Whitehouse GITMO Torture Psychologist

Sure you get information, but the person being tortured also tells you anything and everything to stop the pain.

I agree with your #1.
However, #2 is not completely correct.
Torture has been used throughout history to extract false information.
In reference to the remainder of your comment--
one of the problems with Humanity is we have always been hypocrites.
We torture because some believe it is an efficient way to get the answers we want.
Torture has never been proven to be efficient. People will say anything to make the pain stop. How do we discern what is truthful and what is just what we want to hear or what we already know?
We have to ask ourselves whether we believe in morality and the humane treatment of our fellow man (who ever that may be) or whether we are just as immoral and inhumane as the people who do us harm.

it is 2011 , that torture in combination with the massive intelligence gathering capabilities currently available in combination with experience and psycho analysis , sure there is always the possibility that the guy is lying but the C.I.A don't just pick randoms and waterboard them.

The C.I.A received more than 50 billion dollars in this years budget , yes we know that there is the possibility that a person is lying but the fact is that the techniques are far more complex in extracting the truth than in days of yore . with the large intelligence community with an excess amount of information psychologists , psychiatrists and new drugs so on and so forth , the techniques of information extraction are more advanced than ever , the C.I.A does not pick up random dudes from villages and start pulling out there toe nails with pliers , they get most of there targets after doing their homework.

The jury is still out about the overall effectiveness of torture amongst experts , but the crucial thing is that we have not been made aware of is how effective has it been in getting crucial information during these last wars , common sense dictates that the resolve of different combatants from different countries are different some stronger some weaker , how fast did the al qaida and taliban soldiers crack under pressure.

As a nation one thing that has been problematic is that as time progresses the morality of the nation changes as people's feelings do , without an established moral code for all by americans for all humanity whether they live with in the confines of american borders or not , whether they carry an american passport or not any decisions by the people on morals in time of war will only be temporary.

As long as america is a superpower in times of fear and despair like 9/11 established beliefs can easily be altered and or comprimsed and because the nation is so powerful it literally does not have to answer to anyone such things shall continue in the future especially when you have a secret agency (CIA) who's activities are largely classified.

I dont think its about asking ourselves whether or not we believe in morality , the question is what are our morals and what are the exceptions to the rules.

The truth is if you went around america you'd get a lot of different answers.

You are forgetting the interplay of political goals of the leaders and torture. You said get the information you want. Exactly not the truth but the information you want. You can tell all the truth you want but if that is not the answer they want the pain does not stop.

Torture is a "very effective tool" but has nothing to do with with truth or justice. At least the Catholics thought that confession is good for the soul and that they were helping the tortured into paradise in the next life even if they had to lie to get there.

So torture works? Well how about I torture you about your involvement in the JFK assassination? I bet after 3 or 4 weeks you will tell me how you helped the killer. And how sorry you are that you helped. I give you a rating of non compos mentis.

I agree with that. Who wouldn't want the pain to stop??

there is a difference in getting someone to confess something they didnt do and getting someone to give troop locations and weapons dumps and locations of key al-qaida/taliban members , if a tortured subject gives up the location of a al-qaida weapons dump and you go there and see surface to rocket missles than you know he was telling the truth.

To act as if torture does not work any of the time is stupid , whether you like it or not it gets results , even if only 1/3 of subjects gave up any form of valuable information thats still results.

The U.S knows that torture is illegal in the international realm , so they downplay there efforts or not report incidents at all , when was the last time you heard a C.I.A agent go down for torturing someone , they only throw a couple army officers to the wolves once in a while in that regard.

You are strictly coming from the perspective that these the govt is looking of people to torture to confess to things for political reasons , but the problem with that theory is that if the govt was attempting to make that political move than they would not have those guys rotting away in guantanamo without trials quietly trying to see if countries would take them after guantanamo shuts down.

You are also under the impression that the methodology is the same push till he cant take no more than push some more , which may not be necessarily true.

Im not saying torture is right , im saying its wrong , but to act as if the possibility of it working to get results is just plain myth is foolish.

"A statement made by Admiral Dennis Blair, president Barrack Obama's director of national intelligence, states that "[h]igh value information came from [CIA] interrogations in which [CIA interrogation] methods were used and provided a deeper understanding of the al Qaeda organization that was attacking this country" (Disaster). Interrogators at Guantanamo Bay are from the CIA and help stop terrorist activities against the United States. According to the current CIA director Leon Panetta, "[i]mportant information was gathered from these detainees. [The CIA program] provided information that was acted upon" (Disaster). This intelligence gathered at Guantanamo Bay has been used to help the United States combat terrorist organizations such as al-Qaeda in Iraq and Afghanistan and is needed to keep the United States safe. According to President Obama's homeland security advisor, John Brennan, "enhanced interrogation techniques ‘were necessary to keep America safe'." When asked, "[w]ould the U.S. be handicapped if the CIA was not, in fact, able to carry out these types of detention and debriefing activities? ‘[John Brennan replied] yes'." (Disaster)."

http://www.debate.org/debates/Guantanamo-Bay-pro-argues-for-it-con-against-it/1/

my comment to letsliveinpeace below is also a reply to your comment as well

You can stop talking now. Your name is on my list as another enemy of humanity.

As a matter of fact, it is extremely ineffective at extracting information. The victims will say what the torturers want them to say and not give accurate information, if they have any. Torture has never saved lives.

Just five out of over 62 million hits - I advise you to read all five of them so that you can free yourself of the delusion that torture works and saves lives, Leon Panetta's, John Brennan's and Admiral Dennis Blair's lies notwithstanding:

http://georgewashington2.blogspot.com/2009/04/top-interrogation-experts-say-tort...

http://www.thedailybeast.com/blogs-and-stories/2009-04-20/torture-doesnt-work/

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A2302-2005Jan11.html

http://www.newsweek.com/2009/09/21/the-tortured-brain.html

http://www.alternet.org/rights/28585/

There is a reason that General George Washington refused to torture in spite of the what the British was doing at the time, and there is a reason that the Nazis lost in in World War II, that the Kmer Rouge is no longer in power, that Pinochet eventually was held accountable, that the Apartheid fell in South Africa. Torture is the strategy of a loser. I just never wanted to see the US lose that way. It is still my home, and I am proud of the times we stepped up to the edge of disaster and then stepped back. I am afraid that We/you/they cannot step back this time. Has the US lost its soul, will it collapse under the weight of its own guilt?

There is another US that I want to believe in, not one that in desperation of its own failure descends into the same pit the the Kmer Rouge and Germany did. I am proud of many things about the US but this is not one of them.

Are you proud of torture? Do you believe there are just some things which you cannot do with out losing everything you value and love? If torture isn't one of those things what is left?

This is pure bullshit. These mean spirited people are always looking for rationalizing their inhumanity. Torture does not work and even if it did, it is not who we are. I would rather die in a terrorist attack than think that our country stands for unjust treatment of others.

"When we adopt the tactics of our enemy in order to subdue him, he has already won" --attributed to James Madison

Did you check your humanity at the door? Let's torture everyone and if we only get 1/3 to give us good information it was worth it! That is your opinion carried to its end conclusion but for the sake of argument -- let's do it. We start with YOU and all the people you care for.

The very definition of evil is a lack of empathy for others. The good news for you is ... empathy is learnable.

Somehow, I don't think you listened properly to that video - he is saying that torture does not work. Try to listen again, and pay close attention to what he says.

I meant to send it to GeneralNatty . . . my bad Vierotchka. Thanks for your patience with an old man!

yeah, you forgot one other very important reality:

3. It has made too many of us ashamed of our country and our so-called leaders.

How would the insane know such a thing, let alone be able to make the distinction. Take your lithium now, Debra.

Damn you you stole my comment! LOL

You need to stop stalking me and personally insulting me or I am going to have to report you.

LMAO!!!

Since when is psychiatry a real science?

I think you (Debra_) should be the one afraid of being reported!

I agree. How does this guy rate as a respected member of the psychiatric community? Torture is the new accepted norm? Alrighty then.

He's not a member of the psychiatrist community since he's just a psychologist.

For what purpose? What evidence do you have that the charges are untrue?

Thanks for the update. It's good to know. I take exception to your "obama haters" remark. I do not hate the president. The fact that this was believable shows that the Obama administration has not lived up to its promises. I voted for Obama because I believed he would change the mistakes of the prior administration, not continue them.

He has let me down but I do not hate him.

Kudos. Voted up.

Thanks for posting the update.
Looks like someone is lying.
Hopefully we will discover the truth soon.
If that is at all possible.

Thanks Moodyblue.
I agree. I definitely don't hate Obama.
Some things he's done have let me down too.
No one is perfect. Even those with the best of intentions tend to stray sometimes.
It is our job as citizens to keep an eye on him and everyone else in Government.

WOW! kick butt buddy!

Being critical of Obama does not make one a "hater." I too voted for him but he has not lived up to his promise. I will not vote for him again but I do not hate him. He is just not courageous enough or bold enough, or determined enough. He manages from the shadows and does not lead from the front. Big difference. He lacks leadership skills that make people want to follow. He is the Poet President ... all talk, little action and has inspired few.

Only the racist and bigots and birthers hate him and they have from the very beginning.

ROFL +^'d

Well Sam. On this one I'm right here with you.

WTF!!!

Ever heard of the Bilderberg Group??? BO is doing as he is told....

Just another tool?

Perhaps, if we are speaking of the same thing... Did you google what I mentioned to you?

Perhaps, If we are speaking of the same thing, did you look it up?

I did not google them. I am familiar with Bilderberg Group, the Bohemian Grove etc. and you very well could be correct.

To be Honest I hope I am Wrong, but it all adds up. =(

Sounds just like my 47 days in Ward 7/8 in Napa state hospital, it was brutal! The Nazi Doctors they have hiding there routinely poison patients, I'm living proof!

Thanks i agree.

Psychologists do not take the Hippocratic Oath since they are not medical doctors. Psychiatrists, on the other hand, do take that oath.

Thanks for the clarification. I was probably more accurate about him taking the "hypocratic" oath. LOL! He certainly qualifies as that. I did go ahead and correct my spelling in my post. The very least these "professionals" should do is promise to do no harm.

Perhaps he took the hypocrisy oath...

LOL! Sure seems like it.

Obama is the Poet President. He talks a good story but he has demonstrated time and again that he can not or will not walk the walk. I do not care who he runs against, he will not get my vote again and I have sent a note to the White House stating that very thing. If the Democrats had any balls/ovaries, they would put up a primary battle for 2012. But alas, they will not because winning is more important than the traditional values that democrats have stood for in the past 5 or 6 decades. They have sold the left out for what they think is power and look what it has gotten us.

My vote will go to whomever stands for and ACTS in the best interest of the people, although I think we are past the point of any effectiveness at the ballot box. If there are no candidates that hold those values then I will not waste my time voting for a broken and unjust system.

=======
"Always vote for principle, though you may vote alone, you may cherish the sweetest reflection that your vote is never lost."-- John Quincy Adams, 6th President of the United States [Federalist]

I know what you mean.
It's difficult to understand where Obama is going on this issue.
Our Military has enough to deal with without bringing in an overseer of torture.

I will vote for Obama. The republicans as of yet don't have anyone i would vote for and I will never give up my vote.

It always amazes me that we live in a world of 400 choices for breakfast cereals and 1000 Cable channels yet we MUST choose from only two political candidates. Doesn't that ever spark in your mind that the system is rigged to make us all think we are actually making a choice?

Obama is for torturing people, for surveillance without warrants, for extraordinary rendition, for GITMO, for endless wars, for secrecy in government, for continued discrimination against gays and lesbians [DADT is still the law, not matter how much the media has ignored it or spin the White House has put on it] .... the list of betrayals goes on and on. I will not vote for anyone who supports these issues, and neither should anyone who believes in social and economic justice. It just gives credibility to a broken and corrupted system.

I will write in Kucinich, or Bill Maher, or Nader, or Olbermann or Maddow or Bill Moyers but never again will Obama see my vote. He, like many in the Democratic Party, does not have the backbone to stand and fight these right wing money grubbing elitist bastards. They need to be sent the message of produce or perish. Hell I might even write in Stephen Colbert or Jon Stewart just for laughs. Obama had his chance; he blew it BIG TIME and now he can be relegated to the dustbin of history; a wannabe great president that did not have the courage of his spoken convictions.

President Obama did not torture at Gitmo. That was George Bush. Obama ordered all torture ended at gitmo.Thanks to Obama DADT passed in congress . As soon as the military puts it in effect it is gone. Perhaps they have already done this. I will have to research. This was durning the Lame Duck. He did an executive order to close gitmo. It'a matter of where to put them and hold there trial. I could list you many things he did, but you probably wouldn't believe . All the republican filibusters kept from a lot. And it's only been two years. Give him time. Nothing gets done quickly in congress.If you just write in a name, you might as well not vote.

Water boarding, wrong, still doing it as well as extraordinary rendition. DADT, wrong, smoke and mirrors, not yet certified and will not go into effect for 60 days beyond that -- no indication when that will happen. DoD dragging feet but the media is silent so many think it is in effect -- it is not. What are they waiting for? Close Gitmo, wrong, did another Exec order just last week and he will not be closing Gitmo. You missed that one because you do not want to hear any criticisms of your champion. Obama is not a bad man, just not strong enough or determined enough to get the job done. So you keep on holding your breathe but you will turn blue before this country does under Barry's watch.

You are not reading what I said. I am not anti Obama like the right wingers who come in here. I voted for him in 2008. He has done some things but not the things that are important enough to make any real change. I will say this again, HE HAS NOT DONE ANYTHING THAT WILL MAKE ANY REAL DIFFERENCE. It is more of the same. GWBush's third term.

The latest change in the wrong direction is they want to weaken the Miranda law for 'detainees" Do you understand what that means? Under the Patriot Act, recently extended under Obama, YOU or I can be detained, based on secret 'evidence', without charge, without habeas corpus, without Miranda warnings, INDEFINITELY. Do you understand the significance of that? Oh yeah, and they can put you in a room naked, without sheets, pillows, blankets and force you to sleep on a concrete block, with music blaring and lights on all night, all day, without any human contact except for guards who give you conflicting orders demanding that you follow them. This is happening right now to Bradley Manning under Obama's watch. Does this sound like justice to you?

I don't care if he turns water into wine next year. As long as these injustices are continuing, he does not get my vote.

You have this blind faith in voting every four years yet want to give him all four years to get anything done. You apparently want to believe -- so did I but not longer. Sounds to me like you are a confirmed Democrat. The Democrats offer no real hope -- addicted to the corporate money teat just like the Republican Party.

You must be young. You need to open your eyes friend. Put your vote into principles not parties or poets presidents.

And no vote is not the same as a proxy vote. Apathy is not the same as defiance. I understand that it will not count for much, but it will count as much as your single vote will make any change in the direction the country is going.

Wrong, 1-29-09 excutive order to close gitmo which also prohibited end coercive interrogation. Requires CIA to follow same rules as military in interrogating terrorism suspects.Millitary book of rules. Congress refused funding for prison in Illinois, restricted funding for Military to bring immates to Us.
Wrong, no executive order to keep at gitmo. Didn't know congress could do anything stop excutive order.
Wrong, 12-22-10 signed bill to end DADT. On 2-11 Gates ordered Pentagon officials start training process. Don't know why need training. Bet troops knew they had gays with them.
Wrong, When refering to Manning The Patriot act is not under mililitary law. They can detain as long as want. IF WHAT WE hear about Manning is true I agree. We do not know what is true or not, but the military does have harsher rules then state prisons.This was true before Patriot Act. Can you prove Manning is treated as bad as they say?

He has done a lot in two years. No I don't exspect the president to get all done that was left him in that time. Yes, we voted him in for four yrs. I expect him to get much more done, if the new republican house would give a little. Can you name me a president that has kept all promises?

Yes, I am a democrat that stands by the president I voted for. Republicans have always been for the wealthy, democrats for the middle class. I do believe. Did you ever think that in another term he could do great things? Especially if we regain the house.

As Frank Sinatra sang, Young At Heart. I've been through a few presidents.

My single vote will overcome your write in vote. Perhaps you will change your mind by 2012. I will hope so. Keep believing my friend, In the long run you may be proud of him!

I think there is room to disagree on some issues but your vote will not overcome my write in. I have been disenfranchised for many years, living in South Carolina and now in Kansas, both hopelessly red states. I have no illusions that my vote will 'count' for nothing at the national level because all electoral votes will go Republican. The only statement that I can make is that I believe that neither Republicans or Democrats represent the people any longer. Both are bought and paid for by corporate interests. We are past the time when a vote counted and it is naive to think otherwise.

Time will be the judge. As I stated --

We are still water boarding, perhaps not at Gitmo, but we are still water boarding in dark secret corners under the rubric of extraordinary rendition -- an evil concept from the start. A step in the right direction would be for Obama to stop extraordinary rendition.

We are not closing Gitmo. Watch and learn. I most sincerely hope I am wrong on this.

A year from now, I hope DADT is in the past but I am not holding my breath while the DoD drags it's feet. I most sincerely hope I am wrong on this as well.

I agree that the Patriot Act is not under military law. But I have done a few courts-martial myself and manning's pre-trial confinement is illegal. Under the UCMJ, you can not hold in pre-trial confinement without charges and once charges are brought [just this last week] you have only 120 days to bring to trial. Under what authority was Manning held for the past 8 months? Renewal of the Patriot Act itself is cause for non-support of Obama. A step toward supporting Constitutional civil liberties would be to repeal or non-enforcement of the Patriot Act. Let him be bold and not timid in this area and I might change my mind.

Can I prove that Manning is being mistreated you ask. It has been reported by reputable sources. Can you say otherwise? Are you saying he is being treated justly?

This is the second time you claim Obama has done many things good without listing them. My point is has he done anything that really changes anything? What are they? List them and explain why they make a difference now.

I think you like others are blinded by your faith in the Democratic Party. You say ... a second term and marvelous things will happen, especially if we regain the House. We had Obama 2008-2010 with the House and Senate and what did we get? Does a truck have to run you over before you see that the Democrats caved in at every turn --especially in the Senate. Hats off to Pelosi for the number of legislative bills she got through but without the Senate, results are minimal. If Obama could not do it in the first two years with both house and Senate, you are dreaming that he will do it later, hoping against hope. Time for hoping is over.

It will just be more of the same -- more time lost. Meanwhile the country moves to the right everyday and nothing Democrats are willing to do is stopping it. In fact, they want to compromise with the devil and meet them [Reps] half way, even though the half way mark has moved significantly into right wing territory.

No sir, we can no longer hope for change. Voting is passive. We need to act for change. I think you are mistaken in your faith in the system but I also hope that I am dead wrong. In the meantime, I must work outside the system by protest, resistance, and refusal to support those things that my conscience tells me are unjust. Obama has not eliminate injustice but in fact continues to support it. There is no compromise with injustice and as long as the Democrats are willing to go along with such things, they do not have my support.

"Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere." --Martin Luther King, Jr.

It has not been acted on because congress will not fund a prison to keep them untill trial. I would rather they be tried in civilian court but this has not worked either. No one once to do this. So military court may have to be the answer. I know he doesn't want this but hopefully something will be done.

I think you should not be disenfranchised. Even in a red state your vote could count, depending on other voters. Ohio has mostly been a red state but in 2008 Obama won the state, After what our new republican govenor has done he may win it again. I will not take a chance on putting a republican president in office. Obama has my vote.
I believe democrates are more for the middle class, not as much for corporate interest, not that some will disapoint me.Yes, time will tell.

If water boarding is in deep corners I am not aware of that. At this moment congress will not stop extraordinary rendition. I hope you are wrong about gitmo. If not in this term, perhaps in the next. I know he doesn't like to give up.I belive strongly that DADT will be gone by next year. It's the right thing to do.

What the truth is about Manning I only know what I hear. The president talked to them and is assured he is being treated well. Even if he would go or send someone, I know how that works. When company comes you clean house.He will not be able to get the Patriot Act overturned.Repealing a law is an act of congress. At least not without the votes. I am saying I don't know how Manning is being treated.Hopefully not as bad as is reported. I cannot prove this and I don't believe you can. I do have faith in the democratic party.

I say a second term with the house he may do great things. In the first year there is much to learn. Yes in the senate some dems let there president down. In a second term he won't need to worry about them and republicans or an other term. At the moment he is in Libya with some of his party against him, but he did what he believed without there support.

Yes some democrates let him down in 2008--2010. This did not stop him from fighting. Pelosi is not well liked but she knew how to get the votes she needed. Perhaps I'm dreaming but I believe enough to give him my vote. I cannot change your mind but I only do this to try. I am not tired of fighting for him yet

I will do the list you asked of me. At least a partial one. It will or may show up tonight if this sight is kept up by current. I keep it in favorites You speak quite well but my mind is made up .If this sight is gone, put in my inbox where to put it.

1. Health care. Needed for millions that don't have it. Prefered Public Option, but not enough votes. Good things in bill.
2. Tax cuts 3.5 million to small bussiness to help pay health care.
3. Increased funding violence against women,
4. Expended Hate Crime bill
5. Cut perscription cost for seniors, Medicare.
6. Signed Weapons Systems Acquisition Reform act. Stop wastefull spending in defense
7. Executive Order on government contracting to fight waste.
8. Signed American Recovery Reinvestment Act---Help families quality child care, Act boostsfamily income expending Child tax credit. broad range tax cut making tax code fair middle class.
7. Stem Cell Research that may find cures for diease.
8. The Recovery Act--improve services to Veterans and medical facilities.
9. 95% working families got tax cut millions families out of poverty. more to spend for economy. 1 million jobs created or saved by these taxes. $250 to seniors.
10. Executive Order commiting government to lead by example and reduce greenhouse gas, green house gas emission standards for cars and trucks.
11. Save car Industry and all that depended on them. Car sales up. Cash for clunckers.Most of loan paid back.
12. Invest in teachers rewards and incentive to keep talented teachers.Invest in education --importand for future.
13. Payroll tax cut, renewed unemployment benifits.
14. Signed Lilly Ledbetter Act. protection against discrimination of pay for women and other workers.
15. Memortandum expending federal benifits for same sex partners.
16. Expended access to employment by having federal government by hiring people with disabilities.
17. SignedAmerican Recovery and Reinvestment Act. which responsibe for about 3 million jobs bringing economy back from brink of depression.
18. Signed Wall Street Reform most sweeping since depression.
19. Signed Small Bussiness Jobs Act providing tax breaks and better access tofor credit.
20. Signed Hire Act providing payroll tax credit companies that hire people looking for work for 60 days or more.
21. President Andrew Johnson was impeached but not convicted because of one vote.
22. Thomas Jefferson elected by one vote in House of Rep. after tie in electoral college.
23 100,000 troops out of Iraq. Combat done. Winding down by end year.

Mostly a list of what Congress did, not what he pushed hard. The credit for the majority of this stuff goes to Pelosi not Obama. Many are one time things or will expire shortly and not be renewed. The health Care Bill doesn't even kick in until 2014 -- what the hell! Who knows what the country will look like then. Costs are going up daily - people are dying and going bankrupt now!

Mostly small effect or none like #14 Lilly Ledbetter Act- so full of loop-holes that it will never get equal pay for most women.

Some just fluff. like #18 Wall Street Reform. It will change nothing.

Some are smoke and mirrors -- Such as #23. 50,000 still there and what is NEVER reported over 100,000 contractors! We now have a mercenary army in most of these foreign wars. In Afghanistan it is 2:1. Listen carefully to the words that are used -- military pull out vice Americans or contractors.

Some may not be good at all like #13. Payroll Tax cut -- who is going to end this one. So now we pay LESS into Social Security and so do employers makes the future short fall come a little earlier than planned. This is a foothold to privatize Social Security. Once it is gone, it will never come back.

I think we may have the same goals, just difference tactics and commitments. I am not devoted to any Democrat. I am committed to social and economic justice. Obama is not strong enough to get the real stuff done -- Cut the Defense Budget, Get out of war making, close down Gitmo, Stop Military Tribunals, Real Wall Street Reform, Real Tax Reform, Restore real civil liberties to all women and gays, No more rendition, no more torture, no more secrecy in government, hold the criminal Bush administration accountable, Stop corporations having personhood, Stop gerrymandering of congressional districts, get rid of the Electoral college, Real Health care Reform, [Public Option] not the give away to insurance companies that we got. etc.

Saw him speak tonight -- same old military adventure garbage. There is a limit to the 'humanitarian militarism and the question why Libya was never answered. Why not Sudan, or the Congo, or ivory Coast -- all of them in the middle of wars of genocide as I type and we are not interested. No multinational corporation oil is the reason. He is being played like a $5 banjo or he is trying to distract us. We will NEVER cut the Defense budged playing this military solution game. It has got to stop!

But we are on the same side. As I said, I hope I am wrong but my vote will not count to elect, only to send a message. The message is, Obama is NOT strong enough to get it done.

We either have faith in our court system or we admit that justice is no longer a goal. The fact is we can't try some of them because we tortured them. But going to military tribunals is NOT the answer. Hell Germany didn't even do that! It gives the military power over civilians -- not in my constitution. It implies we are under a state of martial law my friend. Wake up and smell the jack boots on our necks. It is a bad decision, it is an unjust decision and I will not support it - ever. there is no justification for trying civilians in military courts unless we are under martial law. If so, they can put me in jail now for I will resist it, I will protest it and as Thoreau stated in "Civil Disobedience" ... Under a government which imprisons any unjustly, the true place for a just man is also a prison.

I see a trend in your answers. When something gets passed - it is all Obamas doing. When it fails, it is congress at fault. He makes policy in the Executive Branch and he could do more but he defers to others. Weak leadership. Frankly I don't trust anyone who can not show any passion for what he professes to believe in.

I don't know how to add a website or picture. As I was finished there were 4 pictures of the president. I don't know where they came from, but clicked on one, hit submit and the picture was there. Thought it was neat. Where did they come from? If you click on picture whitehouse.gov comes up NEAT!

They loaded from the website you posted. I found that out the same way!

No problem on spelling sir. I make the same mistakes if I don't proof read carefully.

I like the man personally but I just don't think he is a strong enough leader. Like Harry Reid, he caves in much too easy. I was hoping for a Harry Truman this time around. Fire in the belly President. Instead we got Mr. Rogers. Good man but the Reps. walk all over him.

Yes, but Harry Truman is also the first and only president to drop a nuke. I guess time will tell how strong or weak he will be. On the news they said he would announce if he is running again in the next three weeks. That never crossed my mind. I hope he's not going to let me down. I do wish the republicans would stop the birther and muslim. If this dirt is the only way they can beat him I will really be disappointed.

Excellent point on the Nuke. One has to wonder if he really understood the significance. Even some of the scientists did not know what would happen during the Alamogordo test...and they detonated it anyway! That kind of brilliance we don't need.

Thanks. Now we agree on a little more. Vote B.O. Ha!!!

Bush/Cheney opened this Pandora's box and Obama refused to close it. And now look what we have.

Now the precedence has been set by two presidents. What do you think the chances are of ever going back to a non-torturing policy. Next will come torturing of criminal suspects ... then eventually the justification for torturing political prisoners. History will not be kind to Obama for failing to right this outrageous attack on civil liberties.

It is not to late but alas the political will of the people is not there. Only when the law abiding middle class starts to loss their own to the criminal injustice system will the call to arms be great; and by that time the military will probably be deployed on domestic grounds.

The people get the government they deserve. I am at a loss as to how to reverse this administrations acceptance of the status quo. It was not what they campaigned on.

No, it certainly wasn't what they campaigned on, treewolf. Every time I read another story like this, it saddens me even more.

Agreed, but, much like most of the other war criminals it's doubtful he'll be held to account for anything.

We must change that!

Isn't it great to know that war criminals posing as doctors are so proud of their achievements?
I hope the Obama's won't leave this guy alone with their innocent daughters.