“Verschärfte Vernehmung” – TheAtlantic.com: a republican blogger has written an article making a direct comparison with the torture techniques used by the Nazi regime and the ones currently being used by the Bush administration for its war on terror.
The phrase “Verschärfte Vernehmung” is German for “enhanced interrogation”. It’s a phrase that appears to describe a form of torture that would leave no marks, and hence save the embarrassment pre-war Nazi officials were experiencing as their wounded torture victims ended up in court. The methods are indistinguishable from those described as “enhanced interrogation techniques” by the president. As you can see from the Gestapo memo (click on picture at the top of this post), moreover, the Nazis were adamant that their “enhanced interrogation techniques” would be carefully restricted and controlled, monitored by an elite professional staff, of the kind recommended by Charles Krauthammer, and strictly reserved for certain categories of prisoner. At least, that was the original plan.
I would like to warn you that the link to the complete story includes a picture of a person being put in a bag with ice packs thrown on top of him, which might be upsetting to some of our readers. Now this story is not to indicate that the current government is a mirror of the Nazi regime, but the precedent being set by this type of behaviour will end up biting the U.S. in the @$$ someday.
Tom,
RE: #89
It is the technology of unregulated communication that has enabled the spread and freedom of ideas not any one particular political organization. The most current incarnation of which was, I will conceed, originally concieved by a government organization to replace AM ground transmissions and ensure a proper retaliation launch in the event of nuclear conflict. However, it was later put to use as a communication medium for the general populace and the concept spread far beyond ownership of one particular government entity. As such, I imagine communication will undoubtedly remain free, however it is the fear that one day an individual may be charged for something akin to “Thought Crime” for the free exchange of those ideas that bothers me. This may actually already be happening and as evidence I would like to present the case of Ms. Julia Wilson: A 14 year old girl who, knowing no better, posted what some would call rebellious and childish language befitting the attitudes of a young angst ridden teenager on her myspace page. She had not anticipated result of said rhetoric as a visit from the Secret Service. I am sure this was more than a minor inconvenience for Ms. Wilson, her family, her friends, and possibly even their casual acquaintances who had to endure what I am sure, while not nearly as bad as water boarding, was probably a terrifying round of interrogation. At this point I feel I must point out that I believe terror is a relative emotion and the idea of a visit from the men in the dark glasses would probably frighten most all-American, honest, and law abiding citizens.
Tom, I cannot speak for everyone but as for me; it is not the loss of liberty I fear but the punishment and ridicule for exercising that liberty against the will of the rich, powerful, and wrongly influential such as men whose worth is judged by wealth rather than compassion and civic engagement. While I concede that this is not a direct removal of the right to practice my freedom, I feel that it does tend to toss a wet blanket on it when I consider that my views may be subject to ridicule from fellow citizens who imitate the beliefs of these individuals under the premise that it will bring them great wealth and power to end their personal suffering. Ostracism via excommunication is a worse punishment than death and it’s easier to maintain. All you have to do is question a few of the neighbors, subtly mention that how the squeaky wheel gets everyone greased, and suddenly you are seen as a trouble maker planning to get the whole neighborhood detained.
So, that’s my case for my paranoia and probably Ms. Julia Wilson’s newfound sense of paranoia as well… only it’s not paranoia if they are out for you and they did visit her so I suppose that means we’ll have to find another word for it. I bet you won’t find her musing for the proper words to describe it publicly… although she’s still free to do so… if that’s what she REALLY wants.
I eagerly await your reply with a parallel example of “expanding” rights that are useful and that one can act upon. Hopefully, thanks to the wonder of the internet I won’t have long to wait… unless I receive a visit from the men in dark glasses for this post… in which case I may never know how lucky you consider us all to be for living in the potential home of the brave and the land of the