Twelve-Step Program

CIA admits waterboarding inmates
US admits waterboarding terror suspects

Who doesn’t enjoy splashing around in the sea, or going to the local public baths for a few lengths?

Waterboarding involves strapping a suspect down and pouring water over his cloth-covered face to create the sensation of drowning. It has been traced back hundreds of years, to the Spanish Inquisition, and is condemned by nations around the world.

Who doesn’t enjoy their lungs filling with water, the sensation of losing consciousness, the certainty of impending death?

In congressional testimony, CIA director Michael Hayden became the first administration official to publicly acknowledge the agency used waterboarding on detainees following the September 11 2001, terrorist attacks.

Well done Michael. You’ve made the first step in a long process of rehabilitation and recovery. But no mention of what high jinx they got up to before November the 9th? I wonder exactly when waterboarding became the CIA’s favored technique, and what techniques they used before it. Come now CIA + US, you must be honest with yourself if you truly seek redemption.

“We used it against these three detainees because of the circumstances at the time,” Mr Hayden told the Senate Intelligence Committee. “There was the belief that additional catastrophic attacks against the homeland were inevitable. And we had limited knowledge about al Qaida and its workings. Those two realities have changed.”

I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration.

J.K.

Blogroll Amnesty Day - The Aftermath

I’ve enjoyed the last couple of days in blogtopia, or blogistan, or wherever it is I am right now. Because of the tireless efforts of others (in particular the noble Swift whose generosity of spirit stands as a lesson for all conservatives) I’ve come into contact with a few blogs that, under normal circumstances I probably wouldn’t have. Some of these include;

• The Great Endarkenment - which boasts the second greatest blog title in the known universe (although upon closer inspection it seems the title was purloined from someone called Anne).
• Zippidy Doo Da - was an interesting miscellany, just the way I like it (in particular I really enjoyed this post).
• Monkeyfister - which boasts, IMHO, the greatest blog title in the known universe, because everyone enjoys fisting monkeys.
• Bildungblog - a blog full of interesting photos and humorous comments and commentary (like this one for example).
• Zen Comix - I like comics.
• The Field Negro - probably my favorite of all the new blogs I’ve discovered over the last few days (try this on for size).
• d r i f t g l a s s - I like this guy’s style a lot (for example)

And this is just a few examples of what I’ve perused since Sunday.

So, speaking personally, among the beneficial consequences of B.A.D.;

1. I’ve come into contact with some high-quality blogs sooner than I would have if left to my own devices.
2. I feel like I’m in some small way part of a community.
3. As a consequence I feel compelled to be a better blogger; less choleric, more phlegmatic, or sanguine even.

And, again speaking personally, the stark truth I’ve learned about myself and my blog in the wake of B.A.D.;

1. I have added no one to my blogroll that isn’t already a far more successful blogger than I am.
2. I hate myself.

All in all quite a humbling experience.

J.K.