Senate Votes To Ban Waterboarding 51-45, Bush Will Veto
WASHINGTON - The Senate voted Wednesdy to prohibit the CIA from using waterboarding and other harsh interrogation methods on terror suspects despite President Bush’s threat to veto any measure that limits the agency’s interrogation techniques.
The prohibition was contained in a bill authorizing intelligence activities for the current year. The bill would restrict the CIA to the 19 interrogation techniques outlined in the Army field manual. That manual prohibits waterboarding, a method that makes an interrogation subject feel he is drowning. The bill passed on a 51-45 vote.
The House had approved the measure in December, so Wednesday’s Senate vote set up a confrontation with the White House, where Bush has promised to veto any bill that restricts CIA questioning.
Arguing for such restrictions, Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Jay Rockefeller, D-W.Va., said the use of harsh tactics would boomerang on the United States.
“Retaliation is the way of the world. What we do to others, they will do to us—but worse,” Rockefeller said. “This debate is about more than legality. It is also about morality, the way we see ourselves … and what we represent to the world.”
The legislation bars the CIA from using waterboarding, sensory deprivation or other harsh coercive methods to break a prisoner who refuses to answer questions. Those practices were banned by the military in 2006.
CIA Director Gen. Michael Hayden said last week that current law and court decisions, including the Detainee Treatment Act of 2005, cast doubt on whether waterboarding would be legal now. Hayden prohibited its use in CIA interrogations in 2006; it has not been used since he said.
The Detainee Treatment Act of 2005 prohibited cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment for all detainees in U.S. custody, including CIA prisoners.
In comments last week to the House Intelligence Committee, Hayden acknowledged for the first time publicly that the CIA has used waterboarding against three prisoners.
The technique is still officially in the CIA tool kit but it requires the consent of the attorney general and president on a case-by-case basis.
Hayden warned Congress that if the CIA were limited to military techniques, it would adhere to them without wavering, even if it meant failing to get urgent and crucial information. He contends the CIA has different interrogation needs than the military and requires more latitude.
“I guarantee you we will live within those confines of any statute of that nature. But you have to understand there would be no exceptions,” he said.
Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein of California, backed by Senate Republicans Olympia Snowe of Maine and Chuck Hagel of Nebraska, inserted the provision in December into a bill providing guidelines for the running of U.S. intelligence agencies this year.
The 19 approved interrogation techniques in the military field manual include “good cop/bad cop,” “false flag”—making prisoners think they are in the custody of another country—and the separation of a prisoner from other prisoners for up to 30 days at a time.
It prohibits military interrogators from hooding prisoners or putting duct tape across their eyes. They may not be stripped naked or forced to perform or mimic sexual acts. They may not be beaten, electrocuted, burned or otherwise physically hurt. They may not be subjected to hypothermia or mock executions. It does not allow food, water and medical treatment to be withheld, and dogs may not be used in any aspect of interrogation.
(AP)
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“Retaliation is the way of the world. What we do to others, they will do to us—but worse,” Rockefeller said. “This debate is about more than legality. It is also about morality, the way we see ourselves … and what we represent to the world.”
What a complete asshat. When terrorists already gut and decapitate American soldiers that they capture please explain to me you moron, Rockerfeller, how it can get any worse?
Fucking idiot.
February 13th, 2008 at 3:30 pmDon’t count on the senate to protect this country. If Bush vetoes this he will have his thumb in the dike of liberalism.
February 13th, 2008 at 3:31 pm“Retaliation is the way of the world. What we do to others, they will do to us—but worse,” Rockefeller said. “This debate is about more than legality. It is also about morality, the way we see ourselves … and what we represent to the world.”
What a complete asshat. Explain to me dumbass how it can get anyworse for American soldiers taken prisoner considering they have killed and beheaded just about all of them? Fucking idiot.
February 13th, 2008 at 3:32 pmIm for it!!! Whats that? No I meant waterboarding, not the senate’s decision.
February 13th, 2008 at 3:36 pmWay to encourage our enemies, demmies.
February 13th, 2008 at 3:41 pmif retaliation is the way of the world,, then go to gitmo and start lopping heads.. and do it on tv so as all can see..j.rockhead is a typical moron..
February 13th, 2008 at 3:43 pmThe vote summary - -
February 13th, 2008 at 3:43 pmhttp://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=110&session=2&vote=00022#top
Just one more reason W is more conservative than mccan’t
February 13th, 2008 at 3:47 pm“Retaliation is the way of the world. What we do to others, they will do to us—but worse,” Rockefeller said. “This debate is about more than legality. It is also about morality, the way we see ourselves … and what we represent to the world.”
More stupid words from a dumb ass Dhimo-rat. Morality only counts when the Republicans are in charge. When the Dhimoids were in the POTUS it didn’t mean shit.
And what was this brain trust’s views on Sandy Burglar’s theft of National Security documents? Or Abortion? Or fags?
Or the burning of the flag? Or those worms at the Jerkley City council?
Here’s my view of this “august body” (cough):
“For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires…” 2 Tim 4:3
Go on back to your Obama-nation and lick the hand of your master, you chump.
February 13th, 2008 at 4:09 pmDon’t want to get waterboarded? Don’t fuck the the USA! Now this is a message that needs to be broadcast around the globe.
February 13th, 2008 at 4:27 pmHelp me understand this? The Dems dont want us to know when someone is going to kill us????
February 13th, 2008 at 8:56 pmJS
My sentiments exactly!
February 13th, 2008 at 10:08 pmJett, interesting the Hildebeast and Hussein were listed “not voting”. Wouldn’t want to make a statement while running for President.
And Casey, you should be waterboarded everyday so we can find out who you’re really working for. Yea, I live in Pennsylvania, beyatch.
February 14th, 2008 at 4:33 am