Insert transparent anti-torture propaganda here

[Cain]

Someone the other day, I can't remember who, was remarking that in 1999, if you had said that torture would not only become acceptable again, but there would be an actual torture lobby (read: Richard Cohen and his constant blubbering in the WaPo.  He admits torture doesn't work, but thinks it should be done anyway, because it impresses the public) he would have said you were crazy.

You know things are bad, when you look at the 90s and feel nostalgic.

[Doktor Howl]

Someone the other day, I can't remember who, was remarking that in 1999, if you had said that torture would not only become acceptable again, but there would be an actual torture lobby (read: Richard Cohen and his constant blubbering in the WaPo.  He admits torture doesn't work, but thinks it should be done anyway, because it impresses the public) he would have said you were crazy.

You know things are bad, when you look at the 90s and feel nostalgic.

Hahaha!  We should write that guy letters of encouragement, signed "Martin Bormann" and "A. Eichmann".

[Cain]

cohenr@washpost.com

Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

Of course, Cohen does get torn a new one by the blogs every other week for his constant blubbering, but I think emails add a personal touch to things.

[Doktor Howl]

cohenr@washpost.com

Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

Of course, Cohen does get torn a new one by the blogs every other week for his constant blubbering, but I think emails add a personal touch to things.

I am so on this when I get home.   

[Jasper]

I hope he gets the chair.

He is doing precisely what we have programmed him to do.

Yeah, the military is in the monster creation business.  I'm down for systemic change, ethical treatment of prisoners, and other Nice Things^TM, but in the interim, I'd like to see crimes get punished.

You're one of those "rule of law" extremists, aren't you?

I need a gavel.

A fucking big one.

[Triple Zero]

I think that was Enki's point about "transparent anti-torture propaganda".

You know what's really horrible? 

The fact that we need any anti-torture propaganda at all.  Just think about that for a moment.

yup.

Also, this leads me to believe that Enki is upset by "transparent anti-torture propaganda".

I wondered about that too, but then, you know me, benefit-of-the-doubt-guy, figured it was more about the fact that it was really bad transparent anti-torture propaganda.

Cause I dunno, ENKI, for all his quirks, doesn't strike me as a torture guy ...

... wait a minute.

Dexter?

[Rococo Modem Basilisk]

It is not my place to criticize what two or more consenting adults do in the privacy of their own abattoir.

[Doktor Howl]

It is not my place to criticize what two or more consenting adults do in the privacy of their own abattoir.

Well, yes, but it's the consent part.

[Reginald Ret]

It is not my place to criticize what two or more consenting adults do in the privacy of their own abattoir.

Well, yes, but it's the consent part.

And this was one adult and one kid.

[Shibboleet The Annihilator]

I hope he gets the chair.

He is doing precisely what we have programmed him to do.

1.  Obtain primates.
2.  Put them in a military situation, but do not give them a mission.
3.  Have them wander in circles until someone blows a few of them up.
4.  Tell them that torture is okay, because the enemy is less than human.  The enemy is anyone not in their unit.
5.  Repeat for 15 months.
6.  Send the subjects home with no counseling.

What happened here was inevitable.  It will happen many more times.  I imagine that worse things are happening, but have yet to come to light.

Unfortunately, this. ^

From what I've heard the military is upping its efforts to deal with psychological stuff like this, but they've got a long way to go.

[Cain]

UK torture porn dissected here http://alamut.wordpress.com/2010/02/17/torture-porn-uk-edition/

I would c+p, only I don't feel well and that sounds like effort.

[Doktor Howl]

I think my final analysis is this:  Torture is never acceptable under any circumstances, because any nation that would tolerate torture in their name isn't worth saving, by any means.

[Cain]

There's that too.

I am also of the opinion torture should be banned simply so bed-wetting pansies like Bruce Anderson keep needing to buy new underwear.

[Doktor Howl]

There's that too.

I am also of the opinion torture should be banned simply so bed-wetting pansies like Bruce Anderson keep needing to buy new underwear.

That's an added benefit.  Also, watching O'Reilly and Beck cry is always a hoot.

[Rococo Modem Basilisk]

Vallee has an interesting devil's advocate position here: http://www.boingboing.net/2009/11/18/waterboardings-curio.html