Psychologist who developed CIA torture techniques might lose license

[FourScore]

Daily Kos
Psychologist who developed CIA techniques might lose license (UPDATED)
by Christian Dem in NC
Sun Nov 14, 2010 at 01:42:13 PM PST

One of the major players in the development of the CIA's "enhanced interrogation techniques" is fighting for his career. James Mitchell, one of the psychologists who crafted the methods, could lose his license to practice in Texas due to charges of professional misconduct related to the development of the techniques.

Joseph Margulies, a Northwestern University law professor, and Dicky Grigg, an Austin lawyer, worked with a Texas psychologist, Jim L. H. Cox, to bring the complaint, which documents in lurid detail Dr. Mitchell’s role in the questioning of prisoners.

The complaint, which was brought in June, alleges that the doctor misrepresented his qualifications to the C.I.A., placing "his own career and financial aspirations above the safety of others" while designing a "torture regime" with a "complete lack of scientific basis."

Among other things, Mitchell is accused of participating in sessions that involved sexual humiliation and waterboarding. Valtin diaried extensively on Mitchell's activities back in 2009.

The APA has weighed in on this as well. In a statement to the licensing board, the association said that the accusations against Mitchell, if true, would be flagrant violations of APA ethics guidelines and would be grounds for expulsion if he were a member.

Margulies is also seriously considering teeing up Bruce Jensen, the other psychologist involved in crafting the CIA techniques. Jensen is currently licensed in Idaho.

In my view, there has to be some way to get Margulies a medal. Thanks to him, at least one of the major players in this torture fiasco is going to have to answer for it.

Update: Since this made the rec list, I thought I'd provide the snail-mail and fax number for the Texas Board of Psychologists so anyone who wants to weigh in (especially if you're a psychologist or health care worker).

Address: 333 Guadalupe
Tower 2, Room 450
Austin, Texas 78701

Fax: [phone]

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2010/11/14/920558/-Psychologist-who-developed-CIA-techniques-might-lose-license-%28UPDATED%29

[Odin2005]

1. He should be in jail for war crimes.

[Lucian]

2. Good.

He deserves to lose his license.

[EFerrari]

3. He should be in prison.

:kick:

[molly77]

4. Agreed. He should be in prison for war crimes.

[RainDog]

6. so should the lawyers who created the worm holes for torture

the argument that no lawyers would work for the govt if they were held accountable for such actions is so repulsive. if they are going to find ways to pretend our treaty obligations do not matter, they should be in jail. maybe that would keep some of the bigger scum bags out of political life. let them chase ambulances.

the same with this doctor.

[EFerrari]

7. Right on. It's American law, too, in the War Crimes Act.

Military Commissions didn't wipe it out completely.

[Turbineguy]

5. Whoa! Shit!

Consequences.

[Recursion]

8. It's a start NT

[Loki]

9. Why is John Yoo still allowed to teach and practice law?

I think it's time to change that.

[McCamy Taylor]

15. I guess because medical professionals are held to a higher standard than lawyers.

Glad this is finally being done.

[pattmarty]

10. Well let me first say, a psychologist in Texas isn't that an oxymoron?..............

............Then I say good both should not be allowed to practice anywhere, anymore. I hear that McDonalds is in need of assistant managers, they MIGHT be qualified.

[KeyserSoze87]

11. Glad to hear it.

Torture is unconstitutional and is never, EVER justified. It should have no place in our modern, 21st century society.

[jonathan_seer]

12. Drugs like MDMA work better than torture, only sadism explains their demand to torture.

The guys who say it's necessary are sadists. Cheney, his wingnut daughters, the people in the administration all have a sadistic streak they're satisfying by torture.

Doing it personally is not important, because the "power to order it done" is far more intoxicating

It's pretty easy to imagine Cheney n Co. grinning from ear to ear when they learn the results they got were as a result of torture.

This guy who as a psychologist should at least be familiar with a dozen or so drugs that would make extracting accurate info quick and easy.

For example real PURE, medical grade MDMA or xtc was being touted as the ultimate "truth drug" able to overcome all barriers to communication in therapy before it became illegal. (To be clear I AM NOT TALKING ABOUT STREET XTC which is often heavily cut with speed or really just speed. While they are in the same class of drugs, their effects are far different).

It received rave reviews from both the doctors and the patients, because it brought ALL the barriers down, even the invisible ones due to lying to ourselves.

The patients lost all suspicion, and freely shared all their darkest secrets. Even better the effect lasted long after the drug wore off. Patients under xtc experienced a sort of epiphany that stayed with them and kept them happier overall. There were not side effects other than a possible headache or tiredness for a day or two.

Imagine a terrorist dosed with this stuff instead of torturing him for info. His fear would melt away, replaced by a warm trust. Patiently and honestly he'd tell the whole story.

Of course like torture some can resist more than others. In such cases adding in a little bit of a second or third drug that potentiate each other would make resistance futile, because the parts of the brain that make it possible to lie malfunction while under their influence.

I'm sure some will object to forcing someone to take drugs, but considering the only option means torture.....

[eShirl]

18. +1

[Heidi]

13. Fine with me. Abuse of credentials. (nt)

[BetsysGhost]

14. I'd like 20 minutes with that

Son of a Bitch.

[davidwparker]

16. K&R

[olegramps]

17. Dr. James "Mengle" Mitchell