Tag: torture

American Death Squad

As the story of Bush administration’s war crimes comes out in fits and starts, it appears that torture is only one aspect – and not the worst, by any means – of this horrific history. In an interview in mid-March, Seymour Hersh let slip the following: "After 9/11 – I haven’t written about this yet … Continue reading “American Death Squad”

How Many Secret Prisons Does Israel Have?

The United Nations’ watchdog on torture has criticized Israel for refusing to allow inspections at a secret prison, dubbed by critics as "Israel’s Guantanamo Bay," and demanded to know if more such clandestine detention camps are operating. In a report published on Friday, the Committee Against Torture requested that Israel identify the location of the … Continue reading “How Many Secret Prisons Does Israel Have?”

Pelosi’s Torture Stance Is Pure Partisanship

Somebody call me when Nancy Pelosi gets her story straight. So far, the House speaker’s explanation of what and when she knew about the Bush administration’s policy of torturing suspected terrorists is crookeder than Dick Cheney’s smile. Indeed, it has evolved from a straightforward avowal that, with apologies to Sgt. Schultz from Hogan’s Heroes, she … Continue reading “Pelosi’s Torture Stance Is Pure Partisanship”

Rights Groups Slam Bid to Suppress Abuse Pics

President Barack Obama’s decision Wednesday to object to the planned release of photos showing abuse of prisoners in U.S. custody in Iraq and Afghanistan has drawn quiet praise from the military and some in Congress – and outspoken scorn from human rights advocates, a number of legal scholars and religious leaders, and many on the … Continue reading “Rights Groups Slam Bid to Suppress Abuse Pics”

Senate Panel Probes Legality of Torture Memos

"An ethical train wreck" was the phrase used by one witness to describe the legal reasoning behind the Justice Department’s recently released memos justifying the use of waterboarding and other forms of "enhanced interrogation techniques." The phrase came during the testimony of David Luban, a law professor at Georgetown University, before a panel on administrative … Continue reading “Senate Panel Probes Legality of Torture Memos”