Liberal Lies - Waterboarding is torture. Truth - Not!

  The only good thing that came out of the OLC memos is the fact that waterboarding is not torture. Liberals have been whining about waterboarding since we first started taking prisoners in the GWOT. What they have negated to tell us all these years is that the exact nature of waterboarding was classified. Those of us that knew what waterboarding was, could not talk about it. Those of us that did not know what waterboarding consisted of, were frustrated as we could not respond.

  The OLC memo's were all about determining what our people could legally use in interrogating detainees and not violate federal and international law.

   Our analysis and conclusions are limited to the specific legal issues we address in this memorandum. We note that we have previously concluded that use of these techniques, subject to the limits and safeguards required by the interrogation program, does not violate the federal prohibition on torture, codified at 18 US,C, §§ 2340-2340A. (1)

You have asked us to address whether certain "enhanced interrogation techniques" employed by the Central Intelligence Agency ("CIA") in the interrogation of high value at Qaeda detainees are consistent with United States obligations under Article 16 of the United Nations Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, Dec, 10, 1984, S, Treaty Doc, No. 100-20, 1465 UNTS. 85 (enteree into force for US. Nov 20, 1994) ("CAT"), We conclude that use of these techniques, subject to tbe CIA's careful screening criteria and limitations and its medical safeguards, is consistent with United States obligations under Article 16,  (1)

  As long as our people used the methods outlined in the memos, they did not violate the laws against torture. What exactly is waterboarding?

13. The "waterboard". In this technique, the detainee is lying on a gurney that is inclined at an angle of 10 to 15 degrees to the horizontal, with the detainee on his back and his head toward the lower end of the gurney. A cloth is placed over the detainee's face and cold water is poured on the cloth from a height of approximately 6 to 8 inches. The wet cloth creates a barrier through which it is difficult - or in some cases not possible - to breathe. A single "application" of water may not last for more than 40 seconds, with the duration of an "application" measured from the moment when water - of whatever quantity - is first poured onto the cloth until the moment the cloth is removed from the subject's face. See August 19 <redacted> Letter at 1. When the time limit is reached, the pouring of water is immediately discontinued and the cloth is removed. We understand that if the detainee makes an effort to defeat the technique (e.g. by twisting his head to the side and breathing out of the corner of his mouth), the interrogator may cup his hands around the detainee's nose and mouth to dam the runoff, in which case it would not be possible for a detainee to breathe during the application of the water. In addition, you have informed us that the technique may be applied in a manner to defeat efforts by the detainee to hold his breath by, for example, beginning an application of water as the detainee is exhaling. Either in the normal application, or where countermeasures are used, we understand that water may enter - and may accumulate in - the detainee's mouth and nasal cavity, preventing him from breathing. Either in the normal application, or where countermeasures are used, we understand that water may enter — and may accumulate in — the detainee’s mouth and nasal cavity, preventing him from breathing. In addition, you have indicated that the detainee as a countermeasure may swallow water, possibly in significant quantities. For that reason; based on advice of medical personnel, the C.I.A. requires that saline solution be used instead of plain water to reduce the possibility of hyponatremia (i.e., reduced concentration of sodium in the blood) if the detainee drinks the water. (2)

  So water is poured over a cloth over the face for up to 40 seconds. The detainee may have water enter his nose or mouth and may swallow some of that water so it has to be saline. Cry me a river.

In this procedure, the individual is bound securely to an inclined bench, which is approximately four feet by seven feet. The individual's feet are generally elevated. A cloth is placed over the forehead and eyes. Water is then applied to the cloth in a controlled manner. As this is done, the cloth is lowered until it covers both the nose and mouth. Once the cloth is saturated and completely covers the mouth and nose, air flow is slightly restricted for 20 to 40 seconds due to the presence of the cloth. This causes an increase in carbon dioxide level in the individual's blood. This increase in the carbon dioxide level stimulates increased effort to breathe. This effort plus the cloth produces the perception of "suffocation and incipient panic," i.e., the perception of drowning. The individual does not breathe any water into his lungs. During those 20 to 40 seconds, water is continuously applied from a height of twelve to twenty-four inches. After this period, the cloth is lifted, and the individual is allowed to breathe unimpeded for three or four full breaths. the sensation of drowning is immediately relieved by the removal of the cloth. The procedure may then be repeated. The water is usually applied from a canteen cup or small watering can with a spout. You have orally informed us that this procedure triggers an automatic physiological sensation of drowning that the individual cannot control even though he may be aware that he is not in fact drowning. You have also orally informed us that it is likely that this procedure would not last more than twenty minutes in any one application. (3)

  Again, water, cloth, face, this time restricted breathing, 20 to 40 seconds. Oh, I am getting verklempt.

  This is not an issue of morals or ethics. It is an issue of law that has been addressed by U.S Federal Code and International Treaties.  We are not addressing some great unquantifiable unknown like say the old argument that liberals are stupid (uneducated) or idiots (incapable of being educated). Although I go with idiots on that argument.

 So no, waterboarding is not torture, nor was it used illegally.

Sincerely,

a Veteran of a 1000 psychic wars.

(1) http://luxmedia.vo.llnwd.net/o10/clients/aclu/olc_05302005_bradbury.pdf  page 1

(2)  http://luxmedia.vo.llnwd.net/o10/clients/aclu/olc_05102005_bradbury46pg.pdf page 13

(3)  http://luxmedia.vo.llnwd.net/o10/clients/aclu/olc_08012002_bybee.pdf page 3 and 4