Bush and then Obama threatened our closest ally with the withholding of intelligence information regarding terrorism if the U.K. released the following paragraphs about what happened to Binyam Mohamed in Guantanamo.
What I find most disturbing about such things is the question of what drives them–the military has accepted and backed the notion (since at least World War II) that positive treatment nets the best results, as apparently has happened with the Christmas airline bomber.
So why should we bother breaking American and international law only to get less reliable results? Because it's fun to play Walker, Texas Ranger? Because after all, you did buy the nunchuks?
Anyway–here are the paragraphs:
It was reported that a new series of interviews was conducted by the United States authorities prior to 17 May 2002 as part of a new strategy designed by an expert interviewer.
v) It was reported that at some stage during that further interview process by the United States authorities, BM had been intentionally subjected to continuous sleep deprivation. The effects of the sleep deprivation were carefully observed.
vi) It was reported that combined with the sleep deprivation, threats and inducements were made to him. His fears of being removed from United States custody and "disappearing" were played upon.
vii) It was reported that the stress brought about by these deliberate tactics was increased by him being shackled in his interviews
viii) It was clear not only from the reports of the content of the interviews but also from the report that he was being kept under self-harm observation, that the interviews were having a marked effect upon him and causing him significant mental stress and suffering.
ix) We regret to have to conclude that the reports provide to the SyS [security services] made clear to anyone reading them that BM was being subjected to the treatment that we have described and the effect upon him of that intentional treatment.
x) The treatment reported, if had been administered on behalf of the United Kingdom, would clearly have been in breach of the undertakings given by the United Kingdom in 1972. Although it is not necessary for us to categorise the treatment reported, it could readily be contended to be at the very least cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment by the United States authorities.
ALSO: The new budget proposals from Republican Rep. Paul Ryan certainly include plenty of new ideas. At least if, when you think "new," you envision a Camaro IROC-Z well-stocked with Bon Jovi cassingles.
Under the plan, Ryan (R-WI) also would give taxpayers a choice of a "simpler" system with just two tax brackets and he would repeal the corporate income tax. In its place he creates a "consumption tax" of 8.5 percent that experts tell us would unfairly burden the lower and middle classes. That's a tax on all goods and services that shifts the tax burden from corporations to individual consumers. …
The roadmap has a GOP grab-bag of tax cuts, eliminating capital gains taxes, interest income taxes, the alternative minimum tax and estate tax Republicans dubbed the "death" tax. It also increases the standard deduction for tax filers.
I find it remarkable that anyone making less than six figures runs out to vote for politicians who embrace this kind of save-the-rich philosophy. Maybe they're still waiting for all that money to finally trickle down?
