Torture strengthens Al Qaeda.

Take it from a senior interrogator who had daily contact with Al Qaeda combatants:

“One of Al Qaeda’s goals, it’s not just to attack the United States, it’s to prove that we’re hypocrites, that we don’t live up to American principles. So when we use torture and abuse, we’re playing directly into one of their stated goals.”

Waterboarding = Torture, says conservative talker

Chicago conservative talk show host Mancow Muller used to dismiss waterboarding as just “having water poured on your face” and “no big deal.” Then he experienced it.

According to the sergeant that administered the torture, most people last about 14 seconds. Mancow panicked and stopped it less than 6 seconds after the water started hitting his face.

Here’s an idea for everyone who supports the use of torture (I refuse to use the ridiculous euphemism being parroted by the mainstream media): you want it to be used in America’s name? You have to know exactly what it feels like. Anyone who issues an order for this torture to occur must experience it themselves before the order is valid.

In addition, I believe that as long as this torture remains an option to be used against “enemy combatants,” boot camp for all military personnel should include being waterboarded. This will help psychologically prepare our soldiers for what an enemy would justifiably do to them if they were captured.

There was a time when US POWs were treated with dignity and not tortured, expressly because the enemy knew we obeyed the Geneva Conventions and deserved humane treatment.

On Memorial Day 2009, let’s remember the principles for which our fallen have died. Let’s hold accountable those among us who violated them.

10 Things We’ve Learned About Gitmo Torture

1. Americans were abusing prisoners at Guantanamo.
2. Donald Rumsfeld approved the “enhanced” techniques.
3. FBI agents thought the treatment was wrong but did nothing to stop it.
4. The Bush Administration’s “policy of cruelty” was a mistake.
5. Torture gets you bad information.
6. Torturing detainees makes us less safe.
7. Administration lawyers who approved the harsh tactics are now under fire.
8. Jim Haynes, Donald Rumsfeld’s top lawyer at the Department of Defense, was one of those who justified the harsh tactics.
9. Haynes and his fellow administration lawyers are increasingly being challenged by others.
10. Never lecture a West Point graduate about military honor while trying to justify your own actions.

[The American News Project via The Real News Network]