McCain trying to have it both ways: Waterboarding is torture, but it should've been covered up

[ProSense]

McCain Reacts To KSM Being Waterboarded 183 Times: ‘One Is Too Much. Waterboarding Is Torture’

This morning on Fox News, Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) responded to the startling information — first noted by blogger Marcy Wheeler — that detainee Khalid Sheikh Mohammed was waterboarded 183 times. “It’s unacceptable,” McCain said, adding:

One is too much. Waterboarding is torture, period. I can ensure you that once enough physical pain is inflicted on someone, they will tell that interrogator whatever they think they want to hear. And most importantly, it serves as a great propaganda tool for those who recruit people to fight against us.

McCain later reiterated his point, “The image of the United States of America throughout the world is a recruiting tool for Islamic extremists.” Watch it:

<...>

Despite his outspoken advocacy against torture, he said it was a “serious mistake” for the Obama administration to release the torture memos. “The release of these memos helps no one, doesn’t help America’s image, does not help us address the issue.” Obama adviser David Axelrod said the president’s belief in “the law and his belief in transparency” ultimately convinced him to release the memos.

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[Perky]

1. I don't really disagree with McCain here

yes in theory and asmission that we did this is damning, but it is also important and the admission will serve us well in the long run. WHere it hurts us is that it becomes propoganda for our enemies, but there hands are not exactly clean.... See Stern, Daniel.

[SemiCharmedQuark]

2. "Our Enemies" already knew what we had been doing. Everyone knew.

[Perky]

3. but by admitting it ans saying we were wrong is astounding

given the past eight years. It allow us to take a step towards reconciliation in many capitals if not NW Pakistan.

[SemiCharmedQuark]

4. I agree...actually I think I misread your first post.

Sorry. I thought you were agreeing with McCain...in more than theory.

[ProSense]

6. The U.S. government was wrong. They committed war crimes,

and those involved should be prosecuted. Nothing less. The proper way to deal with war crimes is not to let the criminals go and say we're sorry.

That's sheer and despicable hypocricy.

[ProSense]

5. What?

What utter RW bullshit. Sorry, but that's nonsensical. Covering up war crimes isn't admirable in the name of preventing kooks from spinning it.

Why bother with transparency. Maybe we should "hide" stuff to prevent the wingnuts from using it against us.

[ProSense]

7. Also, "for our enemies, but there hands are not exactly clean"

Let me get this straight: the U.S. government is supposed to torture people because terrorists and criminals torture and kill people?

[lame54]

8. He couldn't talk enough about his torture...

which became torture to us