28 retired generals, admirals urge CIA to abandon harsh interrogation techniques

[babylonsister]

CIA Chief: Hill Should Have Been Told More
Probe of Videotapes May Be Drawn Out

By Walter Pincus
Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, December 13, 2007; Page A02

snip//

The committee also intends to question Deputy Secretary of State John D. Negroponte, who was director of national intelligence when the tapes were destroyed.

One question still to be explored is whether records of the interrogations exist. Senior intelligence officials have said in interviews that no transcripts were made, and Hoekstra said after yesterday's session that "there may not be transcripts."

But he also said that "there is a full explanation of exactly what happened in the interrogation sessions" and that Hayden said "those documents will be made available for the committee to review."

Hayden said that there were "cables that came back from the {interrogation} site." These were messages that are the basis for Hayden's statement last week that "the interrogations had already been exhaustively detailed in written channels," a senior intelligence official said yesterday.

The destruction of the tapes has set off a flurry of activity in federal courts, where several judges had previously ordered the CIA to preserve records related to interrogations. Yesterday, the American Civil Liberties Union filed a motion in federal court in New York seeking a contempt finding against the CIA, alleging that the tape destruction violated a court order in a Freedom of Information Act lawsuit.

Also yesterday, 28 retired generals and admirals wrote to the House and Senate intelligence committees urging them to require the CIA to abandon harsh interrogation techniques. Among the signers were two retired Army generals who investigated the Abu Ghraib detainee abuses in Iraq, Gen. Paul J. Kern and Maj. Gen. Antonio M. Taguba. They called the CIA's secret set of rules "unwise and impractical."

[nightrider767]

1. Thanks Gen's...

Just in the nick of time! Last I checked they stopped the water-boarding two years ago and are now squabbling over who might have to go to jail for it.

You guys are timely as usual.

Not to mention you guys wait to speak up when you're retired, not to think you might have had a little more affect while on active duty.

Medal of Freedom for All! Real AMerican hero's!

Whoopee.

[Javaman]

8. well, you know, time...time...damn it, timing is everything LOL

moron* won't listen to them anyway, they are retired but in morons* pea like brain, he* considers them having jumped ship, so they will only get disdain.

although WE have stopped water boarding, our friendly little countries of rendition more than likely have not.

so these generals can scream and yell, but it won't do a thing. Just more puffery by the puffers.

[AuntPatsy]

11. I understand why most wait until they are retired, fear of losing their jobs, I might not agree

with it but I can understand it, would you do something you knew would result in your loss of income?

Please be honest?

I think that very reason is why justice is taking so long to find a voice, there are many types of fear techniques, finding yourself without shelter could be a very good one to use on someone in order to keep them silent....

[nightrider767]

12. I was never put in that position while on active duty,,,

But yes, it's something every officer must consider. What happens when you see something that you know is wrong and probably illegal, but it's getting the "nod" from the boys upstairs?

There's only one answer to that question, you must speak up, you must say something. Even if it means your career. Look at John Mckane. He stood up against torture when it was not particularly popular.

ALso keep in mind, these fellows might get an early exit from their positions and careers, but as General officers, they had enough time in to collect a retirement. So losing retirement was not a factor.

Would it be a hard thing to do? Incredibly!

But that's what gives all that shiny metal on their chests any kind of meaning.

Courage.

SOmething I see as lacking with these guys....

[malaise]

2. Negroponte and torture

Fits like a hand and glove. He didn't even spare nuns in Central America.

[Javaman]

9. Necroponte. ;) lol nt

[malaise]

10. LOL

:rofl:

[The Stranger]

3. Can someone post the link to this article and the Generals' letter.

I have searched the fucking Post's web site and can't find this. I need it for something important.

Thanks.

[EFerrari]

5. Here's the article:

http://www.philly.com/inquirer/world_us/20071213_CIA_chief__Congress_wasnt_fully_informed_on_tapes.html

[babylonsister]

6. So sorry! I forgot the WaPo link. Here it is though it's the same one

sfexpat2000 linked to:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/12/12/AR2007121202362.html

[Solly Mack]

4. and urge prosecution?

[lovuian]

7. Woohoo Military

:woohoo: