Loophole in US 'torture' policy

US Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld can authorise exceptions to a new Defence Department policy on military interrogations that bars torture and calls for "humane" treatment of detainees, a spokesman said overnight. The new directive lays out broad policy governing interrogations of detainees in Department of Defence custody, but leaves the definition of "humane" to a separate, yet to be released directive that is still being debated within the administration. A little noticed loophole in the directive, which was made public yesterday, gives the secretary of defence or his deputy authority to override the policy.

"Intelligence interrogations will be conducted in accordance with applicable law, this directive and implementing plans, policies, orders, directives, and doctrine developed by DoD components and approved by USD (I), unless otherwise authorised, in writing, by the secretary of defence or deputy secretary of defence," the directive states. "USD (I)" refers to the undersecretary of defence for intelligence.

Bryan Whitman, a Pentagon spokesman, said there was nothing unusual about the caveat because a defence secretary always has the authority to change or modify policy he has made. "Any deviation from the policy would have to be approved," he told reporters. "The secretary can make an exception to any policy."

The language in the directive echoes a struggle between the White House and members of Congress over a proposed amendment to the defence spending bill that would ban outright "cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment of prisoners in the detention of the US government". US Vice President Dick Cheney reportedly has pressed Senator John McCain, the amendment's sponsor, to exempt the CIA from the ban. The White House denied yesterday it is seeking an "exemption for torture" for the CIA, despite US President George W. Bush's threat to veto the legislation.

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5744,17198751%255E1702,00.html

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20051109/pl_afp/usattacksprisoners_051109191424

OK with exceptions to no torture.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=102&topic_id=1908399&mesg_id=1912376

which includes

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=102&topic_id=1912325&mesg_id=1912325

At just how many "exceptions" the SecDef will find to necessitate torturing someone.

I'll have to temporarily overrule my previous decision not to pummel the Sec. of Defense with punishing blows to his genitals.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20051109/ap_on_go_co/katrina_subpoenas

Rumsfeld can authorize exceptions to new "humane" interrogation directive
Wed Nov 9, 2:14 PM ET

WASHINGTON (AFP) - US Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld can authorize exceptions to a new Defense Department policy on military interrogations that bars torture and calls for "humane" treatment of detainees, a spokesman said.

The new directive lays out broad policy governing interrogations of detainees in Defense Department custody, but leaves the definition of "humane" to a separate, yet to be released directive that is still being debated within the administration.
A little noticed loophole in the directive, which was made public Tuesday, gives the secretary of defense or his deputy authority to override the policy.

"Intelligence interrogations will be conducted in accordance with applicable law, this directive and implementing plans, policies, orders, directives, and doctrine developed by DoD components and approved by USD (I), unless otherwise authorized, in writing, by the secretary of defense or deputy secretary of defense," the directive states. "USD (I)" refers to the undersecretary of defense for intelligence.

Bryan Whitman, a Pentagon spokesman, said there was nothing unusual about the caveat because a defense secretary always has the authority to change or modify policy he has made.

......

Vice President Dick Cheney reportedly has pressed Senator John McCain, the amendment's sponsor, to exempt the CIA from the ban.

The White House denied Tuesday it is seeking an "exemption for torture" for the CIA, despite President George W. Bush's threat to veto the legislation.

Rummy gets to pick and choose who gets water boarded?

This is so against American ideals!! :mad:

They would prefer they whole amendment go away so that there is no need for any exemption at all.

that the BushCo Administration does whatever it wants whenever it wants to do it?

Unfortunately, what they want to do is the horrific destruction of Iraq and the steady destruction of the USA.

Quibbling about who said what when and what it means might be a method of educating the public, but the larger message is about the Absolute Evilness of BushCo.

http://news.globalfreepress.com/mp3/aar/af/gore/we_desperately_need.mp3

peace

SHAME ON THEM ALL WAR CRIMINALS

Like if torturing innocents ever 'produced' any true answer!

History has a special chapter ready for these absolute a**hole*... :grr:

In fact, it's okay to violate ANY law, domestic or international, if I say to. Because I have THE POWER!" . . . Dick Cheney . ..

Watch'um try to spin this ....


Peace.

but leaves the definition of "humane" to a separate, yet to be released directive that is still being debated within the administration.

**************************
What's to debate? It's defined clearly...

hu·mane (hy-mn) KEY

ADJECTIVE:

Characterized by kindness, mercy, or compassion: a humane judge.
Marked by an emphasis on humanistic values and concerns: a humane education.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English humain, human ; see human

OTHER FORMS:
hu·manely (Adverb), hu·maneness (Noun)

SYNONYMS:
humane , compassionate , humanitarian , merciful

These adjectives mean marked or motivated by concern with the alleviation of suffering: a humane physician; compassionate toward impoverished people; released the prisoner for humanitarian reasons; is merciful to the repentant.

These rat bastards make me sick.


:cry: :cry: :cry:

peace.

had the same authority, I think.

ONE MORE CROOK, LIAR AND CRIMINAL THAT NEEDS TO BE CAUGHT, CAPTURED AND CAGED FOR LIFE! :grr:




:kick:

Well, it stops being a moral universal. I'm sure that neo-fascists philosophers, of which we have so many right now, will come up with a moral equivalent to the "intelligent design" fantastic construction to allow torture, exploitation and various other degradations of a human being.