always liked the restful quiet of an empty classroom. Maybe this is why the large room where we wait to start mealtime duties, here at Pekin Federal Prison, feels comfortably familiar. During breaks, in the dining area, I’ve spent many hours reading, writing, studying Arabic, and staring out the window. Today, looking out the … Continue reading “Requiem for a Son Killed in Iraq”

From Dahr’s weblog: This became a very popular saying in Iraq after the U.S. ousted Saddam Hussein. The situation continues to degrade in occupied Iraq. I know I’m beginning to sound like a broken record … but the need to describe life on the ground here continues, as I see it slipping from the news … Continue reading “‘The Student Is Gone; the Master Has Arrived’”

Here are some basic documents surrounding the Iraq prison abuse scandal at Abu Ghraib and elsewhere: Abu Ghraib Prison Photos (updated June 11) Justice Dept. Memo Justifying Torture, Aug. 1, 2002 (Released June 13) Pentagon Memo Legitimizing Torture from March 6, 2003 (Released June 9) Sworn Statements by Agu Ghraib Detainees (May 22) Video of … Continue reading “Iraq Prison Scandal Resources”