Amy Goodman: A Hypocritical Oath: Psychologists and Torture (Truthdig)

[marmar]

A Hypocritical Oath: Psychologists and Torture

Posted on Jun 5, 2007

By Amy Goodman

First, do no harm. This tenet of medicine applies equally to psychologists, yet they are increasingly implicated in abusive interrogations, dare we say torture, at U.S. military detention facilities like Guantanamo. While the American Medical Association and the American Psychiatric Association both have passed resolutions prohibiting members from participating in interrogations, the American Psychological Association refuses to, despite the outrage of many of its members.

Now, with the declassification of a report by the Pentagon’s inspector general detailing psychologists’ role in military interrogations, the U.S. Senate Committee on Armed Services announced it will investigate.

Dr. Leonard Rubenstein, executive director of Physicians for Human Rights, says such an “investigation into the development of torture techniques by the United States” would be “very significant. ... It should get into ... the use of psychologists in the development of the techniques, what is happening now, and how this can be avoided in the future.”

Two years ago, after a leaked report from the International Committee of the Red Cross criticizing the role of health professionals in U.S. interrogations, the American Psychological Association formed its Presidential Task Force on Psychological Ethics and National Security (PENS). There were nine voting members. Six of them were connected to the military. At the time, the identities of the panelists were secret. The PENS panel endorsed the continued participation of psychologists in military interrogations.

...(snip)...

The upcoming APA Annual Convention, taking place Aug. 17- 20, promises to be hotly contested. An unknown number of members are withholding dues. Some have quit. Physicians for Human Rights’ Rubenstein summed up:

“Even the army surgeon general’s report ... said it was the role of psychologists to tell interrogators when to increase the pressure, how to exploit vulnerabilities. So I think we really do have to end this as a nation, not just as professional associations. ... We’re talking about ... ending complicity in torture by a profession that has an enormous amount to contribute to the good of humanity and should not be involved in the destruction of people.” .....(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.truthdig.com/report/item/20070605_a_hypocritical_oath_psychologists_and_torture/

[Solly Mack]

1. America will rationalize its crimes away

and in the doing individuals will also get a pass

[marmar]

2. "individuals will also get a pass"

Sad, and very true. Too many in this country will rationalize anything their country does.

[Solly Mack]

3. America will never admit to torture as government policy

Oh, they'll blame a few and call them "bad apples" and pretend that's all there is to it...but admit to the systemic practice of torture as a matter of course? Not gonna happen and because it won't happen, people like Bush and company - as well as the doctors involved - will never be held accountable.


A good many Americans will never face up to it but then government makes it easy for them to believe only the best - because government ain't about to hold itself accountable - and will feed Americans all the comforting lies they need to feel good about America.

And some of these same people claim they want change...lolololol


I'm beyond bitter about all this