Philip Zelikow , "9/11 Commission Director", speaks out about the TORTURE PROGRAM:
Zelikow, who had access to the supposed intelligence obtained from the “high-value detainees” through torture even before the recent released memos, has written an article in which he dissects the torture program’s failings.
He goes further:
"But the argument that they gave us vital information, which readers can see deployed in the memos just as they were deployed to reassure an uneasy president, is based on a fallacy."
He also points out that the most important point should not be "waterboarding" but the fact that it was a torture program.
"the program developed “interrogation plans” to disorient, abuse, dehumanize, and torment individuals over time".
Among the torture 'techniques" : "attention grasp", "walling," facial slaps, "facial hold," cramped confinement, sleep deprivation, "wall standing", insects placed in a confinement box, waterboarding, and stress positions.
(more on the USA Senate Armed Services Committee Report released on April 21, 2009 HERE)
Zelikow's article points out the role of lawyers in the Torture Program:
"There is an elementary distinction, too often lost, between the moral (and policy) question -- "What should we do?" -- and the legal question: "What can we do?" We live in a policy world too inclined to turn lawyers into surrogate priests granting a form of absolution. "The lawyers say it's OK." Well, not really. They say it might be legal. They don't know about OK."
Zelikow's article HERE
"The OLC "torture memos": thoughts from a dissenter - By Philip Zelikow - 04/21/2009
The recent released reports and documents also reveal the participation of psychiatrists and psychologist in developing the torture program. More on this at:
"Tortured Logic: How Medical Professionals Rationalized the Bush Administration's Torture Program."
a responce to the release of the Senate Armed Forces Committee report on detainee abuse, by Nataniel Raymond, Director of PHR. (HERE)
Zelikow is currently the White Burkett Miller Professor of History at the University of Virginia and was counselor at the Department of State, a deputy to Secretary Rice, from 2005-2007.
