Torture!
I am a veteran of Korea, Vietnam, and Desert Storm. I have taught the laws of war in the National Guard many times. The military regulations against torture are not a gift given to the enemy. The prohibition against torture is for the protection of the people in the United States military. The people in our military cannot expect better treatment than that which we give to our enemies. This regulation dates back to General Washington in the Revolutionary War.
I find it difficult to accept the statements by Judge Michael B. Muchasey and other government officials that they are not sure if water-boarding is torture. The United States has prosecuted military officers for water-boarding in the past, for example, Japanese officers after World War II.
Any government official or nominee for a position that would make policy regarding interrogation methods who is not willing to state clearly verbally and in writing that water-boarding is illegal torture should be required to undergo water-boarding. If he or she then still states that water-boarding is not torture his decision should be accepted. This procedure should be required for the President, Vice-President, Secretary of Defense, Director of the CIA, and the Attorney General.
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