No headline- Report: Obama Ready to End Harsh Interrogations;shutting down secret black site prisons

[Pirate Smile]

Source: Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Barack Obama is preparing to prohibit the use of waterboarding and harsh interrogation techniques by ordering the CIA to follow military rules for questioning prisoners, according to two U.S. officials familiar with drafts of the plans. The proposal Obama is considering would require all CIA interrogators to follow conduct outlined in the U.S. Army Field Manual, the officials said. The plans would also have the effect of shutting down secret "black site" prisons around the world where the CIA has questioned terror suspects — with all future interrogations taking place inside American military facilities.


Read more: http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5g8-DEMtAE9q4i4ySQ0eV_qZefmRQD95OF0EO0

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Since there isn't an AP headline, I used the one from where I first noticed the story - http://thepage.time.com/2009/01/16/report-obama-ready-to-end-harsh-interrogations/

[Doctor_J]

1. Per our presumptive AG, as of yesterday, we can stop calling it "harsh interogation"

It's torture, and we can start calling it that again.

[kpete]

2. Obama is preparing to prohibit the use of waterboarding and harsh interrogation techniques

Source: Associated Press

AP Top News at 3:33 p.m. EST

2 hours ago

WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Barack Obama is preparing to prohibit the use of waterboarding and harsh interrogation techniques by ordering the CIA to follow military rules for questioning prisoners, according to two U.S. officials familiar with drafts of the plans. The proposal Obama is considering would require all CIA interrogators to follow conduct outlined in the U.S. Army Field Manual, the officials said. The plans would also have the effect of shutting down secret "black site" prisons around the world where the CIA has questioned terror suspects — with all future interrogations taking place inside American military facilities.


Read more: http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5g8-DEMtAE9q4i4ySQ0eV_qZefmRQD95OF0EO0?xid=rss-page

[tularetom]

3. Why does he have to prohibit it - his own AG nominee say it's already illegal

[WriteDown]

4. Waterboarding I'm fine with banning...

loud music and cold rooms, not so much. Hopefully, they will examine each on its on merits.

[Usrename]

6. Sleep deprivation is cruel and unusual punishment.

These enhanced techniques are illegal whenever they are used to coerce someone. It's unAmerican at it's very core. People have rights.

[WriteDown]

7. Sleep deprivation....

I had suitemates in college who played music all night every night at the top volume. One was a center on the football team, the other a linebacker. It was definitely cruel, but I would not term it as college.

[Usrename]

8. Are you saying it's a college prank? I can't parse your post.

Have you ever considered reading anything scientific about how sleep deprivation affects people?

This isn't college. This isn't just loud music. It can be lethal, and it's definitely not something your roomates would have done to you.

[WriteDown]

9. You misunderstand...

I'm okay with loud rap music being played and cold rooms. If that's sleep deprivation than so be it. I'm also fine with letting an "unclean" animal such as a yorkshire terrier run through there rooms.

[pinto]

5. kick

:kick:

[ProgressIn2008]

10. Obama's classified loophole and the secret annex to the manual:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090116/ap_on_go_pr_wh/obama_interrogations

"His advisers are considering adding a classified loophole to the rules that could allow the CIA to use some interrogation methods not specifically authorized by the Pentagon, the officials said. They said the intent is not to use that as an opening for possible use of waterboarding, an interrogation technique that simulates drowning."

I love how it's "his advisers are considering" -- he isn't considering anything, of course.

"The proposed loophole, which could come in the form of a classified annex to the manual, is designed to satisfy intelligence experts who fear that an outright ban of so-called enhanced interrogation techniques would limit the government in obtaining threat information that could save American lives. It would also preserve Obama's flexibility to authorize any interrogation tactics he might deem necessary for national security."

It's our job to keep watch over this process. The Obama administration are public servants who work for us. They'll weasel away with whatever they can and they would be expected to -- no surprise there and I can't fault Obama for doing what pols do. That's his job. It's our job to demand more.