One-Year Anniversary of Suppressed Report on CIA Torture

Yesterday marked the one year anniversary of the Obama administration's decision to suppress a 6,000-page report on the CIA's post-9/11 detention and interrogation policies. On Thursday night, Senate Intelligence Chair Dianne Feinstein announced that portions of the report will be made public. 

CIA/Wikimedia Commons

The report details the living conditions for every prisoner in CIA custody. According to Senator Feinstein, who viewed the report last year, it reveals crucial information on "the conditions under which [prisoners] were detained, how they were interrogated, the intelligence they actually provided and the accuracy — or inaccuracy — of CIA descriptions about the program to the White House, Department of Justice, Congress and others."

"The report uncovers startling details about the CIA detention and interrogation program and raises critical questions about intelligence operations and oversight," Senator Feinstein said. "I strongly believe that the creation of long-term, clandestine 'black sites' and the use of so-called 'enhanced-interrogation techniques' were terrible mistakes. The majority of the Committee agrees."

Sources familiar with the report said it finds torture an ineffective technique. Additionally, investigators found "no evidence" that enhanced interrogations played "any significant role" in the discovery and killing of Osama bin Laden.

The report is based on four years of investigation and six million CIA documents and cost $40 million to undertake. It contains 20 findings and conclusions. 

When the Senate Intelligence Committee voted to adopt the report's conclusions last year, numerous politicians called for the documents to be released. However, the Obama administration elected to review the document first to insert comments and redactions. 

In that time, civil liberties groups and prominent politicians, such as John McCain, have insisted that the documents be released. In honor of the one-year anniversary, the Center for Victims of Torture has assembled a list of 58 notable figures who insist that the public be able to read the important document. 

Comments

[Sevo]

A state program which angers DiFi?!
Truly, it must be horrible!

[CatoTheElder]

Truly, it must be a Bush era program in which the Obama people have no interest in continuing.

[Austrian Anarchy]

The report is based on four years of investigation and six million CIA documents and cost $40 million to undertake. It contains 20 findings and conclusions.

That's like $2M per conclusion. Good thing they didn't have the USPS do it.

[DK]

That's like $2M per conclusion. Good thing they didn't have the USPS do it.

But only about $7 per document. Of course, that's before Obama's comment/redaction czar got a hold of them, pushing the cost up to ObamaCare website levels of spending.

[Metazoan]

I wonder if the report discusses the torture method known as Taboola

[Sevo]

Pretty sure it covers "missing edit tab".

[The Late P Brooks]

I was out on my deck, shooting a a coyote with the .45 a little while ago. It was a loooong shot, but the first one, while he was standing flat-footed, went right past his shoulder and kicked up a puff of snow behind him. I wasted a couple more rounds as he was headed south at full speed. Perhaps that will encourage him to find someplace else to go.

And then, I came in and flipped over to see what Melissa Harris Racetroller and her merry band of concern trolls are all aflutter over today. Amazingly enough, practically the first words I heard were, "OMG ACCESS TO GUNZ!" They were too busy demonizing people like me to provide any actual facts or useful information, but apparently there was another school incident. In Colorado, where I had heard the urban Democrats had made such things impossible, with their reasonable and sensible new restrictions on teh gun kkkultur.

Now they're moaning and groaning about the horrible new AUSTERUHTEEEZE ("Austerity" / "Austrian" -not a coincidence, let's face it) budget. When the smarmy, puerile little cunt does her snotty twelve-year-old making faces at Dad through the freshly slammed door routine, how could anybody not be convinced?

[BakedPenguin]

She is the absolute worst, even on MSDNC.

[Bo Cara Esq.]

-I was out on my deck, shooting a a coyote with the .45 a little while ago.

Why would you do that?

[Austrian Anarchy]

Yea, that .45 ammo is kind of pricey these days. Didn't you have something cheaper?

[Bo Cara Esq.]

I do not understand the casual shooting of coyotes. They are interesting and beautiful animals. People talk about how dangerous they are, but mass shootings are more common than coyote attacks on humans.

[Slammer]

"Meep meep!"

[Bo Cara Esq.]

Of course Roadrunners should be allowed to stand their ground and shoot coyotes, did not mean to suggest otherwise.

[Fist of Etiquette]

Coyotes are vile, nuisance creatures that need to not exist.

[Bo Cara Esq.]

That is true of mosquitos, gnats and ticks. But no mammal I can think of.

[Bo Cara Esq.]

Coyotes, like Bourbon, are a distinctly American contribution to the world.

[Austrian Anarchy]

Rats, mice, deer... The list is quite long.

[Bo Cara Esq.]

People who talk during movies...

[Austrian Anarchy]

Let me try that again. It loses something at this level of nesting.
That is true of mosquitos, gnats and ticks. But no mammal I can think of.

Rats, mice, deer... The list is quite long.

[Kyfho Myoba]

Have you ever been to a restaurant in NYC? The rats there, all mammals, I believe, are atrocious.

[Francisco d Anconia]

Coyotes are worse than rats.

[Pope Jimbo]

I can tell you that there is no way to make a rancher out west happier than to shoot a coyote on his land.

As I said above (or maybe below), I have shot a couple while out in NDak and given the carcass to the rancher who turns it in for the bounty.

They hate them because they have all lost some livestock and pets to them out there.

[Francisco d Anconia]

We've had a cat killed.

A friend of mine has had his hunting dog chased out of his yard (through an invisible fence) twice. Gone all night, both times. Lucky.

I've had the bastards stalk my dogs while out running them.

Kill every fucking one of those fuckers.

[CatoTheElder]

If one lives in a rural or semi-rural area, just about any area where it is legal to discharge a firearm in the open, and owns a small dog or cats, coyotes are more than just a nuisance. They are an existential threat to your pets.

Ditto if one has chickens.

[Virginian]

I do not understand the casual shooting of coyotes. They are interesting and beautiful animals. People talk about how dangerous they are, but mass shootings are more common than coyote attacks on humans.

There's a lot you don't understand. HTML for example.

People kill coyotes because they are a danger to stock and to pets. They're not dangerous at all to an armed man.

[R C Dean]

I started shooting coyotes on sight after I had to help my father put down a mother cow.

She must have had a hard delivery, because she must have been down when the coyotes got to her.

They started eating her from the rear to the front. And yes, she was alive when we found her.

[Ken Shultz]

"I do not understand the casual shooting of coyotes. They are interesting and beautiful animals. People talk about how dangerous they are, but mass shootings are more common than coyote attacks on humans."

I was walking one of our properties a while back with officials from the Federal, State Fish and Wildlife, and County, all of them were looking for signs of kangaroo rats or burrowing owls.

All of a sudden, I realized we were surrounded by a pack of coyotes--running around us in a circle in the tall grass. I thought maybe that would be a problem with them--but they didn't give a damn about destroying coyote habitat.

That's right. Even the Fish and Game people from the great environmental State of California don't care about coyotes.

"Relocating a problem coyote is not an option because it only moves the problem to someone else's neighborhood."

So says the State of California.

http://www.dfg.ca.gov/keepmewild/coyote.html

I suppose if they were endangered, there'd be more of a problem, but I don't think coyotes are anywhere near being endangered.

[Redmanfms]

I do not understand the casual shooting of coyotes. They are interesting and beautiful animals. People talk about how dangerous they are, but mass shootings are more common than coyote attacks on humans.

Apparently you don't live anywhere that actually has coyotes.

But yeah Bo-Bo, we know there are a lot of things you don't understand. You're a self-absorbed sanctimonious shithead, understanding isn't something you do.

[Live Free or Diet]

I was out on my deck, shooting a a coyote with the .45 a little while ago.

That sounds so much more manly than my gun story.
All summer I was killing rabbits with my .22 to keep them from my garden. I never saw so many rabbits in all my life. My wife took to calling it The Battle of the Bunnies.

[Austrian Anarchy]

You will keep having this problem until you get a coyote, or a Holy Hand Grenade.

[Slammer]

Maybe you and the Late P Brooks can work out a voluntary trade. His coyote for your targets.

[Kid Xenocles]

That sounds like a good problem to have. At least you can eat the bunnies. We have a gopher - you can't see him coming.

[Austrian Anarchy]

There must be a gopher chili recipe out there somewhere.

[Pope Jimbo]

It really is amazing how fast they can run.

Last year while we hunting out in western North Dakota we saw a coyote running across the field. Since there is a bounty on them, we told my son to take a whack at it.

The son missed it by just a bit and then it really started running. The son didn't take another shot and when we teased him about it, he said he was in awe of how fast it could run across the badlands and didn't even think about shooting again.

[Ken Shultz]

"On Thursday night, Senate Intelligence Chair Dianne Feinstein announced that portions of the report will be made public."

Isn't it great that liberals like Dianne Feinstein are there to protect our civil rights the CIA from the CIA our civil rights?

I'm sure the portions of the report that will be made public are in no way embarrassing to Dianne Feinstein or the president, and in the end, isn't that what's really important?

What difference does it make?

[Bo Cara Esq.]

Ken, did you notice who was linked as pushing for its release?

[Ken Shultz]

Do you mean Dianne Feinstein?

[Bo Cara Esq.]

The ACLU. We had a discussion about whether they still do any valuable civil liberties work.

[Ken Shultz]

For the hundredth time, who cares if the ACLU happens to agree with me on this issue?

They reflect the opinions of their donors, and they actively oppose people's civil rights--in particular their religious freedom and their Second Amendment rights.

Racist skinheads agree with me on my Second Amendment rights--does that mean I'm supposed to like them, too?

It's true that the ACLU isn't like racists skinheads in that the ACLU doesn't condone the use of violence in their attempts to deny people their civil and constitutional rights.

The ACLU prefers to use the courts to deny people their constitutional rights, and I won't pretend otherwise. Certainly not just because they agree with me on a completely separate issue.

[Bo Cara Esq.]

-The ACLU prefers to use the courts to deny people their constitutional rights, and I won't pretend otherwise.

I think they have played, and continue to play, a pivotal role in setting precedents in cases involving rights I am sure you value highly. That they have not done so in the area of the 2nd Amendment is unfortunate, but does not strike me as a reason to discount all the other good work they do and have done.

[Bo Cara Esq.]

Also Ken, I am not aware that the ACLU filed any briefs or suits in opposition to the 2nd Amendment, just that they have unfortunately failed to do so in favor. That seems a small thing to reject the other important things they do.

[Ken Shultz]

What about the First Amendment?

Somehow our Free Exercise rights don't matter if they go against the interests of some favored group?

http://advocatusatheist.blogsp.....baker.html

[Ken Shultz]

That isn't passive resistance to people's First Amendment rights.

The ACLU sued those people because they were exercising their First Amendment rights.

That's what the ACLU did. That's who they are. If they happen to agree with me on other issues, so what?

Maybe they're an ally on certain issues, but whatever they are, they are certainly NOT principled defenders of the Constitution or our constitutional rights.

[R C Dean]

the ACLU doesn't condone the use of violence in their attempts to deny people their civil and constitutional rights.

Sure they do. Every road that involves government enforcement ends with jackboots, nightsticks, and guns. What do you think will eventually happen to someone who disagrees with the courts that the ACLU uses?

[Ken Shultz]

The same Dianne Feinstein who thought it wasn't necessary to release the Abu Ghraib photos--that the country had already seen enough?

The same Dianne Feinstein who claims there's no need for further review of Obama's targeted killing program--since her own review is more than adequate?

http://tinyurl.com/7u2nuca

You mean the same Dianne Feinstein who never raised a single objection to anything the Bush Administration wanted to do on civil rights issues--until after some scandal had hit the headlines?

Dianne Feinstein has served as fig leaf cover for some of the federal government's worst legally sanctioned civil rights abuses--since the internment camps of the 1940s. ...and her feigned shock and dismay after the fact, when these programs inevitably end up in the headlines, does nothing to change the fact that when she was the loyal opposition--she did NOTHING to oppose civil rights abuses.

And it's even worse now that she's providing active cover for Barack Obama's civil rights abuses!

She's worse than a rubber stamp. Why would we take her word for anything?

And why would an honest liberal defend her civil rights record?

[Bo Cara Esq.]

Not defending Feinstein, she is indefensible in myriad ways.

[Aloysious]

Happy anniversary.

Thanks a lot. I'm gonna celebrate by buying something illegal. On a black market. On purpose. Maybe raw milk, or cheese made with unpasteurized milk.

[The Late P Brooks]

"After an exhaustive investigation, in which no stone was left unturned and no source unexplored, the Committee has found no evidence whatsoever of misconduct on the part oif government agencies. Sorry, no questions. That is all."

[Sevo]

I'll bet you were wearing a Carney costume for Halloween.

[Austrian Anarchy]

In that time, civil liberties groups and prominent politians (sic) such as John McCain, have insisted that the documents be released.

If that doesn't rally Democrats, nothing will.

[The Late P Brooks]

"The report uncovers startling details about the CIA detention and interrogation program and raises critical questions about intelligence operations and oversight," Senator Feinstein said.

Raises critical questions such as:
Why aren't we doing this in America, with American citizens?
Why haven't we taken the gloves off and taken our anti-terror responsibilities seriously?
When will we finally do away with the suicide pact known as the "Constitution"?

[The Late P Brooks]

Why would you do that?

Should I start live-trapping them and shipping them to you, freight collect?

[DK]

Only the interesting and beautiful ones.

[The Late P Brooks]

that .45 ammo is kind of pricey these days. Didn't you have something cheaper?

I could have grabbed one of the 9mms, but I wanted him to go down down hard if I hit him. It was worth a buck and a half to see that fucker run.

[Francisco d Anconia]

For those in favor of gun registration.

Don't know if this is true. Wife found several sources, but nothing from MSM.

Gun Confiscation Underway in New York

The New York City Police Department is taking aim at owners of certain shotguns and rifles, telling them all long guns with a five-round or more capacity must be turned in, altered or taken out of town.

An estimated 500 recipients of the notices, which were mailed on Nov. 18, were given the options to surrender their gun, permanently move the gun out of city jurisdiction or employ a licensed gunsmith to modify the weapon to get into compliance with the law. Rifles and shotguns with a capacity of five or more rounds are affected.

How'd they know where to send the notices?

[Bo Cara Esq.]

Well, of course. All you need is a double barreled shot gun, did you not hear our Vice President?

[Austrian Anarchy]

Hasn't gun confiscation been underway in New York for decades?

[Irish]

So, that gunman at Arapahoe high was basically a committed socialist. That's not surprising because progressives are violent monsters.

What is hilarious is this line he apparently posted on his facebook:

"...I was wondering to all the neoclassicals and neoliberals, why isn't the market correcting itself?" he wrote. "If the invisible hand is so strong, shouldn't it be able to overpower regulations?"

HAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHA! Oh good lord. That's the funniest statement I've ever seen.

This is the most wondrously smug misunderstanding of your political opponents' arguments that I have eve seen.

I imagine this guy probably made a wonderful Daily Kos poster.

[Bo Cara Esq.]

That hand should be able to break through those handcuffs!

[Francisco d Anconia]

Guns don't kill people. Progressives kill people.

[Francisco d Anconia]

Ban progressives.

[Francisco d Anconia]

Mental health evaluations for progressives.

[Bo Cara Esq.]

GOP Candidates For Texas Lt. Governor Agree Creationism Needs Taught

http://tfninsider.org/2013/12/.....c-schools/

My favorite quote was from candidate Staples: "As a Christian, certainly creationism should be taught." Well of course that first fact leads to that conclusion.

[Michael Ejercito]

I wonder how many Americans actually give a fuck.

[PM]

Yeah, we don't need crap like that crowding out the important curricula in our schools.

[The Late P Brooks]

or employ a licensed gunsmith to modify the weapon to get into compliance with the law.

Who could have predicted this?

Which reminds me: A friend told me he got busted (actually, I think the game warden just said, "Well, don't let it happen again.") when he was bird hunting as a kid in Arizona for not having a capacity limiting device (aka piece of broom handle) in the magazine of his pump shotgun. I think he said they were supposed to be limited to two rounds at a time. I don't remember what kind of birds they were after.

A section of broom handle works just fine, but you'll never bribe licensed gunsmiths to not oppose your dumb law that way.

[Pope Jimbo]

In MN and ND, you need to have a plug in the shotgun, so that it can only have 3 (including the one in the chamber) shells in it at a time.

On my kids' pump guns, it is just a wooden dowel that you put into the magazine. It took me about 30 seconds to install and I'm one of the most mechanically declined people on earth.

[Francisco d Anconia]

Different.

Those are hunting regulations devised to ensure fair chase. It is a federal regulation to "plug" (restrict to 3 shots) your shotgun for ALL waterfowl hunting. Some states require you plug your gun to hunt upland game as well. Many (I'd say most) don't.

The plugs are designed to be removable so you can switch back and forth. My assumption is the NYC law requires a permanent "solution" and a plug won't cut it.

[Austrian Anarchy]

I'll take a little guess here and say that box fed magazine shotguns will be deemed "illegal" too.

[The Late P Brooks]

"If the invisible hand is so strong, shouldn't it be able to overpower regulations?"

Not long ago, on some teevee show, I heard the resident liberal respond to a statement about regulatory uncertainty (probably in reference to the Volcker Rule) with, "Well, that's why those corporate CEOs get paid the big bucks. They're supposed to be able to innovate, and stuff!"

[Francisco d Anconia]

Ripped from the pages of Atlas Shrugged.

[The Late P Brooks]

I'll bet you were wearing a Carney costume for Halloween.

"I'm Spartacus Jay Carney!"

[Crusty Juggler]

I'm Jay Carney!

[The Late P Brooks]

Just assume I closed that "s" tag.

[CatoTheElder]

The report details the living conditions for every prisoner in CIA custody.

This is a report about the CIA.

It purports to detail living conditions about CIA prisoners.

Geez, how gullible can a person get?

[Michael Ejercito]

Do not the CIA'S actions constitute assault and battery?

[Ken Shultz]

AUMF, baby!

As long as the presidents says they're associated with Al Qaeda, ...

[PM]

Not that it necessarily justifies anything, but that's how every war declaration ever made in history has worked. POW's and enemy operatives are generally not granted protections as generous as civilians, particularly in terms of what constitutes assault and/or battery. That's why the various war time conventions and war crimes rules were established (and are strictly observed by all of the countries who aren't engaged in any armed conflict).

[PM]

"I strongly believe that the creation of long-term, clandestine 'black sites' and the use of so-called 'enhanced-interrogation techniques' were terrible mistakes. The majority of the Committee agrees."

Droning American citizens and collecting every piece of data transmitted over networks anywhere on the planet is all good though. I guess DiFi's thinking here is that since we gather so much communication data, we shouldn't have to torture it out of anybody.

[RishJoMo]

Sounds like some serious business to me dude.

http://www.Anon-Go.tk

[Tamfang]

How come I constantly hear "one-year anniversary" but never "one-year birthday"?