Secret CIA Prison......so what?

[Donald]

There is a story out today that deep within the heavily guarded terrorist prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, there is a secret prison run by the CIA. The prison is used to house and interrogate high-level detainees in the War on Terror. Some of the guests in this prison include Al-Qaeda masterminds, along with other prisoners who have knowledge of the Islamic terror group's inner-workings:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A5918-2004Dec16.html

So what's the problem? Beats me. The implication is that somehow there is something wrong with the CIA having a secret prison. According to various anti-American organizations, we're supposed to treat all prisoners the same, allow visitors, offer free HBO and in general, be nice. Oh...and we can't torture anybody, either. Oh really?

You see, the mere mention of torture might make more than a few of you squirm a bit. But you have to consider the bigger picture. Right now, Al-Qaeda has made it their stated goal to acquire and detonate a nuclear device in an American city. They want to kill millions of innocent people. Now imagine you're a CIA agent, and you have a captured member of Al-Qaeda sitting in front of you. He knows where the bomb will go off, but he won't tell you.

Might you consider a little gentle persuasion down at the secret prison? I thought so. There's something to be said for letting the enemy set the standards for treatment of prisoners, but it's not something we want anyone to lose their heads over.

[Richard Haut]

you will be pleased to hear that a new permanent state-of-the-art prison of the type that you describe is to be built at Guantanamo.

perhaps you could apply for the job - it will need an architect who considers designing torture chambers to be an honorable pursuit.

[Donald]

Your falsifications and hallucinations amuse me RH....and the "pattern" returns even after your short rest. What, didn't they give you enough of a shock treatment in your holding pen???

[Richard Haut]

That's the problem with buildings, Donald - they are rather difficult to hide.

A state-of-the-art prison where torture and murder are - as you have so carefully outlined - to be accepted practice.

You support torture and murder - so why are you getting upset at the idea of a special building being designed for it ?

[Donald]

Islamic Terrorists murder 14 soldiers.

The death toll has been revised downward from yesterday's Islamic terrorist attack in Mosul. Among the dead were 14 American soldiers, 4 U.S. contractors and 3 Iraqi security personnel. Another 72 people were wounded, including 51 soldiers. So what happened?

At about Noon local time the GIs sat down to lunch in their mess tent at Forward Operating Base Marez. It was at that time that bloodthirsty, hate-filled, jihadist Muslims (or as the media prefers, "insurgents") raised their rocket launchers onto their shoulders and fired four rockets at the mess tent. One rocket hit its intended target. Supposedly they recorded video of the attack on the mess tent. If that's the case, you can bet Al-Jazeera will be showing it over and over again.

The Islamic terrorist group Jaish Ansar Al-Sunna claimed responsibility on a website for the murders. These are same vicious insurgents that have also taken responsibility for other attacks, including the beheadings of a Turkish truck driver, a Kurdish official and the killings of 12 Nepalese hostages. This group advocates rule by an strict Islamic theocracy, like the Taliban. In short, they hate freedom and liberty. That's what this is about....and what's it's always been about. The terrorists hate us because of our freedom.

Some will look at this terrorist attack and call for the United States to leave Iraq. On the contrary, it's time to dig in and annihilate these thug's once and for all. We've been being too nice, and we're paying for it with American lives. These Islamo-fascists won't stop attacking our troops until they start to fear retribution. It's about time we provide it.

Still worried about "torture" at Gitmo? I didn't think so.

[Kevin]

Did you follow the information that just came out revealing new breath, depth, and locations of torture by US military staff, at such a level that FBI operatives aware of it were complaining in writing?

Yes, I am "still" worried about torture by anyone, anywhere. Since when does one crime excuse another? Where does that get anyone?

Not only is torture immoral, which I care about, but it is notoriously ineffective, which I'd think you'd care about, Donald, and in the long run acceptance of it endangers everyone. Which everyone should care about.

[Donald]

KM, I hadn't seen any reports that you have alluded to regarding FBI operative reports.... could you lead me to a link or source to back up this most recent story?

If you are interested in the meantime, maybe you might want to read this most recent article by Linda Chavez, that supports the debate over alleged torture as being maybe no more than human discomfort:

http://www.townhall.com/columnists/lindachavez/lc20041201.shtml

To answer your question "where does that (torture) get anyone?".........It could lead to the saving of thousands of lives that it will get anyone...and thats the sole purpose of it....like it during war or not, I support it only in this way.

If such methods are "torture," is the United States justified in using them anyway? The real question should be: "Where do we draw the line between what are admittedly unpleasant, coercive methods used to elicit information that might save lives "

The truth is we are at war with Islamic Terrorists, and by gathering intelligence to save lives by imposing uncomfortable conditions, is one method of gaining in the war on terrorism. In the end, the long run, by not accepting such methods could endanger everyone...here and abroad....by not saving lives that could have been saved.