The merchants of pain

[Judi Lynn]

Front Page
Dec 5, 2003

The merchants of pain
By Jim Lobe

WASHINGTON - United States companies are exporting millions of dollars worth of equipment known to be used for torture, including selling devices to 12 countries where the US State Department says that the use of torture is "persistent", according to a new report by Amnesty International.

In doing so, the administration of US President George W Bush, which approves the sales, is violating the spirit of its own export policy, adds the report that was released on Tuesday. In 2002, US exports of electro-shock weapons and restraints that can be used for torture amounted to US$14.7 million and $4.4 million respectively, adds the 85-page report titled "The Pain Merchants".

"Although torture is endemic in Saudi Arabia, Smith & Wesson had no qualms about exporting approximately 10,000 leg-irons to Riyadh. And, apparently sharing this lack of concern, the Bush administration approved the sale," said William Schulz, executive director of AIUSA, Amnesty's US branch.

"For decades, human rights groups and the US State Department have documented Saudi Arabia's cruel use of leg-irons and shackles to inflict torture and force confessions," Schulz added. "With this shameful shipment, we can expect the torture of religious minorities and peaceful protestors to continue for years to come." (snip/...)

http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Front_Page/EL05Aa04.html

[kayell]

1. Bump

Damn this is too important to slide down the page. Unfortunately, I am too enveloped in blinding rage to comment.

[R Hickey]

2. I would like to see these devices in a campaign ad about Bush

Democrats should show how these things work on a real person during a TV campaign ad.

[Judi Lynn]

3. I was so focused on the text I didn't notice the illustration

Really, really creepy to hear the news like this, isn't it?

[Dhalgren]

4. This is who we are.

Whenever someone speaks of terrorism, I think of American bombs killing women and children and old people; I think of all of the victims of torture and repression that we are guilty of at least enabling; I think of all of the ill-educated, twisted young people who blithely go off to do the bidding of our nation's masters, and I have to hang my head and admitt - this is who we are.