President Authorized Abu Ghraib Torture, FBI email says

[meldroc]

http://newstandardnews.net/content/index.cfm/items/1348

Among a new batch of documents rights groups have forced the gov't to release, a Bureau communication refers to a presidential Executive Order endorsing some forms of torture witnessed at Iraq prison.

Repeated references in an internal FBI email suggest that the president issued a special order to permit some of the more objectionable torture techniques used at Abu Ghraib and other US-run prison facilities around Iraq. The email was among a new batch of FBI documents revealed by civil rights advocates on Monday. Other documents describe the initiation of investigations into alleged incidents of torture and rape at detention facilities in Iraq.

The email, which was obtained by the American Civil Liberties Union, represents the first hard evidence directly connecting the Abu Ghraib prison abuse scandal and the White House. The author of the email, whose name is blanked out but whose title is described as "On Scene Commander -- Baghdad," contains ten explicit mentions of an "Executive Order" that the author said mandated US military personnel to engage in extraordinary interrogation tactics.

...

The specific methods mentioned in the email as having been approved by the unnamed Executive Order and witnessed by FBI agents include sleep deprivation, placing hoods over prisoners’ heads, the use of loud music for sensory overload, stripping detainees naked, forcing captives to stand in so-called "stress positions," and the employment of work dogs. One of the more horrifying tools of intimidation, Army canines were used at the prison to terrorize inmates, as depicted in photos taken inside Abu Ghraib.

It is now official. We're not talking about "a couple bad apple privates" that just went too far and broke the rules. We've already known that the authorization for torture at Abu Ghraib came from high on the chain of command, but now we know how far up - the very top. Bush himself authorized the torture at Abu Ghraib, with an executive order. Bush no longer has clean hands. He can't say "Gawrsh, I told them to not rough up the prizners, but they just wouldn't do what they were told." Somewhere out there is an executive order with Bush's signature on it explicitly stating soldiers are to use these methods on prisoners. Our president is now implicated directly in war crimes.

Now will someone please explain to me why we haven't removed Bush, Cheney and all their cronies from office and shipped them all to the Hague?

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

1. kick. n/t

[MadMaddie]

2. This is a crime that will eventually be prosecuted by the Hague

This administration willfully approved this behavior and crimes.

[Mr. Ected]

7. And Lied to the American People About It.

In case you ever hear Hannity denying that Bush lied. People died.

[Mr. Ected]

3. Kick.

This is the post of the year.

[MadMaddie]

8. And another Kick.

:kick:

[postulater]

4. Strange it is dated 2004.

[stillcool]

11. good eye...thanks for pointing that out...

I suppose one could post just about anything from 2004, and it would seem recent and relevant...so little has changed.

[meldroc]

15. Good point. This article came up on Reddit...

Sometimes, old articles do bubble to the top of Reddit, but sometimes that's a good thing.

The mainstream media seems to have completely buried the fact that authorization for torture came directly from the Oval Office, but the ACLU has all the documents - do some searching at www.aclu.org and you'll see the (heavily redacted) actual memo that mentions this executive order.

[Perky]

21. can you point to a dircet link?

[meldroc]

24. Here's the link to the Reddit story...

http://reddit.com/info/19qin/comments

I also posted links to relevant FBI-provided evidence hosted at ACLU's web site below...

[meldroc]

39. Direct links to FBI documents.

http://www.aclu.org/torturefoia/released/122004.html
http://www.aclu.org/torturefoia/released/010505.html

[electron_blue]

47. Yes, why do you think Cheney defended torture so vigilantly last year?

He knows his has been "out" for awhile.

[DearAbby]

5. K&R

[saracat]

6. And then why is it those soldiers were convicted and not their Boss?

He just let them take the fall.All the fall guys should blow the lid off this thing!

[Amonester]

27. Maybe they "Feel" like they'll get out of jail someday, but if they "Talk"

they could "Feel" like they R not going to live too long in the sense of "afraid they will get suicided" by the Bu$che Family Evil Empire (BFEE)?

Their choice is to stay alive longer even if they have to go to jail for now?

[nadinbrzezinski]

9. Congress isn't violating the GC an impeachable offense?

I know, I know, you need to investigate but Jeesus this guy belongs on the docket at the Hague!

[Venus Dog]

10. Thank you to whoever it was that leaked this

This nails the bastards.

[meldroc]

12. Just to make it clear what Bush authorized:

Abu Ghraib photos (ACHTUNG: GRAPHIC IMAGES!)

[grannylib]

13. I've long wondered whether Chimpy were a mere puppet (an arrogant,

whiny, unelected, unqualified puppet) or if he were really complicit in the filth that has been done during his sorry-assed mis-administration. Guess now I know.

WHEN is it going to be ENOUGH to get RID OF ALL THESE BASTARDS??? How much MORE will it take before EVERYBODY wakes up and says ENOUGH and we try the fuckers for TREASON?

Impeachment is insufficient for the crimes committed by these shameless pretenders and killers and thieves, oh my...the Repubs made impeachment so meaningless with their pursuit of Clinton (not that he was right to lie or to commit adultery) that any effort to impeach Chimpy and Cheney the Dick and the whole cabal will be seen by the ridiculous right as "trying to get even" or some such shit.

No, impeachment is not enough. This is beyond "high crimes and misdemeanors."
They have trashed the Constitution they swore to preserve, protect and defend. They are unworthy of the offices they hold. They are a disgrace to the nation, the world, and humanity.
They are dealers of deception and death in the pursuit of profits and power.

Enough.

[malaise]

14. My only response is

Duh!!!

[fooj]

16. Didn't Sy Hersh say that there were video tapes

filming young children being raped in front of their parents? Where the hell are those? Didn't the courts rule that the tapes must be released?

[bananarepublican]

29. Bush probably had a direct TV link the torture cells! Don't forget he has been...

... quoted as saying that he saw the first plane crash into the WTC before entering the classroom to mesmerize the kiddies with his "My Pet Goat" readings.

Just think, GWB went from a childhood of blowing up frogs to become the Commander in Chief of the United States of America!!! I wonder if he's kept any super-8 films of his 'frog thing' escapades?

[zulchzulu]

17. Well, gee whiz... Bush said he wuz gonna do an in vesta gashun...

http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2004/06/20040626-19.html

"The United States also remains steadfastly committed to upholding the Geneva Conventions, which have been the bedrock of protection in armed conflict for more than 50 years. These Conventions provide important protections designed to reduce human suffering in armed conflict. We expect other nations to treat our service members and civilians in accordance with the Geneva Conventions. Our Armed Forces are committed to complying with them and to holding accountable those in our military who do not.

The American people were horrified by the abuse of detainees at Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq. These acts were wrong. They were inconsistent with our policies and our values as a Nation. I have directed a full accounting for the abuse of the Abu Ghraib detainees, and investigations are underway to review detention operations in Iraq and elsewhere."

He did admit the acts were wrong. That's Step One of finally admitting his sadistic orientation in all things life.

[youngdem]

18. I wish a senator would put forth a bill ending the Hague Invasion Act

That would be a nice shot across the bow.

The cabal should be loaded on a plane - everyone from Bill Kristol to Feith to Rummy on up and sent to the Hague for legal proceedings.

War crimes have been committed with full intention.

America needs to send a message that these thugs don't represent us, or we will all continue to pay.

[lonestarnot]

19. Still vestigatin', only excuse I can offer them.

[Perky]

20. Not to say it is not true but.....

This is a 27 year old article written by an online newpaper that is dontion funded. I find it difficult to believe that theis purported hard hitting journalism was painstaking researched and the sources vetted. You find me the EO they pweak of and I will by this hook line and sinker. but the lack of wuotes even from the ACLU WHO PURPORTEDLY GOT THIS via FOIA seem at best bad journalism and at worst yellow journalism.


I want facts not just opinions and inuendor written as fact.


an Executive Order explicitly authorizing torture wold lead to impeachment.....Thta is why I have two raised eyebrows.

[ninkasi]

22. I'll admit to being older and easily confused...

Which article is 27 years old? Did we even know about Abu Ghraib 27 years ago? I'd appreciate a link with the date of the article you are talking about.

[Perky]

31. oops I meant 27 months

ROFL

[meldroc]

23. Ask and ye shall receive...

Start with the link directly to the ACLU with relevant documents from the Abu Ghraib case:

http://www.aclu.org/torturefoia/released/122004.html
http://www.aclu.org/torturefoia/released/010505.html

Here are some specific documents that mention an Executive Order on authorized interrogation methods...

http://www.aclu.org/torturefoia/released/FBI.121504.4940_4941.pdf
http://www.aclu.org/torturefoia/released/FBI_4938_4941.pdf

And yes, the ACLU got a hold of these documents in late 2004/early 2005, so this isn't exactly hot off the press. It's certainly important not to forget who gave the order...

I don't know if it's possible to find the executive order itself - I suspect it's classified...

[OneBlueSky]

25. a direct and explicit violation of the Geneva Conventions and, therefore, U.S. law . . .

since treaties approved by the Senate do, in fact, become U.S. law . . .

yet more grounds for the impeachment proceedings that are "off the table" . . .

[saltpoint]

26. I'm gonna kick this one too, to remind us that our initial instincts on

George W. Bush being a pathetic liar were correct.

Cue the impeachment proceedings.

[Senator]

28. War Criminal Nation ... or Impeachment

The American People chose which last election.

Now Congress must choose.

There's no longer any fence to sit on.

--

[Solly Mack]

30. Bush constantly - constantly - referred back to "extraordinary interrogation tactics"

and "aggressive interrogation tactics" in speeches and press conferences

He constantly voiced his support of such tactics and he constantly claimed there was a need for such tactics.


Bush was always - always - at the forefront on this


Bush never had clean hands. Never

[donheld]

32. When will it be morning in America?

When will the people of this country wake up?

[Vinca]

33. What, exactly, will it take to get this bunch impeached????

Anyone????

[Roland99]

34. Screw impeachment. Frog-march these bastards down to Gitmo!!!!

:mad:

[B3Nut]

35. Kick. Impeach, Indict, Imprison!

These people need to answer for their crimes. Un-fucking-believable.

Todd in Beerbratistan

[SpiralHawk]

36. "Heh, heh. Smirk, Smirk." - Commander AWOL

"It's amazing the things you learn when you belong to a corrput cabal of republicon cronies."

- Commander AWOL of the Skull & Boner Deserter Brigade

[Blackhatjack]

37. Hello Congress? Anyone over there listening? What more do you need? n/t

[helderheid]

38. OMG OMG OMG

[donkeyotay]

40. Consistent with the whole Unitary Executive theory, the president is the one

who can authorize torture and any thing else he wants in times of war, as the commander in chief, to protect us from the bad guys.

It had to come from the top, no one else has this extraordinary power. Impeach him.

The Army Times said that there were a few bad apples alright, and they were at the top. Meanwhile, some of the soldiers carrying out those policies are in prison.

[newyawker99]

41. xxx

:kick:

[Seabiscuit]

42. Yet another impeachable offense.

A violation of the Geneva Conventions to which we are a party, and therefore also a violation of our Constitution which requires the President to honor all such international treaty obligations.

[proud patriot]

43. IMPEACH

[annabanana]

44. Do the people think the torture stopped just because

we stopped "hearing" about it?

[cassiepriam]

45. This is the part of the job Bush likes. A lot.

Sick SOB.

[Jack Rabbit]

46. Impeach. Indict. Imprison.

Here's What Left

[jazzjunkysue]

48. If Shrub dunked live puppies in boiling oil, they'd still not impeach the

blow monkey.

What kind of patriotic family will support this crap from the so-called christian?

Faith-based torture?

[Kablooie]

49. The emails weren't real.

They were falsified by a computer virus sent to the FBI by the evil Democrats.
All government emails that may be troublesome for the Bush administration were created by this virus.

[TroglodyteScholar]

50. No surprises here, but kicking so we can all see just how right we were... n/t