Here’s the best of the newly released Office of Legal Counsel memos. The term “sadistic” just does not do them, uh, justice.
from Alternet
1. Walling (Bybee memo, August 1, 2002) “A flexible false wall will be constructed. The individual is placed with his heels touching the wall: The interrogator pulls the individual forward and then quickly and firmly pushes the individual into the wall. It is the individual’s shoulder blades that hit the wall. During this motion, the head and neck are supported with a rolled hood or towel that provides a c-collar effect to help prevent whiplash … “You have orally informed us that the false wall is in part constructed to create a loud sound when the individual hits it, which will further shock or surprise the individual. In part, the idea is to create a sound that will make the impact seem far worse than it is and that will be far worse than any injury that might result from the action.”
2. The Facial (or Insult) Slap (Bybee memo, August 1, 2002) “With the facial slap or insult slap, the interrogator slaps the individual’s face with fingers slightly spread. The hand makes contact with the area directly between the tip of the individual’s chin and the bottom of the corresponding earlobe. The interrogator invades the individual’s personal space. The goal of the facial slap is not to inflict physical pain that is severe or lasting. Instead, the purpose of the facial slap is to induce shock, surprise, and/or humiliation …”
3. Cramped Confinement & insects Placed In a Confinement Box (Bybee memo, August 1, 2002) “You would like to place (Abu) Zubaydah in a cramped confinement box with an insect. You have informed us that he appears to have a fear of insects. In particular, you would like to tell Zubaydah that you intend to place a stinging insect into the box with him. You would however, place a harmless insect in the box. You have orally informed us that you would in fact place a harmless insect such as a caterpillar in the box with him… “Focusing in part on the fact that the boxes will be without light, placement in these boxes would constitute a procedure designed to disrupt profoundly the senses…
4. Dietary Manipulation (Bradbury memo, May 10, 2005)
“This technique involves the substitution of commercial liquid meal replacements for normal food, presenting detainees with a bland, unappetizing, but nutritionally complete diet. You have informed us that the CIA believes dietary manipulation makes other techniques, such as sleep deprivation, more effective.
“Medical officers are required to ensure adequate fluid and nutritional intake, and frequent medial monitoring takes place while any detainee is undergoing dietary manipulation.”
5. Nudity (Bradury memo, May 10, 2005)
“This technique is used to cause psychological discomfort, particularly if a detainee, for cultural or other reasons, is especially modest. When the technique is employed, clothing can be provided as an instant reward for cooperation. During and between interrogation sessions, a detainee may be kept nude, provided that ambient temperatures and the health of the detainee permit.
“… Interrogators can exploit the detainee’s fear of being seen naked. In addition, female officers involved in the interrogation process may see the detainees naked, and … we will assume that detainees subjected to nudity as an interrogation technique are aware that they may be seen naked by females.”
The next 5, just the titles:
6. Abdominal Slap (Bradbury memo, May 10, 2005)
7. Water Dousing and “Flicking” (Bradbury memo, May 10, 2005)
8. Sleep Deprivation (more than 48 hours) (Bradbury memo, May 10, 2005)
9. Combination of Techniques (Bradbury memo, May 10, 2005)
10. Waterboarding (Bybee memo, August 1, 2002)
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