Torture?!

This is coolbert:

We are on the subject of torture again.

Specifically, the Five Techniques.

* "wall-standing"

* "hooding"

* "subjection to noise"

* "deprivation of sleep"

* "deprivation of food and drink."

Used by the British forces in Northern Ireland. As a response to the actions of the Irish Republican Army [IRA].

Techniques categorized as “enhanced” methods of interrogation. NOT painful torture [??] as is generally and commonly understood! Techniques that DO, however, create a lot of discomfort.

Techniques that when made public and described, caused a row in the British government. English politicians had to abolish the five techniques as SOP when the “Law Lords” ruled these methods to be impermissible under English law.

Techniques, however, found to NOT constitute torture as the word is commonly, generally, and ordinarily understood. Again, NOT extreme physical pain. BUT, uncomfortable and stressful. Part of what is called the “hostile interrogation”.

"did not occasion suffering of the particular intensity and cruelty implied by the word torture"

The use of the Five Techniques is NOT something new or solely confined to the English!?

German forces in World War Two used the Five Techniques. Germans military personnel [Gestapo??] were convicted to employing these “methods” and executed!?

This was what the Germans called "verschärfte Vernehmung". Consisting of:

* "Simplest rations"
* "Hard bed"
* "Dark cell"
* "Deprivation of sleep"
* "Exhaustion exercises"
* "Blows with a stick"

Certain Chicago police detectives have also been accused by a number of convicted criminals of using variations of the Five Techniques to obtain “confessions”. Placing a dirty, smelly, plastic typewriter dust cover over the head and handcuffing to a radiator for an extended period of time.

And, in the book, “Bridge at Andau”, James Michener describes how the Hungarian communist authorities, in an effort to coerce “dissidents” to “sign the statement”; persons were required, among other "methods", to stand on one foot for hours on end.

[HEY, TRY THIS AS AN EXPERIMENT ON YOURSELF!! STAND ON ONE FOOT AND SEE HOW LONG YOU CAN DO IT BEFORE THE PAIN BECOMES VERY BAD!! HOW LONG COULD YOU HOLD OUT!! THINK WHAT IT WOULD BE LIKE TO STAND ON ONE FOOT FOR HOURS AT A TIME!!]

Take my word for it. It does not take long before you are very uncomfortable!

coolbert.