Father of Australian captive outraged US defends Guantanamo 'dog tricks'

[cyberpj]

Hicks' father outraged as US defends Guantanamo 'dog tricks'

The father of long-term Australian Guantanamo Bay detainee David Hicks says an interrogation technique rated as acceptable by the American military is, in his opinion, disgusting.

US military investigator General Randall Schmidt has told a Congressional hearing that while Guantanamo Bay prisoners had been abused, the abuse was not bad enough to warrant disciplinary action against the soldier's superiors.

General Schmidt described detention and interrogation operations as "safe, secure and humane".

But Terry Hicks says the General's example of a detainee being led around on a leash performing dog tricks, while being forced to wear a bra and a G-string over his head, should not be viewed as acceptable.

"I should say most people would be absolutely disgusted, particularly if it happened to themselves or their children or whatever that this sort of thing goes on," he said.

"To me it's disgusting that this sort of treatment on these prisoners can fall inside some boundary that gives them the OK to do it."

About 520 men are held at the prison.

Many were detained in Afghanistan and have been held for more than three years.

Only four have been charged, including David Hicks.

The United States has classified them as "enemy combatants" and denied them rights accorded to prisoners of war under the Geneva Conventions.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200507/s1414538.htm

[indepat]

1. Defending the indefensible is the hallmark of those whose actions are

indefensible.

[cyberpj]

2. At this point I won't be surprised if Pentagon guys have video of this -

That's right up their alley isn't it? Fits right in with the sex clubs and forced spousal sex and closet gays that somehow seem to align with Republican and Military life.

[Norquist Nemesis]

4. It is! And what ever happened to the photos?

Haven't seen any of those even with all of the doctoring the Pentagon was taking time to do before releasing them. :shrug:

[cyberpj]

6. New Abu Ghraib photos ready - US Atty requested extension to July 22

I was wondering about that too and went looking. Posted this earlier this week:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x4082963

[wli]

3. "enemy combatant" is bullcrap

Bring on the war crimes tribunals.

[LiberalFighter]

5. He should be outraged that his country still supports the U.S.