WELL over a third of US combat troops deployed in Iraq condone torture to obtain information from insurgents and nearly one in 10 acknowledge mistreating civilians, a survey has found. picked by AutumnLotus 2 years ago

...but (you know there's a "but"). The definition of "torture" is subject to change at Bush's whim. Indefinite imprisonment of poorly defined "unlawful combatants" is allowed. Habeas corpus is suspended for detainees. Coerced testimony at trial is A-OK. Interrogators who may have engaged in torture are retroactively immunized. Witch-burning not specifically mentione... read full post picked by Galoot 2 years ago

"The abject failure of legal scholarship in the Office of Legal Counsel's analysis of torture suggests that what mattered was not that the reasoning was sound, or that the research was comprehensive, but that it delivered what the Bush administration wanted," Whitehouse said. picked by dollyllama 7 months ago

Although President Bush has stated that the United States has not and will not torture people, it has been learned that Mr. Bush himself has authorized the use of waterboarding on detainees (a practice previously prosecuted by the United States as a war crime), and has claimed the authority to do so again in certain circumstances. picked by dollyllama 9 months ago

"It is no wonder that this memo ... could not withstand scrutiny and had to be withdrawn," said Leahy, D-Vermont. "This memo seeks to find ways to avoid legal restrictions and accountability on torture and threatens our country's status as a beacon of human rights around the world." picked by dollyllama 8 months ago

“Kuntzkamera” is a museum in St. Petersburg founded by Russian Tsar Peter the First. He collected different weird stuff from all over Russia such as freaky people, animals preserved in alcohol, torture instruments, strange paintings and much more. Here are photos: picked by ogri2003 1 year ago

Although 59% were opposed to torture, 29% thought it acceptable to use some degree of torture to combat terrorism. picked by robfouryqr 2 years ago

The worst thing about medieval life was the unwavering evil of the Christian "justice" system and the tools of torture they employed. The following are the 20 worst torture devices of all time in order of sheer terror: picked by misswinkle 1 year ago

This disturbing new Amnesty International video reenacts CIA stress-position torture techniques. Oh, wait. Did I say disturbing? I meant to say, "Hells yeah, do whutever it takes to git them terrists!"

Not safe for work or children. picked by Galoot 12 months ago

"A new poll has Bush breaking a new nadir in presidential approval ratings, beating out Harry Truman’s 22% for the lowest support among Americans in the nation’s history." picked by gammerus 9 months ago

Six people arrested after Megan Williams was rescued in September had been charged with counts that carry maximum life sentences, but until Tuesday's indictments no one had been charged with a hate crime.

Update to this story. picked by dollyllama 10 months ago

Instead, state charges are being filed -- sexual assault and kidnapping -- which carry stronger penalties than federal hate crime charges. The victim, Megan Williams, 20, is black and all six suspects are white, which had raised the possibility of the federal charges. Update on this story. picked by AutumnLotus 1 year ago

A chilling trial is going on north of Oslo that revolves around a modern-day torture chamber, allegedly used by a Norwegian-Pakistani gang to terrorize members of a rival Moroccan gang. picked by suebe 2 years ago

The White House says President Bush will veto legislation on Saturday that would have barred the CIA from using waterboarding — a technique that simulates drowning — and other harsh interrogation methods on terror suspects. picked by TraumaMamma 9 months ago

These 6 by 6 small rooms have torture devices in them. They were found close to the Iranian border. picked by musicgirldani 2 years ago

An Al-Qaeda terror suspect captured by the United States, who gave evidence of links between Iraq and the terror network, confessed after being tortured.

Good thing we just legalized torture. picked by Alton 2 years ago

Hellerstein said he realized he did not give sufficient consideration to an earlier court ruling related to the legal issue and to ACLU evidence indicating all or parts of the memo may have been incorporated into or used to justify official practice and policy. picked by dollyllama 6 months ago

Various torture devices, some with whimsical names like "Pear of Anguish." picked by domeafavor 2 years ago

An informative, but a little disturbing, article about the torture and sexual abuse of prisoners held by the US government. Americans must hold accountable those who committed, or authorized, sex crimes in US-operated prisons and send a clear message that this bulls**t is NOT OK. picked by theclansman 4 months ago

Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama has opened up a 10-point lead over Republican opponent John McCain two weeks before the November 4 U.S. election, according to Wall Street Journal/NBC News poll released on Tuesday. picked by punthe 4 weeks ago