Torture?

The Senate Intelligence Committee a few days ago released its executive summary of its study of the CIA and its "enhanced interrogation" techniques enacted after 9/11 (and the passage of the Patriot Act).

I'll start with the bad news, first.

One method, known as "rectal feeding," (inserting puree into the colon as a forced feeding and hydration method) was employed on the likes of Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and other detainees. Sometimes, apparently, without medical necessity, which is wrong. A legitimate medical procedure meant for dire situations should never be misused as a tool of torture.

Another sign of abuse of authority is when the families of the detainees were threatened with death or bodily injury.

Another charge is that far too often ( an estimated 20%) were wrongfully detained.
In other words, they were innocent of all relevant charges and were held and interrogated for no good reason.

All of this said, the part that bothered me the most was not that some of our agents went too far, but that some of these techniques did not wield good information. In some cases, they wielded bad information that was of no use at all.

I wanted to make it known that:

1) I support the men and women in the intelligence sphere.
They do amazing work with little to no fanfare.


2) Although it simulates drowning, I believe that waterboarding is not torture.

3) Clear, unambiguous guidelines should be followed when handling and interrogating detainees.

Guidelines that respect both our access to quality intelligence as well as that respect our heritage and values as Americans.

I am not for bringing charges against these individuals, but if lying and deception were used by the CIA when communicating with the White House, DNI, and Senate Intelligence Committee (to obfuscate oversight), the individuals responsible should probably be fired.

May God bless you.