Bush Administration Ignored Military's Strong Opposition To Torture Program

[sufrommich]

As early as November 2002, the military was pushing back. The Air Force cited "serious concerns regarding the legality of many of the proposed techniques" because they "may be subject to challenge as failing to meet the requirements outlined in the military order to treat detainees humanely."
The top legal adviser to the Criminal Investigation Task Force weighed in, arguing that the techniques "may subject service members to punitive articles of the ." The "utility and legality of applying certain techniques" was, the lawyer advised, "questionable." Getting more to the point, he added that he couldn't "advocate any action, interrogation or otherwise, that is predicated upon the principle that all is well if the ends justify the means and others are not aware of how we conduct our business."


The Army didn't like it, either. The Army's International and Operational Law Division chief determined that the program "crosses the line of 'humane' treatment" and would "likely be considered maltreatment" under military law and "may violate torture statute." The request to torture was deemed "legally insufficient."


The Navy wanted further review and the Marine Corps expressed "strong reservations," saying the request to torture wasn't "legally sufficient." The proposed techniques "arguably violate federal law, and would expose our service members to possible prosecution."

Despite the broad and deep concerns within the military, Haynes recommended to Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld that the bulk of the practices be approved. On December 2, Rumsfeld signed off, famously scribbling in the margins: "I stand for 8-10 hours a day. Why is standing limited to 4 hours?"

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/04/22/bush-administration-ignor_n_190129.html

[EFerrari]

1. This headline sort of overlooks all the military guys that went with it.

But, it's good that the people who did object get recognized.

[sufrommich]

4. It gives me hope that the military learns it's lessons from

past misdeeds.It's a fine line to walk between operating at the government's request and a full military revolt against the government in power,I'm not sure which is worse.It looks to me like the top brass were attempting to inject some sanity in comparison to the government in this case.

[Adelante]

2. I remember Gen. Clark saying about torture

that all the cruelty in the world wouldn't break the spirit or will, that torture served to make resolve stronger. On a practical level.

[TRUEBELIEVER 66]

3. Of course they ignored it..

Bush-Cheyney TORTURED and blantantly lied about it and coverd it up, just like everything else in his sorry Presidency :mad: no surprise there, i hope there still HELL TO PAY!!