"And we'll leave the waterboard out for ya."

[captainsblog]

Props to the always-on Tom Bodett, who was one of the panelists on Wait Wait last weekend and who commented thusly on the defense of torture advanced by former Bush flunkies after Obama's release of the previously-classified memos, based on the end justifying the means the quality of the intelligence obtained through the efforts:

It was like accusing a shoplifter of stealing and the shoplifter saying “Well, call it what you want but look at all this great stuff I got.”

Comments

[liddle-oldman.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I laughed at that myself.

The problem is, of course, that the intelligence was usually crap. They were just torturing for the usual real reason -- to exercise power so as to feel less powerless.

[headbanger118.livejournal.com]

I couldn't disagree more, cap'n, but I'm not going to elaborate and read through the 934 comments that would ensue.

[headbanger118.livejournal.com]

Ok, can't stand it: I had to elaborate. Waterboarding is not torture. It's psychological intimidation. Slapping a prisoner in the face is not torture. Sleep deprivation is not torture. Breaking kneecaps with a bat is torture. Hanging people by body parts is torture. Rape with specially trained dogs is torture. Whipping people is torture. And you know what? If Ahmed has to get a little water up his nose to put out information that can save American lives and US troops, I'm ok with that. Ok, let the screaming begin.