US psychology body declines to rebuke member in Guantánamo torture case

[Solly Mack]

America’s professional association of psychologists has quietly declined to rebuke one of its members, a retired US army reserve officer, for his role in one of the most brutal interrogations known to have to taken place at Guantánamo Bay, the Guardian has learned.

The decision not to pursue any disciplinary measure against John Leso, a former army reserve major, is the latest case in which someone involved in the post-9/11 torture of detainees has faced no legal or even professional consequences.

Documents that emerged from a Senate armed services committee torture inquiry detailed Leso’s involvement in an early “Behavioral Science Consultation Team” at Guantánamo, which was instrumental in crafting torture techniques out of measures taught to US troops to withstand brutal treatment.

Leso is the latest case in which US officials involved with torture have escaped legal or professional consequences. A justice department investigation into CIA torture resulted in no indictments, and it never considered examining the architects of torture policy. Nor has torture caused its architects to suffer professionally: some have returned to tenured academic positions, awarded federal judgeships and sit on the boards of major corporations.

[bobthedrummer]

1. K&R thanks for starting this thread Solly Mack- remember, "we don't torture"

No touch torture article by Cheryl Welsh (2008)
http://mindjustice.org/wisdom.htm

The insanity thread: A DU collaborative investigation (started 9-26-08)
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x4097260

[Solly Mack]

2. You're welcome, btd. Thanks for adding those links!

I can't forget. I won't allow myself. Strikes me as the cowardly thing to do - to forget...pretend to forget...pretend it didn't happen...pretend it doesn't matter.

[bobthedrummer]

9. Here's a recent (11-4-13) Scott Horton post from Harper's Solly Mack, another kick

The Torture Doctors (by Scott Horton)
http://harpers.org/blog/2013/11/the-torture-doctors-2

and here's a DU thread from 12-26-12 worth reviewing today
Ernst RUDIN became the Third Reich's Psychiatrist and a world leading eugenicist Final Solution med
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10022073542

[Solly Mack]

10. I've read Horton's but not the other. Thanks!

[KoKo]

3. That's disgusting...but, I guess not surprising--these days.

recommend.

[Solly Mack]

4. You're right. It is not surprising.

[Octafish]

5. Torture is patriotic.

And the APA is cowardly.

[Solly Mack]

6. From the way the guilty were rewarded (judge, etc..) that could very well be how many think.

Even if the only reward was keeping their freedom.

[Octafish]

7. I'm getting on in years...

...I've seen the nation change completely from a place where every human life was valued to a country where money trumps peace. From the murder of JFK in Dallas through the wars without end for profit and welfare for banksters and the wealthy, the slide has been steady and unrelenting.

Some live and love and work to stop the slide and turn the tide. Thank you for being one of them, Solly Mack! With enough ripples, it will turn.

[Solly Mack]

8. And for you, Octafish. Thank you for what you do.