This account details a 17th-century trial for witchcraft in Bamberg, Germany (h/t Digby), during the course of which the accused was subjected to thumb screws, leg screws (also known as the Spanish boot) and strappado during the course of the "investigation".
For a week, including through five days of torture, the subject of the inquiry, one Johannes Junius, continually protested his innocence of all charges. Enough was finally enough, however, and he eventually "confessed" to everything, after which he was further tortured until he eventually bore false witness against fellow townsmen so as to end the torment.
His "evidence" was likely used against those he named, just as they were tortured until they named him, said "evidence" used to justify his torture ... and the vicious circle wound merrily along.
At least he didn't suffer water boarding.
If anyone thinks they wouldn't confess to anything they thought their tormentors wanted to hear when subjected to such abuse, they are childishly naive.
Framer, x4mr, TR, Liza, AZAce, et. al., when they take me in I plan to implicate all of you ... just so you know.
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2 comments:
Waterboarding is far preferable to all of the other methods you listed above. Give me a choice, and I will go with waterboarding each time.
Keep in mind that waterboarding has been used against 3 terrorist detainees, and has not been used for three years. That says something about the seriousness of the need when it IS employed.
One of the documented cases was Khalid Sheikh Mohammed who broke in under a minute, and provided a lot of useful information that led to the capture of more Al Queida operatives.
I'm not really comfortable with Spanish Inquisition torture, however if Waterboarding is the most extreme form allowable that is used almost never, and has shown to get results when they are needed in a hurry, I'm not sure that Harry Reid or Nancy Pelosi should get the final call on if it is used. I'm certainly not willing to protect Khalid Sheikh Mohammed from 47 seconds of extreme discomfort if American lives are in the balance.
That's just my two cents
Regardless of method, torture is unlikely to provide reliable information, for reasons the linked episode make clear.
What we know is waterboarding has been used against at least three detainees. There is certainly reason to believe the actual number is far higher.
The value of the data gathered will never really be known, but those who have claimed it was massively useful (while at the same time not in any way making that information available for others to analyze) have clear reasons for wanting to do so. Frankly, people who torture for information have to do a hell of a lot better than say "trust us" if they .. you know .. want me to trust them.
I fully agree, neither Pelosi nor Reid should have final call on whether torture is utilized or not - the issue shouldn't even be up for discussion. Torture, including waterboarding, simply should not be something this nation advocates or practices.
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