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April 21, 2008
Of Waterboarding, Acts of Terror, and Selective Offenses
by Tina Grazier
Nothing in the political realm offends me more than the selective shock tactics used by those who would attempt to sway political and social opinion away from the just in favor of the unjust. So it is with great offence that I bring to your attention an ad to be shown in the UK and created, with the help of Malcom Nance, an American, by Amnesty International. The issue is waterboarding. First a reminder:
America and the world watched in horror on a crisp September morning as jets were flown into buildings killing thousands, some of them horribly, injuring countless others, and creating a nightmare of confusion, and fear. The shock was incredible in terms of personal grief, and the long and horrifying job of finding and identifying bodies and cleaning away the fallen structures. We also watched in shock and horror as terrorist thugs cut the head from a screaming Daniel Pearl. This act became a harbinger of similar ruthless and medieval events to take place in the days and weeks to come. We watched as trains, busses, mosques, synagogues, embassies and hotels filled with people have been blown to bits. Long before much of this happened, we practiced tolerance as year after long year terrorists strapped bombs to their own children, having taught them to blow themselves up in a crowded market or restaurant for maximum damage in Israel. We (the UN) played word games with Saddam, his sons and his thugs tortured, mutilated, raped, and murdered his own people.
All of these things and more have we witnessed. Yet, the only horror Amnesty International can't seem to stomach, the only thing it wishes to prosecute on the world’s stage is an interrogation technique that frightens, but does not physically harm or kill. An American has chosen to condemn the United States and to play the lead in Amnesty’s latest political farce, his credentials lending that special touch to his performance that activists always seem to relish.
An American expert in torture techniques has denounced his government for allowing "waterboarding" to be practised against terror suspects, just as a graphic advertisement showing the brutal reality of the technique is unveiled to British cinema-goers. ** Malcolm Nance, who trained hundreds of US servicemen and women to resist interrogation by putting them through "waterboarding" exercises, demanded an immediate end to the practice by all US personnel. ** He said: "They seem to think it is worth throwing the honour of 220 years of American decency in war out of the window. Waterboarding is out-and-out torture, and I'm deeply ashamed President Bush has authorised its use and dragged the US's reputation into the mud." ** Amnesty International is leading the campaign to persuade the US to abandon the practice – a form of torture used as long ago as the Spanish Inquisition – and is stepping up its efforts with the release of a graphic and disturbing advertisement. ** Kate Allen, the UK director of Amnesty International, said: "Our film shows you what the CIA doesn't want you to see – the disgusting reality of half-drowning a person.
For the record the technique does not actually cause drowning, half or otherwise, it only creates the sensation of drowning. Amnesty also gives the impression that this practice is occurring on a daily basis when there is no evidence to indicate it is used other than in extreme situations. So Amnesty is lying about what actually happens and they are lying on purpose…for effect. Like adding plenty of blood and guts in a horror scene, they exaggerate and embellish “what the CIA doesn’t want you to see” and call it a “half-drowning” so they can better sell their anti-Bush administration position. Let the visual histrionics and imaginings begin:
The broadcast begins with images of glistening clear liquid, suggesting it could be promoting a new brand of vodka or gin. But the camera pulls back to show water is being poured over the face of a desperate man strapped to a table. ** "For a few seconds, our film-makers did it for real. Even for those few seconds, it's horrifying to watch. The reality – in a secret prison with no one to stop it – is much, much worse."
"Horrifying"…yep, horrifying to watch, just as planned! Has Amnesty made films or ads about the methods and tactics of terrorists? No…not that I’ve heard. So, why in He** not?
Posted by Post Scripts at April 21, 2008 10:26 PM
Comments
These people are from the same ilk, who find it perfectly appropriate to support partial birth abortion. An act that when described makes water boarding seem like a fraternity prank.
The bottom line...its not that liberals mind torture, they just prefer it when its utilized against innocent human life, completely incapable of defending itself.
Posted by: Nick Freitas at April 22, 2008 07:08 PM
...An act that when described makes water boarding seem like a fraternity prank.
Excellent point Nick and well put.
I'd add that most seem to be void of all sensitivity and human compassion. Their selective responses, ignoring violent offenses against the innocent or attacks that insult or destroy decency, proves the point. First they play the moral equivalence card (as a set up) and then use sensationalized protest as a tool to push a particular agenda...like destroying democracy and capitalism perhaps?
Posted by: Tina at April 22, 2008 10:36 PM