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kpete

(71,900 posts)
Tue Dec 9, 2014, 06:49 PM Dec 2014

PROOF: Without ANY Question Our Government KNEW Torture Was ILLEGAL & They Tortured Anyway

Published December 9, 2014 | By bmaz
CryingJusticeOkay, here are the critical working documents:

The SSCI Torture Report
http://www.intelligence.senate.gov/study2014/sscistudy1.pdf
The Minority Response to SSCI Torture Report
http://www.intelligence.senate.gov/study2014/sscistudy3.pdf
Dianne Feinstein’s Statement
https://s3.amazonaws.com/s3.documentcloud.org/documents/1376736/release-final.pdf

But, without any question, my best early takeaway key is that the United States Government, knew, [font color=red]they bloody well knew,[/font] at the highest levels, that what was join on in their citizens’ name, legally constituted torture, that it was strictly illegal. They knew even a “necessity” self defense claim was likely no protection at all. All of the dissembling, coverup, legally insane memos by John Yoo, Jay Bybee et. al, and all the whitewashing in the world cannot now supersede the fact that the United States Government, knowing fully the immorality, and domestic and international illegality, proceeded to install an intentional and affirmative regime of torture.

Here, from page 33 of the Report, is the language establishing the above:

…drafted a letter to Attorney General John Ashcroft asking the Department of Justice for “a formal declination of prosecution, in advance, for any employees of the United States, as well as any other personnel acting on behalf of the United States, who may employ methods in the interrogation of Abu Zubaydah that otherwise might subject those individuals to prosecution. The letter further indicated that “the interrogation team had concluded “that “the use of more aggressive methods is required to persuade Abu Zubaydah to provide the critical information we need to safeguard the lives of innumerable innocent men, women and children within the United States and abroad.” The letter added that these “aggressive methods” would otherwise be prohibited by the torture statute, “apart from potential reliance upon the doctrines of necessity or of self-defense.”



They knew. And our government tortured anyway. Because they were crapping in their pants and afraid instead of protecting and defending the ethos of our country and its Founders.


https://www.emptywheel.net/2014/12/09/ssci-torture-report-key-knew-it-was-torture-knew-it-was-illegal/
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PROOF: Without ANY Question Our Government KNEW Torture Was ILLEGAL & They Tortured Anyway (Original Post) kpete Dec 2014 OP
There is a reason why they swear an oath to protect the Constitution Erich Bloodaxe BSN Dec 2014 #1
I always laugh when I read that word "execute". I think that is exactly what the Bush administration jwirr Dec 2014 #4
Of course they knew. Solly Mack Dec 2014 #2
Oh, yes but they did not want to be told what to do by anyone else in the world so they threw out jwirr Dec 2014 #3
They also knew Man from Pickens Dec 2014 #5

Erich Bloodaxe BSN

(14,733 posts)
1. There is a reason why they swear an oath to protect the Constitution
Tue Dec 9, 2014, 06:56 PM
Dec 2014

rather than the Nation. And this is it. Because in the zeal to protect the citizenry, the Founders knew that there would come people after them who would break any law, abandon any principle in the name of 'safety' and 'security'.

(Oath of the President: I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my Ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.)

Protect and Defend the Constitution. Not the citizens, not the country.

jwirr

(39,215 posts)
4. I always laugh when I read that word "execute". I think that is exactly what the Bush administration
Tue Dec 9, 2014, 07:09 PM
Dec 2014

did to it. I realize that is not what it meant then but it sure does now.

Solly Mack

(90,740 posts)
2. Of course they knew.
Tue Dec 9, 2014, 06:57 PM
Dec 2014

Every single person who claims they didn't know is a liar.

Every single person that claimed or still claims they didn't know waterboarding is torture is a liar.

jwirr

(39,215 posts)
3. Oh, yes but they did not want to be told what to do by anyone else in the world so they threw out
Tue Dec 9, 2014, 07:04 PM
Dec 2014

the Geneva Convention Laws that our nation and others agreed on after WWII. We not only tortured but we started illegal wars that are still going on. The entire oil industry starting with the Bush administration are guilty of war crimes and international thievery.

Unfortunately they will never pay for it because we for some crazy reason do not do it and no other countries are strong enough to challenge them.

 

Man from Pickens

(1,713 posts)
5. They also knew
Tue Dec 9, 2014, 09:01 PM
Dec 2014

that no matter what crimes they committed, even if the full extent of those crimes were revealed in all their glory, not a one of them would be put on trial or go to jail as a result

Torturing for the US shadow government: less dangerous than playing a "Scream" character on Hollywood Boulevard.

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