CIA and torture...wait they actually do that?

This post is going to be fairly brief, so if you're someone (like me) who has a very short attention span, this one's for you.

The Economist recently published an article pertaining to the CIA and a recent report released (Aug. 24) by the Department of Justice, which includes documentation of suspicious interrogation activities carried out overseas during the Bush administration, specifically between 2000 and 2004. If you're interested, you can read the article and the full report provided by the link below:

http://www.economist.com/world/unitedstates/displaystory.cfm?story_id=14297027

Eric Holder, an Obama appointee currently serving as the 82nd United States Attorney General, is considering to launch a full scale criminal investigation. An event that would greatly deter from the President's current focus on health care reform and other domestic policy, the Economist states that if trials were indeed to be held, it would be the first time a federal torture prosecution would commence in our nation's history. But according to the article, it is also understood by his administration that Mr. Holder will act independently, and that "the clarity of the law and the nature of the abuses legally forced him to act." (Economist, Aug 25)

It's mentioned that the President, despite his wishes to look forward, is willing to support the prosecution if indeed certain officers acted beyond their realm of duties. There is criticism however, that certain policymakers in Washington who endorsed such activities will not be held accountable, with only low level CIA staff and civilian contractors biting the bullet.

Some of the techniques noted as unauthorized and in violation of American law included waterboarding (a method which involves prisoners to believe they are drowning), choking, threats against family members, slamming prisoners into walls, sleep deprivation, inducing prisoners to vomit by blowing cigarette smoke repeatedly into their faces, and physical threats with handguns and power drills, to name a few.

Certain proponents argue however that these techniques were vital in obtaining crucial information otherwise left undiscovered. Indeed, former Vice President Dick Cheney is mentioned to have thought that the techniques provided valuable intelligence against terrorist attacks. It's unclear exactly which techniques he is referring to, and whether or not they included legal forms of interrogation.

I'm under the impression that the less the average citizen knows about what goes on in the CIA and exactly how they conduct their business the better. Stories such as these don't even come close to revealing the tip of the iceberg that is unauthorized, off the record, strictly classified U.S. government activity. It would be impossible for the CIA to do their job effectively if they had the Dept. of Justice and mass media continually breathing down their neck. If people only KNEW what kind of activities our government has been a part of behind closed doors to obtain certain people and information, it would disgust them. You don't WANT to know. The ugly tactics our government uses serve a purpose, and that is to effectively protect the American people.

Consider Khalid Sheikh Muhammad. Mr. Muhammad just may be one of the biggest assholes ever. He is the man who allegedly formulated the September 11th attacks into fruition. I can bet 1000 times over Khalid didn't suffer nearly as much as those whose lives he cut short on that fateful day.

-------I'm going to finish this rant later. I have to get ready for work. Till then!