How Many Non-Terrorists Were Tortured by the U.S. Government?

[Better Believe It]

That's a question that needs to be answered by those responsible for approving and conducting the torture of terrorist "suspects".
Release ALL of the documents regarding this issue and we shall find out the answer to that and many more questions. We have a right to know what the government is doing and has done in our name.

We know that many, probably a majority, of those held by the government as "suspected"" terrorists in fact committed no crime and were not involved in any conspiracy to commit bombings or other terrorist acts. They were innocent of any crime and yet they were tortured.

The government had little or no evidence that the people tortured were guilty of terrorism. But yet, the apologists for torture want us to believe that everyone they held captive was a terrorist that had information vital to the safety and security of the American people. That's total b.s. A lie. And that big lie must be challenged.

[babylonsister]

1. That's a good question we'll probably never know the answer to.

Does make me wonder about all the people who have been released from Gitmo. What happened prior to their release?

[Better Believe It]

4. Unless we demand answers and release all relevant documents to the public

Let's have hearings and full disclosure.

If the government officials didn't do anything illegal and criminal what's the problem?

But, assuming the torture was criminal and those responsible are not prosecuted why should government officials and CIA agents worry about resuming torture at sometime in the future?

All is forgiven in the name of national unity and looking forward rather than backward.

I'm glad we didn't take that position regarding Nazi war criminals after World War II.

[Chuckleberry]

2. Torturing terrorists is as illegal as torturing non-terrorists

Just for the record.

[Better Believe It]

5. I agree. Of course. But, I think it's important to point out that non-terrorists were also victims

[rucky]

3. How many convictions of terrorism have we had?

How many trials?

These are other clear constitutional and human-rights violations we haven't even yet begun to address.

[Better Believe It]

6. The guy who was going to start his shoe on fire and burn his toes?

[baldguy]

7. Zero.

If they weren't "terrorists" before, then thy are now.

[Duer 157099]

8. I just read an account in Jane Mayer's book about one crucifixion

For anyone who has learned, in detail, what a crucifixion is and how it causes death (asphyxiation), this is exactly what happened to (at least) one detainee at Abu Ghraib. I'll have to find the details (I don't have the printed book, just the audiobook, so can't just flip to the page and see the names etc). But he was first beaten, 6 ribs broken, and then his hands cuffed behind him and then strung up (behind and above him) and secured to a barred window, so that he had to stand in order to be able to breathe - the exact same thing that a crucifixion causes -- the crucified must apply their weight to their hands and/or feet in order to breathe, and eventually they cannot do so anymore, and they suffocate.

Since this happened right after he was taken from his home, I don't know if he was just a suspect or they had real proof that he was a "terrorist" (so easy for them to throw that label on whoever they want) - but in any case, there's no question that he was murdered.

I keep hearing so many arguments saying that torture isn't that bad, at least it's not murder.

Well, but there ARE plenty of cases were it WAS murder!!

This whole thing, the fact that we even have to debate it, is disgusting.

[Better Believe It]

9. Those who approved or engaged in torture are terrorists!

Cheney and Bush are


One online dictionary defines terrorism at:

"An individual who uses violence, terror, and intimidation to achieve a result."

That definition certainly fits the CIA interrogators who tortured.

[Politicalboi]

10. I'm willing to bet

That none of them were terrorist. Not even the mastermind had anything to do with 9/11 unless he was working with our Government. We need full investigations of 9/11 to call any of these guys terrorist. Unless they have security passes and know how to set explosives to take buildings down I can't see it.

[Spider Jerusalem]

11. Why should the distinction matter? Torture is wrong. Doesn't matter who's on the receiving end.

[Better Believe It]

13. You're missing the point.

The government claims that only "terrorists" were captured and in some cases tortured. That's the big lie.

And most Americans believe that it was only terrorists who were illegally captured and held without charges by the government.

And that's why tens of millions of well meaning people supported the imprisonment of so-called "enemy combatants".

That false propaganda claim must be refuted.

[zbdent]

12. likely most of them ...

and I wonder how many of the torture videos went around the secure internet sites so that Repukes could enjoy their favorite form of pornography?

[DrToast]

14. 300 million...for 8 years...

;)