CIA chief admits agency used 'abhorrent' methods on detainees

'CIA Director John Brennan said on Thursday some agency officers used "abhorrent" methods on detainees captured following the Sept. 11 attacks and said it was "unknowable" whether harsh interrogation techniques yielded useful intelligence.'

CIA chief admits agency used 'abhorrent' methods on detainees | Reuters

DA60 said:

'CIA Director John Brennan said on Thursday some agency officers used "abhorrent" methods on detainees captured following the Sept. 11 attacks and said it was "unknowable" whether harsh interrogation techniques yielded useful intelligence.'

CIA chief admits agency used 'abhorrent' methods on detainees | Reuters

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Brennan said the CIA believes information from detainees subjected to enhanced interrogation eventually helped the United States track down al Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden, killed in a 2011 U.S. raid in Pakistan. Brennan conceded it was uncertain whether the same intelligence could have been obtained without such methods.

So I take it that the people who were cheering Obama for capturing Bin Laden are no longer happy about it?

tres borrachos said:

So I take it that the people who were cheering Obama for capturing Bin Laden are no longer happy about it?

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Well if its uncertain whether or not information could have been obtained without torture, then clearly torture is a good thing. If in your world the ends justify the means, then you should absolutely own that position. You don't need to hide behind Obama.

DA60 said:

'CIA Director John Brennan said on Thursday some agency officers used "abhorrent" methods on detainees captured following the Sept. 11 attacks and said it was "unknowable" whether harsh interrogation techniques yielded useful intelligence.'

CIA chief admits agency used 'abhorrent' methods on detainees | Reuters

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I'm much more inclined to take the word of three former CIA Directors, those who penned an oped in the Wall Street Journal, calling out the Senate Democrats for their political hatchet job and downright lies to the American people.

http://www.wsj.com/articles/cia-interrogations-saved-lives-1418142644?mod=trending_now_1

DA60 said:

'CIA Director John Brennan said on Thursday some agency officers used "abhorrent" methods on detainees captured following the Sept. 11 attacks and said it was "unknowable" whether harsh interrogation techniques yielded useful intelligence.'

CIA chief admits agency used 'abhorrent' methods on detainees | Reuters

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What I forgot to add was that I find it interesting that a) he used the term abhorrent' and b) that he basically said it was impossible to know how effective torture is at gaining useful intelligence.

So.....what charges do we bring to all those who swore up and down we don't torture?

tres borrachos said:

Brennan said the CIA believes information from detainees subjected to enhanced interrogation eventually helped the United States track down al Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden, killed in a 2011 U.S. raid in Pakistan. Brennan conceded it was uncertain whether the same intelligence could have been obtained without such methods.

So I take it that the people who were cheering Obama for capturing Bin Laden are no longer happy about it?

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what's the world coming to ? a reasonable rhetorical question ? in debate ? Hello TB..:2wave:

Amadeus said:

Well if its uncertain whether or not information could have been obtained without torture, then clearly torture is a good thing. If in your world the ends justify the means, then you should absolutely own that position. You don't need to hide behind Obama.

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Howdy A
I don't have appreciation for how some things were accomplished by the CIA but they were accomplished; to retrospectively second guess, in armchair quarterback fashion, the possibility of the same outcome by using different measures reeks of political BS. The organization undertook the task they were assigned using techniques deemed legal at that time. While the actions were not pretty or emotionally warm and fuzzy, they worked; as evidenced by the number of successful attacks since 9/11; to arrogantly and knowingly suggest the same results would have been available using different methods is more political BS pontification about the unknowable and things that ended years ago.

While I may not care for all the means and methods utilized many brave intelligence officers and military forces, doing the best job they can do on any given day and at any given moment, have kept this country relatively safe to date.

With all this in mind, be comforted. I do not hide behind -o-. I'll take ownership of every bit this "mess".. because despite speculation... it worked and those sitting safe at home on their keyboards are evidence ... Maybe, we should all be thankful; maybe, we should all "own" it.

The circus in D.C. purely Political Bull ----.

KevinKohler said:

So.....what charges do we bring to all those who swore up and down we don't torture?

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Hello K ..

Absolutely NONE.