“Are you the judge as to that fuzzy line between “enhanced interrogation” and torture?” No.

“Who is?” Congress. They make the laws.

“if we’re going to make it OK to stuff a washcloth in someone’s mouth and force him to confess, let’s allow the police to go back to beating confessions out of a criminal.” Apples and oranges. The police aren’t fighting an openly declared enemy.

However, whether he’s shooting at you or not, John Walker Lindh, is, legally, an American citizen. Doesn’t mean you can’t shoot back at him. And are you the judge as to who’s a REAL American? Are you the judge as to that fuzzy line between “enhanced interrogation” and torture? Who is? The President? If he says something is not torture, does that make it so, regardless of the internationally accepted definition and US law?

I mean, seriously, if we’re going to make it OK to stuff a washcloth in someone’s mouth and force him to confess, let’s allow the police to go back to beating confessions out of a criminal. What’s stopping us? You know he’s guilty. And if he’s not, well, he seemed like a pretty good suspect. Happens all the time. Sorry about that 10 or 20 years out of his life.

Incidentally, two American citizens (including Jose Padilla) were imprisoned without charges or access to a lawyer for several years. Also, John Walker Lindh was initially denied treatment until he confessed. So yes, American citizens have also been abused.

Just to be clear, are you actually in favor of torture/enhanced interrogation? If so, why?

CJ Says:

March 19th, 2008 at 6:37 pm
I’m sorry Doug, when was the last time you (or any other American) was subjected to “enhanced interrogation” that the lawyers are protecting you from?

I’m exposed to enhanced interrogation on a daily basis…”WHY can’t I stay up past 9:00 on a school night?” Did Gammy let YOU stay up late when you were my age?” All the while these creatures are jumping on me, pulling me into every room in the house (except where there sleeping quarters are) and pushing me on the behind trying to lock me in the bathroom! Is that what Doug is talking about? Otherwise, I must not be exposed to it!~ What a joke…thank our lawyers, judges and legislators LOL! HMMM “WARANTLESS” wire-tapping? Okay! By the way Doug…by staying inside I was implying that the protestors would be safer that way…NOT ME! HA! Just FYI to all…we here at the NTC and surrounding areas were not subjected to any protesting! ….by the way, enjoyed the pod cast! It was nice hearing your voice again. Tell the family hello!
Respectfully Signed,
Not Paranoid, just ANNOYED!

Frankly, if I remember the admonishments of our founding fathers, it went something like beware of legislators, judges and lawyers who like to make law and twist the law in order to achieve the ends of their particular group. Further, that they set limited laws within the constitution in order avoid that possibility and limit the powers of these groups because they understood that the base state of man, without law, is totally free. Yet, some laws are required to establish the acceptable boundaries of society, but that laws, and those who seek to use them, are, by nature and intent, meant to restrict freedom.

I do not trust that singular power to anyone nor view their contribution as above the service of our citizens in the military. Literally, they defend our rights with their bodies. You’ll have to pardon me if I see that as a greater and more worthy contribution than scoundrels making, interpreting or practicing law.

To set you straight, no other force on Earth, not even insurgents in Iraq, are powerful enough to threaten our freedom. Only we can give up our freedom. If you want to thank the ones defending our Constitution, drop a line to the lawyers, judges, and legislators defending the Bill of Rights against warrantless wiretapping, “enhanced interrogation”, imprisonment without trial, and every other seizure of your rights taken in the name of national security and helped by your all-consuming fear.