Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Water, water everywhere. Except...

I have included what I feel is the most important part of this article from The Worldwide Standard.

What it shows is, in the case of the 9/11 mastermind, it works.

And what about 9/11 mastermind, Khalid Shaykh Mohammad? More coincidence? From page 91:

On the other hand, Khalid Shaykh Muhammad, an accomplished resistor, provided only a few intelligence reports prior to the use of the waterboard, and analysis of that information revealed that much of it was outdated, inaccurate or incomplete. As a means of less active resistance, at the beginning of their interrogation, detainees routinely provide information that they know is already known. Khalid Shaykh Muhammad received 183 applications of the waterboard in March 2003.

The section immediately following this overview of KSM’s pre-waterboard disclosures is redacted. But flip back a few pages in the IG report, to page 87, and we learn the details of KSM’s post-waterboard intelligence. KSM provided so many leads to other terrorists and plots that the IG described him as “the most prolific” source of information among the detainees. So, what did he tell us?

He provided information that helped lead to the arrests of terrorists including Sayfullah Paracha and his son Uzair Paracha, businessmen who Khalid Shaykh Muhammad planned to use to smuggle explosives into the United States; Saleh Almari, a sleeper operative in New York; and Majid Khan, an operative who could enter the United States easily and was tasked to research attacks [redacted]. Khalid Shaykh Muhammad’s information also led to the investigation and prosecution of Iyman Faris, the truck driver arrested in early 2003 in Ohio.

Let’s review. Abu Zubaydah gave up some information before the use of EITs. But “since the use of the waterboard…Abu Zubaydah has appeared to be cooperative,” and gave up even more intelligence. Al Nashiri provided mostly historical information in the short time before EITs were employed. “However, following the use of EITs, he provided information about his most current operational planning…” And “accomplished resistor” Khalid Shaykh Muhammad provided mostly useless information before the application of EITs. Afterwards, he “provided information that helped lead to the arrests of terrorists” – so much information, in fact, that he was regarded as the “most prolific” intelligence source.

Reasonable people can – and do – disagree about the morality of using EITs. But only the most accomplished resistor could continue to claim that they were not effective.


So what do the people say?

Washington Post
May 9, 2009

a new poll conducted for Resurgent Republic suggests that the American people -- including politically critical independent voters -- by and large support the use of "enhanced interrogation techniques" on suspected al-Qaeda operatives.

Asked whether such tactics were justified, 53 percent of the overall sample said they were and 34 percent said they were not. While Democrats strongly opposed the use of these controversial methods and Republicans strongly supported them, independent voters were slightly more divided than partisans of each side, with 51 percent expressing support for the tactics and 31 percent opposing them.


I believe the poll shows, most people understand who we are up against. Those who were questioned using these techniques are the most difficult to question. Not only are they trained to resist, but most importantly, they are acting by order of their "god". They are not afraid to die. And according to their god, to die is the greatest act they can commit.

Without the addition of EIT's we will be hit again. There is no question about it.

But instead, the Obama administration has decided to go back on his word (what's new) and allow the investigation and possible conviction of those members of our intelligence services. Who, according to the following statement from Cheney, deserve our gratitude:


Weekly Standard

The documents released Monday clearly demonstrate that the individuals subjected to Enhanced Interrogation Techniques provided the bulk of intelligence we gained about al Qaeda. This intelligence saved lives and prevented terrorist attacks. These detainees also, according to the documents, played a role in nearly every capture of al Qaeda members and associates since 2002. The activities of the CIA in carrying out the policies of the Bush Administration were directly responsible for defeating all efforts by al Qaeda to launch further mass casualty attacks against the United States. The people involved deserve our gratitude. They do not deserve to be the targets of political investigations or prosecutions. President Obama’s decision to allow the Justice Department to investigate and possibly prosecute CIA personnel, and his decision to remove authority for interrogation from the CIA to the White House, serves as a reminder, if any were needed, of why so many Americans have doubts about this Administration’s ability to be responsible for our nation’s security.

So Obama has decided it's best to waterdown our interrogation techniques, waterdown 9/11, but never, ever, waterdown our enemies.

This is not about Holder. This is about Obama. He is willing to drown the War on Terror with a nod and a pen, in an attempt to save his sorry ass.

1 comment:

Pastorius said...

It won't save his sorry ass. This kind of stuff is ruining him.

Look at the poll numbers you cite in this article. Look at his approval ratings.

He may not last one term, at the rate he is going.