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Alberto Gonzales Speaks in London on Torture

By Jeralyn, Section Terror Detainees
Posted on Thu Mar 09, 2006 at 10:01:35 AM EST
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Attorney General Alberto Gonzales spoke in London on Tuesday. Here are his prepared remarks. Undoubtedly, every word was vetted and chosen with care. Here's what he had to say about the U.S. sending detainees to other countries that practice torture:

We do not transport anyone to a country if we believe it more likely than not that the individual will be tortured.

So "more likely than not" is the standard. This makes it clear that the U.S. is sending prisoners to countries that practice torture except when they believe a particular individual will be tortured. We should not be sending any prisoners to countries that practice torture, period.

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    • Alberto Gonzales Speaks in London on Torture | 7 comments (7 topical)
    Re: Alberto Gonzales Speaks in London on Torture (none / 0) (#2)
    by yudel on Thu Mar 09, 2006 at 11:39:19 AM EST
    By torture, should we assume he's using the Adminstration's definition, which excludes waterboarding, etc? Is the estimate based on the propensity of the regime to torture, or the propensity of the "suspect" to confess before it gets to that point? If Gonzales estimated a 1/3 chance of waterboarding, a 1/3 chance of genital shocking, and a 1/3 chance of being shot in the head, does the chance of sudden death count as torture, or as non-torture? Do you assume that it is "more likely than not" that Gonzales is deliberately speaking the truth? Why would you say such a thing?

    Re: Alberto Gonzales Speaks in London on Torture (none / 0) (#3)
    by jondee on Thu Mar 09, 2006 at 12:04:07 PM EST
    This "pro-life" Texacution expeditor( avg. 20 min reviewing each case), is just the Eichmannesq type a right wing junta cant do without in war time.

    Re: Alberto Gonzales Speaks in London on Torture (none / 0) (#4)
    by theologicus on Thu Mar 09, 2006 at 12:06:08 PM EST
    Who ever thought we would have an Attorney General who was soft on torture? We need a flat ban on extraordinary rendition, secret prisons, and all the rest. National Religious Campaign Against Torture

    Re: Alberto Gonzales Speaks in London on Torture (none / 0) (#5)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Thu Mar 09, 2006 at 02:06:28 PM EST
    Just incredibly sad how we have gotten here. America, where we allow torture, warrantless surveillance, and detention without charges.

    Re: Alberto Gonzales Speaks in London on Torture (none / 0) (#6)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Thu Mar 09, 2006 at 05:25:48 PM EST
    How would this burden of proof be met? Would the receiving country have to say, "We'll probably torture this guy"? Or would there have to be evidence that the country tortures more than 50% of those it has in detention?

    Re: Alberto Gonzales Speaks in London on Torture (none / 0) (#7)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Fri Mar 10, 2006 at 08:05:33 AM EST
    It's not only the "more likely than not" standard, it's a subjective standard. Abu states that they won't send a peron "if we believe it more likely than not". So they call up their buddies in Uzbekistan and say, "If we send you a bunch of bad guys, you probably wouldn't torture them would you?". Boris on the other end says, "NO, we probably won't torture them, ha ha ha!" That's good enough for Government work!

    Re: Alberto Gonzales Speaks in London on Torture (none / 0) (#8)
    by Edger on Sat Mar 11, 2006 at 04:27:22 AM EST
    "Alberto Gonzales Speaks in London on Torture" They had to torture him to make him parrot talking points? Or was it just tortured logic?

    Alberto Gonzales Speaks in London on Torture | 7 comments (7 topical)