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Human Rights Watch
Human Rights Watch commissioned a Syrian artist to produce sketches based on statements received from former detainees and security force defectors. They depict some of the most commonly used torture methods in detention centers across Syria. They are not representations of any specific individuals.
Syrian intelligence agencies are running torture centers where detainees are beaten with batons and cables, burned with acid, sexually assaulted and their fingernails torn out, Human Rights Watch said in a report released on Tuesday.
The New York-based rights group identified 27 detention centers across the country that it says intelligence agencies have been using since President Bashar Assad's government began a crackdown on pro-democracy protesters in March 2011.
Human Rights Watch documented more than 20 torture methods that "clearly point to a state policy of torture and ill-treatment and therefore constitute a crime against humanity."It conducted more than 200 interviews with people who said they were tortured, including a 31-year-old man who was detained in the Idlib area in June and made to undress.
"Then they started squeezing my fingers with pliers. They put staples in my fingers, chest and ears. I was only allowed to take them out if I spoke. The staples in the ears were the most painful," the man told Human Rights Watch.
Human Rights Watch
Detainees described being beaten on the soles of their feet with sticks and whips to the point that their skin was raw, their feet swollen and bleeding, making it impossible to walk.
"They used two wires hooked up to a car battery to give me electric shocks. They used electric stun-guns on my genitals twice. I thought I would never see my family again. They tortured me like this three times over three days," he said.
Another man, named “Elias” in the report, described how he was tortured by Syrian intelligence officers in Damascus.
“The guards hung me by my wrists from the ceiling for eight days. After a few days of hanging, being denied sleep, it felt like my brain stopped working. I was imagining things,” he said.
“My feet got swollen on the third day. I felt pain that I have never felt in my entire life. It was excruciating. I screamed that I needed to go to a hospital, but the guards just laughed at me,” he added.
Women, children, elderly people
The report found that tens of thousands of people had been detained by the Department of Military Intelligence, the Political Security Directorate, the General Intelligence Directorate, and the Air Force Intelligence Directorate.
So many people have been arrested that the authorities had used sports stadiums, schools and hospitals as detention centers, the report said.
From the front line in what looks ever more like a fight for Syria's capital Damascus, members of the Free Syrian Army appear to be closing in on President Assad's stronghold, at a terrible cost to both sides. NBC's Bill Neely reports.
The report said while most of the torture victims who spoke to the group were men aged 18 to 35, they also spoke to a number of women, children and elderly people who had been tortured.
“Interrogators, guards, and officers used a broad range of torture methods, including prolonged beatings, often with objects such as batons and wires, holding the detainees in painful stress positions for prolonged periods of time, often with the use of specially devised equipment, the use of electricity, burning with car battery acid, sexual assault and humiliation, the pulling of fingernails, and mock execution,” the report said.
It added that several former detainees told Human Rights Watch that they witnessed people dying as a result of torture.
'Mildest form of torture'
A former Syrian intelligence officer told the campaign group that the “mildest form of torture is hitting people with batons” on their arms and legs and “not giving them anything to eat or drink.”
“They used … and electroshock machine … it is a small machine with two wires with clips that they attack to nipples and a knob that regulates the currents,” he said. “In addition, they put people in coffins and threatened to kill them and close the coffin.”
At a meeting of Syrian opposition groups in Cairo on Tuesday, participants were unsurprised by the reports of torture.
"I, myself, and my son were victims. I spent eight years in prison,” George Sabra, spokesman for one of the best known opposition groups, the Syrian National Council, told NBC News in Cairo. “They used electricity (to torture me) and beat my legs.” Sabra said his son was also imprisoned twice and tortured more severely because he was a young man. They left Syria five months ago and are now living in Paris.
Khalaf Dahowd, president of the National Coordination Body's Congress in Exile, believes torture in Syria is overshadowed by worse crimes against humanity.
"The regime has committed massacres! Torture is an abuse of human rights. But massacres have happened," said Dahowd.
Aret Gabeau, of the Kurdish Center for Legal Studies and Consultancy, hoped the report would make others aware of the scope of suffering under President Bashar al- Assad's rule.
"I was very reassured to see that reports like this are being published so that those outside of Syria can truly be aware of the level of suffering being imposed on the people by Assad’s regime,” said Gabeau. “This is why the regime is so terrified of the press; they have so much power to undermine Assad further."
Syrian helicopters strike Damascus suburb
Human Rights Watch has called for the U.N. Security Council to refer the issue of Syria to the International Criminal Court (ICC) and to adopt targeted sanctions against officials carrying out abuse.
"The reach and inhumanity of this network of torture centers are truly horrific," Ole Solvang, emergencies researcher at Human Rights Watch said. "Russia should not be holding its protective hand over the people who are responsible for this."
PhotoBlog: On the road with Syria's rebel motorcycle army
Russia -- an ally of Syria -- and China have already vetoed two council resolutions that condemned Damascus and threatened it with sanctions and French U.N. Ambassador Gerard Araud told reporters on Monday that reaching a Security Council consensus to refer Syria to the ICC would be difficult.
"As France is concerned it's very clear we are very much in favor of referring Syria to the ICC," Araud said.
"The problem is it will have to be part ... of a global understanding of the council and I do think that for the moment we have not yet reached this point," he said.
U.N. human rights chief Navi Pillay on Monday reiterated her position that the issue of Syria's conflict should be referred to the ICC in The Hague because crimes against humanity and other war crimes may have been committed.
She said both sides appear to have committed war crimes.
The United Nations has said more than 10,000 people have been killed during the 16-month Syria conflict.
NBC News' Charlene Gubash and Joanna de Boer in Cairo contributed to this report. Reuters also contributed to this report.
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Leave a Comment:
Sunni Saudi, oil companies and their lobbyists' agents like UN and its agencies, human rights groups and their agents are highly partisan and they don't have much credibility.
They tried these tricks during Iraqi wars.
Sunni Saudis, al-Qaida, MB, Salaffi, Wahhabi inspired Sunni Islamic militants have unlimited torture and genocides methods.
Look at Darfur, Sudan, Somalia, Nigeria and other places.
Why are the they not speaking on them in the first place?
If atrocities and barbarism on girls, children and women are the criteria, then the most despotic, autocratic and bigoted Sunni Saudi ruler with his 5000 princes and princesses, Kuwaiti, UAE and other Arab League Sunni rulers and their rich sheiks are the biggest culprits in the history.
Through the Muslim immoral trafficking gangs, these barbarians have assembled all varieties of poor and helpless girls and women from all over the world in their harems and brothels.
In killing of opponents again, these people have established world records.
If the US, Britain and others support such Sunni barbarians and beasts who treat girls and women as cheap sex slaves and non-Muslims as jihadi materials, then one can only conclude that Saudis, oil companies and their lobbyists determine what to see, how to lecture and where and when to act.
Why don't the Saudis and co permit Bibles, Churches of other religions?
Are these bigoted barbarians so special that they can get away with murders by flashing monies?
Rest like “human rights”, “killing of children and women”, “terrorists”, “WMDs”, “chemical weapons” and so on are a pure hoax.
Exactly right. Only difference is, NO ONE here is buying it this time around.
Americans know this as well; by and large they have wised up to this ploy - not that the warmongering dolts in Washington will give up that easily.
@johnathan, you are a puzzlement, you say some things that are right on and than switch and go off in an other direction. I figure you have been no where and experienced nothing. Collage Student is my guess. Let me help you out here, there is an old saying, "politics makes strange bed fellows." This also applies to Wars. We may not like either side but you have to pick a side that may have something of your interest and go with them. What you call a Hoax is very much true. A lot of people associate a nuclear explosion with a missle attack now a days. Heck, if you got a Missle all you need is a (HE) High Explosive warhead. That alone is a lot of death and destruction unto itself. Chemical Weapons, every country over there has some different weaponery that they got over the years. We sold a bunch of small stuff to Iran and later on Iraq. Who knows what Syria got from the Russians or China that they haven't showed yet. They don't have to have these weapons but one must be prepared just in case if you want to live another day. Remember what we found after entering Iraq, the torture and all that part were real but unknown to us.
How interesting: suni and sudi's have torture methods just like Saddam and George bush. syria kills kids and old people just like saddam and George bush. im beginning to see a pattern. hey, didnt Saddam have a "republican guard"?
Ah, the religion of peace strikes again!
While traveling through Israel and the Golan Heights 2 weeks ago, we looked out over the Syrian border beyond the UN, which is on Israeli land. Such a destitute place! The following day, they were ordering evacuations!
These forms of what the Western Nations call "torture" is considered "Normal Operating Procedure" in the Middle East. What makes people believe that only the Syrian Government use these methods, when the Rebels (activist) that started this war don't use the same exact methodology? We are talking about people that live in "tribes" and believe that murdering anyone not of their "brand of Religion" is totally acceptable according to their beliefs. They have been fighting the same conflicts for centuries and the Western Nations are powerless to stop the cycle. It will continue for more centuries until one side no longer exist.
Pure hoax? No.. Attempt to get their oil? Yes!
Somewhere Dick Cheney is smiling. Paying close attention, hoping to pick up a few tips. It's not torture after all, it's "enhanced interrogation". At least when we do it...
Great to see this thread. And no one is buying the BS anymore. Just another WMD excuse to invade Syria and take over their oil. Funny that we care more about the treatment of people in oil producing countries than we do about people in countries like Darfur. I guess American compassion has a price tag connected to it.
Getting rid of Assad would help the most, why is this weasel still in power.
Syrian rebels, including Al Quida now our allies, have killed hundreds of innocent people to blame the Syrian government and start WW 3.. I believe most of USA is aware of the political games all governments play to win support for a baseless and useless war that will kill thousands of Syrians.
Reason? Gateway to a larger Iranian war...protection of oil pipelines going thru Syria to European countries.
The 99% of the citizens of the world are only pawns with no power.
6dogs: Can you spell "Collage" properly? If I give my background, then some will scream: he is bragging! So there is no need to go too much out of the main issues.
I am trying to pack many things in my post. Sometimes, some may have problem understanding it.
Many a times, politically incorrect messages become unpopular! If I had opposed Iraqi wars, I would have been abused most!
Let me sum up: Let the Sunnis and Shiites battle to their hearts content and let us keep away instead of wasting resources on enemies.
In the end, for both (Sunnis, Shiites, and other labels Muslims) US and West are enemy No. 1.
Its too bad that we as Americans, because of the actions of our government can no longer take the high ground when it comes to torture...We've gone from being the "good guys" to just "less bad" then our enemies.
Eerie how some of these methods are on the approved list for "interrogation" by the US CIA, NSA, the Whitehouse and Homeland Security. Will we see anything in the media discussing this? Not a chance. That would mean we have to be honest with ourselves and we know how America doesn't like being honest with itself.
Interesting. And the liberals go crazy cause we poured water on someones face? Just so you know the waterboarding is what helped catch Bin Laden. Now, let the hate filled rants fly.
torture has been used as a means of control for many years and decades, thats how they control the people with fear, and try to get you to believe what they believe and say what they say and if you object, they will torture you until your dead, and in there eyes its no big deal another infidel is not in the way anymore.....So why do we think that we can change the way they think by war, i dont think so, people will torture and continue to use torture to get what they want.......Its sad but true.....and just my thoughts.....
Taking after us I suppose!!!
Finally posts like Joe B's and Jonathan's have begun to recognize that there are two sides here. Human Rights Watch (and others) only highlight one side because that fits their agenda. There is torture and killing on both sides of this civil war. And it is a civil war, not a"revolution for freedom". The "innocent" civilians mentioned daily in the press are the ones shown here with the RPGs and the AK-47s. This is centuries old tribe against tribe, sunni against shiite. And be careful of taking sides. The "uprisings" we supported throughout the area are now turning into bastions of islamic sharia, not the democracies previously envisioned.
Why do you lefties hate America? All i see here is you folks on the left crapping all over America. If you dont like it get out! Happy 4th of July to the people who defend this country and actually love America.
@Irish 21...as a veteran of the United States military, our right to speak out, especially AGAINST our the corrupt and disdainful policies of our own government, is PROTECTED by our military. If you don't like the freedom of speech in this country, go to a dictatorship. Your sarcastic Happy 4th is empty of the true blood shed for ALL people to have the privilege and Constitutional right to speak their minds!!! Get a life you idiot....
PS- your rhetoric is right out of Fixed News...try something new for a change......thinking for your self!!!
Get this straight, the longer you ignore a problem, the worse it gets.
Now I read the comments of some fools here talking about WMD's like they never existed or something (forget the fact that they were used on Iranians and Kurds, and tons of them destroyed after the first Gulf War). Don't worry, your beloved Obama isn't going to lift a finger to help the Syrian people. It's OK. He will definitely NOT bomb Syria to destroy their WMD's (AND THEY HAVE TONS OF THEM, MAKE NO MISTAKE!). But your Obama will do nothing about it, don't you worry.
The only problem is that thousands of Al Qaeda terrorists have gone into Syria over the past 15 months, since they saw a great opportunity to come in with all the chaos in that country and with no prospect of any western intervention. Thousands of Al Qaeda fighters who would love to get their hands on Assad's chemical weapons!
Now, I love how some liberals point to the fact that Al Qaeda are also fighting the Assad regime to pretend like all the opposition is the same, so the west shouldn't help the people of Syria who genuinly want to be free of that brutal dictator. Like the fact that Al Qaeda also went into Lybia after Obama's brave decision to bomb from the air and not put any troops on the ground so Al Qaeda and others were able to waltz in and take all the weapons and fill the vacuum. But Al Qaeda didn't make up the entire opposition. In fact they only came in late in the game.
Al Qaeda is only one faction trying to position itself for the day After Assad falls. And due to the inaction of the coward-in-chief Hussein Obama, Al Qaeda fighters (who are fine to kill with drones when they're in Pakistan, or Yemen, or Somalia, but CANNOT be touched if they're in Syria for some reason!) the same Al Qaeda who attacked the U.S. on 9/11 will be allowed to get chemical weapons which they will use against American and western targets. But don't worry, Obama won't bomb Syria! Obama won't send any troops to secure chemical weapons. Don't worry. You can sleep well tonight because Obama won't make any speeches about evil doers, or WMD's.
Sleep tight, until those WMD's come to an office building near you...
It's not our problem. Let them tear each other to pieces. The USA needs to worry about the USA. Lets start by focusing our efforts on JOBS and the ECONOMY. I'm sure our "allies" can handle the Syria problem if they'd like to.
Thanks Irish, finally someone whom loves this country says something on this thread. As a gulf war veteran I am tired of the left always putting the United States down. I'm certainly not surprised by them claiming that Bush and Chenney did what is going on in Syria, it's amazing how they love to demonize anyone and everyone that they do not agree with.
Now, lefties, NO ONE agrees with the torture tactics discribed in this article. Water boarding is not the same as what is going on in Syria. It has also been proven that we recieved good intel from the water boarding. I'm sure that you as well as the reasonable thinkers in this country do not want another attack on the United States.
I just wish we could all get along. I don't think Democrats are evil I just don't agree with some of your ideas, is that so bad? There are some things we can all agree on. I'm sick of the divide in this country and those of you that continually demonize those that don't see things your way seem to enjoy throwing wood on the fire. It's stupid.
@george pauljohn suni and sudi's have torture methods just like Saddam and George bush"?
How pathetic you are.
how come these blogs always bring up politics when it not part of the article...........
Gather several thousand liberals...send them there to get this crap stopped...think they are little beyond water boarding so it might tough for the liberal pantie wastes.
May I educate you on the rank and file Republicans/Tea Bangers?
These are the segment of society who are so bigoted that they will gladly endure hardship for the opportunity to spew their hate and ignorance on those they need to feel superior to. The GOP understands this and are masters of manipulating their hate into votes for GOP candidates. Hate clouds human reasoning and no one hates like a person jazzed up on fear.
The GOP sells fear like a carnival barker sells ticket to see the circus.
Not a damn one of those Faux Noize, Beckerhead, Fatbo, Boortz, or Lush and host of other right-wing-hate mediums ... actually believes the crap they spew, but they know there are those who will love it.
Sadly, that seems to be about 48% of Americans. We are locked in a battle of cultures and there is no end in sight. I often envy the UK and AUS and NZ for their lack of Evangelical zealots in huge numbers.
thank you for pointing that out howaboutthis the poor folks who have endured this torture is unfathomable, my heart goes out to them....If anyone of us were put in this position we would sing like a canary at the mere idea of any of these being used on us....I know i would.....
Monkey see, monkey do.
sorry itgranny wrong article you want the one with the monkeys in it.......
If we want people to stop acting like animals, we need to stop action like them ourselves.
If anyone is surprised that the world is an evil place, you are naive and live a sheltered life. What is happening in Syria is the norm, not the exception. These things have happened since the beginning and will happen long after we are gone. And please, do not be so naive to think that evil does not reside in the US. People live here, don't they? Then evil resides here as well.
alwayzright
Ever heard of the Newsvine CoH ?
My only question is, why is anyone surprised?
I love it :D Us lefties love to demonize everyone and everything we disagree with, according to Scott. But you don't see him yelling at reanderson for advocating sending us to Syria to be tortured. DANG, you sure are tolerant.
What!...Torture!...no way, in syria? you gotta be kidding, well I never....Imagine that....
Tea hobbit...who's spewing the crap now?
well i ain't going to syria...them folks be all messed up...and hurt'n each other...dang them goofy suckers...ain't got a brain...do they...get funky tonight...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r9Zimpr_8zs
ok factofthematter im not advocating we all run to syria for our torture session...Just imagine for a moment what these people had to endured during these torture sessions....(put yourself in there shoes for a minute and imagine the horror)....If ya can of course....Thats all im suggesting...
I don't believe reports from any 'interested' parties on either side of this conflict. They are all just war propaganda and yellow journalism meant to induce other factions to get involved in the conflict.
The UN and the US needs to STFU and leave these people to eat each other. Obama's recent backing of his 'Arab Spring' has only served to screw up the middle east and nothern Africa even more. Stay out of these peoples issues. They will resolve it themselves, one way or another.
Meanwhile Wikileaks released the same type of info about the USA and they are on a crusade to rid the earth of that evil man... lol. And the news wont touch the info with a 10 ft. pole. Bizzaro how hypocritical we are.
Actually it's been proven (by USA) that torture NEVER yields good info. Think about it--you'd make something up or agree to whatever your torturers wanted to make them end your pain. Put yourself in their shoes. You'd say anything to make the torture stop.
Just human nature!
Thats true what? I do agree with that statement......
These savages still use torture. Free nations rely on special interrogation techniques.
Yeah, the savage Cheney-Bush regime did torture the right way--water boarding, attack dogs, electrical shocks to the testicles, etc., "techniques" for which we prosecuted Japanese after WWII. Of course they farmed a lot of it out to other countries--all the while telling the American people that "we don't torture." Righties still defend this tragedy that brought shame to our nation and soiled out honor.
If any care to check it out.......we used to send suspected terrorists to Syria for torture with our extraordinary rendition programs and until recently maintained an embassy in Syria.
i forgot all about that, bud lol. Funny how the right wing cant even see it's own shadow.
Interrigation Technics? Torture? I don't think that there is to much a hill of beans difference between the two. The term just applies to who is doing it.
6dogs,
I think that was Samo's tongue-in-cheek point.
I guess we can just categorize how civilized we think we are by how many torture techniques we put to use... extra points for being creative and points are additive, so use them often!
That was tongue-in-cheek as well.
I too remember the U.S. government under Bush/Cheney 'rendering' people to Syria to be tortured. When I would ask pro-Bush people about it they just gave me a blank stare. Same blank stare as when I ask what we were still doing in Iraq when Osama Bin Laden was in Afghanistan/Pakistan.
I ask what we were doing sending someone to Syria when they are supposed to be our enemies. No one had an answer. Turns out they were 'partners' in torturing people for information.
And now Republicans want back in power? No thanks. President Obama took the focus off Iraq and put it in Afganistan/Pakistan where it should have been eight years ago. And he's not propping up the Syrians to continue their repressive barbarity like the war-hawks of the Republican party would do. It is truly sickening what our government resorted to. Anyone who wants to go back to that is deranged or deluded.
$5 says this is another 'policy' that obama has kept, just like he kept the patriot act, and gitmo.
The charicature of the Syrian regime depicted by Western media would almost be comical if it weren't so widely believed to be true by us. Genocide, torture "networks", targeted killings of innocent children - is there any ghoulist form of evil that this regime isn't supposedly engaging in? I'm just waiting for a headline of "Assad Twiddles Mustache and Strokes Cat Inside His Underground Lare" to come across the screen one of these days...
And yet, strangely even the most fantastically unreliable and overestimated accounts of the death toll put the number at no more than 12,000. For a country of 17 Million people then these statistics suggest that the bloodshed per capita in Syria over the past 12 months isn't substatially more than the homicide rate per capita in Detroit.
well said
I'd like to add my opinion, but my own country has lost all credibility in this area. And on a happy note, D. Cheney gasped through another horrible day yesterday. God'll get ya.
That's right....God will get you too. What makes you any better? You are sitting here wishing someone to die. Be careful for what you wish for cause you may just suffer the same fate...Or worse. All high and mighty but when you come down to it you are no different.
These guys would make the Dick and King Georgie PROUD!
We have used water-boarding since WW II.
FYI
Oh! Okay then it's perfectly alright. I wish I'd known that before.
Woodshed,
and that somehow makes it right??
It saved Americans lives, which liberals don't care about.
yeah, a man will say anything to get away from a bitchin'.....
Yes, torture is so much worse than lobbing cruise missiles. So what if the occasional wedding party or other innocents are obliterated, as long as it's Obama and his toadies doing the killing?
I see your point.
We have not "legally" used waterboarding since WWII and it's use, up until Bush/Cheney, was undisputed. Japanese soldiers were hanged for using it against U.S. soldiers. Under Governor GW Bush a Texas sheriff was sentenced to 10 years for waterboarding. During the Vietnam War U.S. generals designated waterboarding as illegal. It never became legal, otherwise it would be legal for your local law enforcement to use against you. It leads to false confessions. We already get those under less duress by law enforcement. Khalid Sheikh Mohammed continued to lie (admitted by CIA) after being waterboarded and gave false information to take attention off Osama Bin Laden's courier. Waterboarding hales back to the Spanish Inquisition where confessions were the norm.
It is a dangerous method and according to the CIA's Office of Medical Services the subject may simply give up and in effect drown. Mock executions are illegal under international law and the process of waterboarding makes the person believe they are going to die. A wide range of respected authorities believe it to be torture including legal experts, war vets, intel officers, and military judges.
The whole reason we have legal standards is to protect those falsely accused. Waterboarding is just another sickening chapter in U.S. history where abuse was condoned and legal norms ignored. People still trying to justify it is like trying to justify vigilante justice. It has no place in civil society or a moral mentality.
These are Muslims. You were expecting maybe putting underwear on there heads or exposing naked women and rock music to them? LOL. All one has to do is read the Koran and you would know that they don't belong in todays world and we should not be importing them to western countries. Islam should be banned in all western countries, just as Christianity is banned in Saudi.
Sorry to disappoint you, larry, but there are no such writings in the Koran. The Koran has been misinterpreted just as the Bible has been, passages taken out of context, words changed to push personal agendas. We have our own brand of Christianity that parallels whatever you think you know is in the Koran. Is it a surprise to you that 98% of Muslims want what you want? That the 2% that have the money to sell their propaganda and have instilled hate and fear in Muslims against Americans, just as we've done here in the U.S.? Wise up and look beyond. Saudi is untouchable mainly because it still has very close ties to the Bush family; Christianity is not banned, but heavily taxed in Saudi.
On the one hand, all religions that harbor violence should be banned, it's time for Buddhism, Zen, and those collections of cultural systems that enhance humanity rather than destroy. No need for any commandments, rules, jihads, etc. Simply follow: Do No Harm. On the other hand, there are those who need to have a community of violence to vent their uncontrollable rage and there lies the rub. Can't please everyone.
Basically, all religions had some good to offer, than they go off on the leaders' tangents. That's the human way.
"On the other hand, there are those who need to have a community of violence to vent their uncontrollable rage and there lies the rub. Can't please everyone."
Guilty as charged... I love a good fight. Now bring your face to my hand!
So we could be better than them by doing exactly what they do. Interesting...
Once again we hear the little boy crying wolf !!!!
As we all know this has been going on for centuries . This story is just the latest attempt to drag us into another stupid war that we can avoid . Let the bed-sheets and towel heads clean up their own mess for a change . I know the bottom line here is OIL. Let them drown in the stuff !!!!! If we had a functioning government , than we would not have a problem with oil . But what do I know ???? As I am not employed by big oil nor am I in government at any level. Just sick and tired of these stupid senseless wars. Which are all for PROFIT of the Military / Industrial Complex .
No way Obama would take us in. As the Israeli Prime Minister said after meeting with Obama it was clear no matter what Iran did Obama wasn't interested in military action so they've postponed any attempts until the elections hoping for a change. Obama will no more go after Syria than he would Iran.
@larry, I agree with you on this.
And this is a good thing.
-- The United States has quietly moved significant military reinforcements into the Persian Gulf to deter the Iranian military from any possible attempt to shut the Strait of Hormuz and to increase the number of fighter jets capable of striking deep into Iran if the standoff over its nuclear program escalates..
..as one senior administration official put it last week, “When the president says there are other options on the table beyond negotiations, he means it.”
Yeah....So...
Thank goodness we have a patient, wise President Obama at the helm. All during the crises that have arisen during Prez Obama's term, he has maintained a sane, calm demeanor. Kind of grown up, isn't it? Exactly what we expect from a President, a leader. We need to keep this President, at least for another 4 years. And let's support a strong Democratic Congress to get jobs and opportunities steamrolling across this country. We may not have the money to beat the repub/tparty Big Money corporatists, but we have the power in our vote. Let's do it!
EARTHGIRL,
You like in a dream world don't you.
It's called life in the United States.
I just threw up in my mouth a bit. Obama....Grown up..... Oxymoron.
Earthgirl , What planet are you living on!!!
And for the Zionist media who printed this, there is no greater torture regime than Israel who tortures Palestinian children. Our media is such a disgusting mess that it nauseates me. It amazes me how hacks can earn a living doing this type of "reporting" that amounts to spewing out vomitous propaganda for the US torture regime. Why didn't you mention this story when our government was sending the same type of jihadists we are now supporting there to be tortured by Assad's regime? The US tortured scores of people to death in Iraq when it was people from Saudi Arabia who attacked us. We tortured Iraqi people because they resisited in illegal invasion that was perpetrated under the false pretense, as we now know, Iraqis had nothing to do with 9/11. Now everybody in the entire world knows Iraq had nothing to do with 9/11 and it was al Qaeda sent and supported by the Saudi government, a government Bush conspired with to commit treason against the US to take our nation to war under false pretenses for regime change. Why is it this key fact is always omitted by the mainstream media? I am a retired US military officer and it angers me that our people let our corrupt government off the hook and become purposely ignorant. America is not the home of the free and land of the brave. We are ignorant and docile and do and believe whatever our Zionist-pandering politicians and media tell us. How can people who read and believe this type of nonsense as news be informed. Of course we know Syria tortured. In fact, often it tortured for the US and was a favorite rendition destination. Maybe that is why so many jihadists want to get rid of Assad. Maybe he cooperated with the US and tortured too many Sunni al Qaeda of the variety we are now funding. This is the type of stupid media we have to put up with in the US.
The only problem with your rant is Bush's transfering terrorist suspects to countries where they could and were tortured was was widely reported by the media including MSN. If you're trying to claim the media never mentioned Abu Ghurab, the fact WMD's weren't found in Iraq, that Bush and Cheney authorized torture, that most of the terrorists were Saudi's, that suspects were transfered to countries willing to torture then i don't know what news you've been reading. Everyone else knows it.
Israel does not torture Palestinian people...you have been brainwashed.
Joseph: It's as you posted and then some. Thank you.
Jennifer: The treatment of the Palestinians has been and is documented. It is fact not some mythical propaganda. It continues to this day.
Don't forget, the joooooos eat Palestinian children as well. They say they taste just like halal chicken.
Israel our true friend??
Then why did it attack the USS Liberty??
With "friends" like that who needs enemies??
I do not blame the people of Israel, but I do hold the governments accountable. People, the real people, all over the world want one thing - peace. I've traveled the world and never met an average person who enjoys war / killing / torture.
Israel does not torture Palestinian people...you have been brainwashed
This is a REAL FUNNY STATEMENT. NO they do not Torture the Palestinian people BUT THEY ONLY KILLED THEM. AND THEY KILLED MILLIONS of the Palestinian people and caged them up like dogs. Thats worst then torture. Like the west they also killed MILLIONS of Iraqis And and TORTURED PEOPLE. The SAUDIS the worst worst government in the world when it come down to human rights. The human right groups and the UN is the biggest propaganda put on this earth to suit the western interest. Bring our TROOPS HOME the poor soldiers are dying for nothing Only for these people who are worried about their wealth and their greed. Our US soldiers should been here in the USA and protecting our borders. RON PAUL 2012
VOTE RON PAUL 2012
Looks like we are trying to persuade public opinion against Syria...
Must be the next war zone...
They're just prepping us in case Romney wins of course if he uses the same people as Bush and Cheney for legal advise they couldn't even call what's done torture.
Wow Larry, we could have almost gotten through your post until your word "ADVISE" destroyed any possibile attempt at an educated post. Nice try, get a hobby and stop being a troll
Advice. We all love spelling Nazi's.
Larry, didn't the Democrats vote in favor war? And didn't Obama keep the wars going and added a few more conflicts?
RGculver you are the apitimy of America? What war did Obama start? You are the kinda dumb historian that thinks Regan was the greatest president and that he actually had something to do with the berlin wall coming down. SAD go back school.
Maybe water boarding isn`t so bad after all.
Yes,we condemn them for what we do in Gitmo Bay. At least they are honest enough to just do it at home while we pretend that we are above it, while doing it "off U.S. soil". This is more war propaganda from the profiteering elitists that now run the U.S.
Gitmo is US soil.
ralph1994......
no,it is not USA soil. it is Cuban soil. we took the base when Castro came to power. it is a armed compound that is patrolled daily. i spent 13 months there and worked with the minefield team. glad to leave there.
That's the main reason, this outside of the U.S. torture, that the criminal regime of bush/cheney did not allow the U.S. to join the World Court. They knew what they were doing under the guise of "no U.S. citizen to be tried by any World Court." And with the Bushies buying that 100,000 spread in 2006 in Paraguay, that has no extradition laws with the U.S., good move. Google it or try www.whatdoesitmean.com/index955.htm. If a repub/tparty gets in, we'll just have more of the same, war, fear, war, hate, larger deficit hidden, bankrupting the SS program to pay for their wars, all the while the war mongers fatten their portfolios. Vote Democratic in all elections.
OK. It's a perpetually leased property, not owned. I stand corrected.
If done by a woman to a man, it's called rough sex!
or assault with a friendly weapon
At a meeting of the pro rebel Syrian NATO Countries someone got a quick chill and yelled out; "Would someone please close that door to Russia and China." again. Flash Ladies and Gentlemen...It's the cold war all over again. Will Putin push the Button? Are rich people who are buying those bunker condos smart? No matter how much money you have dummies, a Nuclear War may not affect your human nature long but I'm sure the world, the planet, and those to be born will be effected greatly. I would just like to see some of those B movies with guys like Putin as the target getting his brains eaten for a change. Hey Putin...What do you accomplish this time? Don't worry about breaking the US banks. Obama is smart enough to see through that and is ending it. Besides all the conflicts you are currently supporting won't be supported by your natural gas reserves when the poison you slap down onto the planets surface begins to fight back. Oh and by the way... Do you have one of those underground condos here in the US??? I'm sure in Russia they'll be poison to the touch.
Oh my word, shut up.
I don't believe a word this group any other says. Why? Because the the rebels are doing the same thing. We just have not heard that side yet because the U.N. is protecting them with their own agenda.
Those pictures proof nothing. That so called "humanitarian group" could be paying any number of people to say this or say that.
War is hell. If anyone thinks any one plays nice in war, any war since the beginning of wars has their head up their butt.
And I suppose those that survive torture and relate their stories are are just faking their wounds too?
DaTroofHurts got it right. Either the CIA taught them well or else it's part of the overall job offshore outsourcing effots, the US sends people to syria so they can tortured. Great upholder of human rights, the US.
No names, no photographs, then he said, she said, and... reported by MSNBC (!!!).Does it make any sense to you? Why should anyone trust this crap?
Republicans are envious.
And so are the Democrats who first used water-boarding for the United States.
Mommy Mommy , he did it first. /(pout) Actually you are full of it.
Mommy Mommy, Republicans do bad things but not Democrats. /(pout..poop)
Looks like the CIA beating down an Iraqi prisoner...PROPAGANDA to beat the war drum against Syria...Total BS
The New World Order is good...
Once upon a time there was a pathetic government who tortured its people to control them. They did mean bad thing and nobody did anything about it. So it continues to happen. This kind of crap will never end.
...because torture is so much worse then point gunships into a crowd and mowing them dowm.
ROFL , American media is so corrupt and ridiculous it is hilarious.
Typical MSNBC bull@!$%#.
America sets up China to perform all of the manufacturing for our products, enables China to become the richest and most powerful, has failed to keep China from pilfering all of our technology and now we watch China sit on their hands and support Syria in torture and mass murder activities.
Let's see...Russia and China support Syria and Iran.
Our elected officials did a great job over the past 20 years to sell out America and bring us down. Why don't America "stand their ground" and tell China we will end our relationship with them on their human rights track record? Ending our relationship with China would settle the score of our debt to them, bring manufacturing back to USA.
China has about $8 bill invested in Syrias oil infrastructure. Out side of that they don't seam to have an interest in Syria. They are just sitting on the sideline watching to see what happens. I'm with China here every country pretty much has their Civil War. It's a part of Countries histories, including ours. Actually the Rebels seam to be doing pretty good, they're knocking on Assads Door.
Very good observation and very true. However, you didn't blame all of this on Bush so you won't get any sympathy from this crowd.
Because of US greed if you have cheep labor are oil you can be a friend with the USA
Each and every one of these documented torture methods should be publicly demonstrated on Assad and his wife.
Torture has been going on since the beginning of time. When it comes to any country's national security and information needs to be obtained, torture is used. Is it right, no, but it will continue to go on. When torture is used and it's not a matter of national security, then something has to be done to stop it. Russia and China condone such torture by backing Syria. Of course as long as they vote "no" in the UN security council, nothing can be done. As usual, the UN is totally useless and needs to be abolished. It's time to just let countries work out their own problems and keep our fighting men and women at home and stop foreign aid. The money we send to other countries is just used for military purposes and lining the politicans pockets.
Torture is wrong in any circumstance.
If torture is used to obtain information that saves the lives or your loved ones, would you still feel the same way?
torture is wonderful if it gives you information and saves American lives..... I have used it successfully, and believe me, it works. One would think that by now that liberals would have learned that we cant fight wars the way politicians and pansy libs want to fight. You fight to win, and scare the crap out of your enemy, and kick the living @!$%# out of him anyway you can. Collateral damage is ok too..... if you dont want to get hit, then stay the heck away from the troublemakers.
America is in decline going the way of the Dodo bird.
How long more will China finance USA's wars.
Kill 'em all. Let God sort 'em out.
Oh, and if we have to pull the occasional finger nail to save an American life, so be it.
I choose the side of us.
Axel: I choose the side of us too. That's why I'm opposed to torture; it isn't us as we stand for something different than that. Torture is them and I don't want to be like them.
dslsca - If we are going to fight like libs want us to, then we may as well throw up the surrender flag and fly it right now and hand over our country to the muslims. Have you people not leared yet, that you cannot fight a war with rules, and the way politicians want? If your not going to go in there and kill them all and win at any cost, then sit your ass at home and surrender to the muslims and wait for Sharia Law to come and then get your head chopped off for being an infidel....... Im for winning, and for torture, and kicking some real ass.
sugarb: I'm frankly much more worried about the fundamentalist Christians imposing their beliefs on the nation than I am about Sharia Law coming here. We beat the Nazis without resorting to torture, so I'm guessing we can do the same to Al Qaeda.
dslsca...you are so naive. Who told you we didn't torture Nazis?, and why do you hate Christians? Have you ever lived under Sharia Law...do you have any idea what the doctrine of Sharia is?
Christians are the most tollerant people on this planet, why you and your liberal friends hate Christians is beyond me.
DavidG: And your evidence that I "hate Christians" is that I don't want Christian beliefs to be imposed on me by law?? Hmmmmmmm.
We prosecuted Nazis at Nuremberg for the same "enhanced interrogation" techiniques we use now.
I don't know if I've "lived under Sharia Law"; I've certainly visited Muslin nations.
I don't want to live under fundamentalist "christian" law either.
Please tell me what Christian ever chopped the head off of anyone..... Please tell me what Christian kills their children because they like rock music.... Please tell me what Christian has ever taught their kids to hate Americans and to strap bombs on their kids and sent them out to kill woman and children? You idiots are so naive, and sit back and spout your liberal bull @!$%# around like yall are too good for anyone else, and that includes the Marxist president also..... You kill you torture, and you annihilate the enemy, anyway you can, and thats the name of that game... If you libs want Sharia Law, then get your asses out of this country and go join the Muslim Brotherhood that your president is all for....
and dslca, the next time you go visit your muslim friends, please stay their and enjoy the people that want us all dead, but dont come back here.
sugarb: Christians hanged witches and burned them at the stake; Christians tortured people during the Inquisition; Christians persecuted their own (just ask Joan of Arc); Christians started a long series of bloody religious wars (the Crusades, the 30 Years War, the English Civil War); Christian kings like Henry VIII asbolutely beheaded people.
This "Christian" nation routinely flies aircraft into buildings to kill people (what else are Tomahawk Cruis Missiles other than aircraft and they certainly hit buildings).
Calling people who disagree with you "idiots" is a violation of the Newsvine COH.
you never answered my question..... Muslims right now are killing women and children... I dont care what happened a thousand yrs ago, im talking about today.... the muslims are getting worse by the day, and act like nothing short of the vermin they are. I said liberals are idiots including you, because apparently you have a love for the people that want us all dead, so yes, that includes anyone that loves the people that according to their religion, want us all dead. Nothing personal, but i find it really strange how anyone in their right mind goes along with the killing of children and women, the chopping off the heads of anyone, the hanging and setting afire of American soldiers... yes i find that really hard to not call someone an idiot for siding with these animals. What i truly find that is troublesome, is that a liberal democrat can call someone like Sara Palin a "@!$%#ing whore" and never have a problem with Newsvine, but if anyone questions obama, or says something derogatory about an entire group that wants to see us all dead, they will get kicked off..... go figure that out.
Muslims are humans, not vermin.
You've had it pointed out to you that calling fellow Newsviners "idiots" is against the rules. Enjoy your suspension.
humans do not want us all dead.... humans do not strap bombs on kids and send them to kill woman and children... humans do not teach little kids to hate infidels (americans) from cradle to grave. humans do not send their kids out to fight a was as soon as they are old enough to walk, humans do not stone women for not covering their face, humans do not chop peoples heads off and make videos of it. In other words, muslims are pig @!$%# animals that we are better off killing then wait for them to come over here
If they suspend me for telling the truth, then so be it.... I guess they will say they side with the people that kill innocents and their religion calls for death to all infidels..... now thats really something nice to be for...... Can you tell me something...??? Where the heck are your brains???
What i find really interesting in todays world is the more people get educated, the dumber they really get. I would home school my kids in todays society, rather than send them to school and have them turned into liberal democrat socialists, like they have some people on here..... I just cant figure out how someones brain gets so warped that they cant see what is going on in the world today, and what group of people are doing this. All the education in the world does not buy you smarts..... making threats, and childish behavior is right up some peoples alley, and after reading some of the posts by a so called educated person on here, i find that a good spanking would be in order and maybe some good ole Sharia Law too...
No rules in war and no rules in what you believe to be true. Peter