This kind of torture and human rights violations make me ashamed of America. I always believed we were better than the terrorists; in fact we are terrorists. How sad.

So the "Mastermind of 9/11" felt humiliated? Boo hoo.

We're all going to hell, you know that right? You, Me, G.W.B., Osama, the Clintons, Paris Hilton, Putin, Kim Jong IL, all of us. Human beings are such sick twisted creatures... I don't think we'll last to see the turn of the next century anyhow.

Thanks for the propoganda justifying torture,ABC lap-dogs.

How many Americans can truely say they are proud of their country for this?

Who give a crap about how he attained the "Disheveled" appearance. He's going down and that's all there is to it.

Good for them. He should suffer.

So the Mastermind of 9/11-- which killed thousands-- felt "humiliated?" Boo hoo.

So? Water board away.

Why should be worry about Human Rights with this terrorists. -Do they care about the human rights of their victims ???. If a red haired woman presence was able to make him talk, put a red haired woman to interrogate each and all this criminals...They relinquished their human rights by acting against society.

I think we are telling other countries exactly what they need to hear. If you mess with us and murder our citizens don't expect a danish and cup of coffee when we catch you and want answers. We have been cowering little lambs in the eyes of these people for too long.

Notice how the left never mentions the capture of this man? This guy was probably more important than the formerly alive, now dead, fake videos wanna be tupac/biggie, bin laden, but the left chants, "6 yrs later, no bin laden." First of all it's been 14 yrs, obl first attacked 2/26/93. Second of all, he attacked throughout the 1990s, but of course the left dates it 9/11 when Bush took office as if that's when the problem began.

And, if it was up to the left, we probably a) wouldn't have captured this guy and b) wouldn't have the information we gathered from him, which led to many thwarted attacks.

The left's obsession with Bush has clouded their minds so much they're missing the greatest battle in America's history like Europe slept amidst Hitler.

This is one of the worst stories I've ever read...the whole thing centers around water boarding, but never explains what it is or why such offense was taken to the woman being present (outside of the obvious status of women in Middle Eastern culture..my best guess)???? What journalism school did this guy attend?

He is a terrorist, he is evil, and someone has a problem with a little waterboard torture and a bad picture? What the heck is wrong with people? Doesn't 9/11 live in anyones memory anymore? It makes me sick to think that our government can't do what it needs to do without some bleeding heart having a fit. How would that bleeding heart feel if this guy killed his/her, mother, father, brother, sister child? Why is this a story?

I'm not sure what to think of the word torture being inside quotation marks in this article. It is not merely thought of as torture, it is torture, and was used during the middle ages to get people to confess of witchcraft and heresy.

So what is Richard Esposito trying to say in the last two paragraphs of this story? It was somehow wrong for the CIA to mess-up KSM's hair and untuck his shirt? Perhaps we should have dressed him up in a tuxedo with a top hat? Additionally, I do not see any quotes from people with other views on the so-called torture of waterboarding. This article, like everything else on this website, is tilted against America. Contrary to the simpletons that work for the democrat party (and the substantial majority of the U.S. media), you don't fight (and win) the war on terror under Robert's Rules of Order. You fight any way you can to secure the safety and security of our nation.

Complete B.S.
Spineless liberals will ensure that this war will be longer and bloodier (on both sides) thanks to their BDS.
Pathetic and will be judged by history as such.

Whoever wrote this should perhaps tell us what water-board is. In Minnesota, this is something people pull behind a boat and it is great fun. I have no idea what it means in the context of this article.

Torture works and it saves lives. Remember we are not torturing Americans so who cares what we are doing. Remember you have a right to life. Without that right all your other rights are meaningless. Let the serious adults in the government deal with the serious issues so the rest of us can get on with our lives without living in fear.

LaDonna, we could have be-headed him. We could kill all who don't have the same religion as we do. I don't think we qualify as terrorists for trying to get a "mastermind of 9/11" to talk. Anything we did to him was to good for him. Why defend this scumbags rights when he would kill you and me in a second for being American?

So what it is torture, yes, but these people are very bad to abegin with. think of the harm they have done and torture they commited agains other individuals. It is not like CIA is torturing them to confess to a marijuna consporacy.

If one terrorist has to suffer in order to save hundreds of innocent people from dying, I am all for it. Why does a person that has vowed to give his life to killing innocent people deserve any rights?? Would they be so kind to show any of us the same compassion? Ask Mr Pearl.

Ladonna are you feeling sorry for him? What about the torture of almost 3,000 people dying and their families struggles since. What about their human rights? If you think we are wrong for using these tactics to protect our families and way of life, then PROUDLY call me wrong.

I'm proud of America after reading this. I hope they continue to torture him. He should suffer

That was the victory US gave to Laden.
Fear downgraded US to forget values which it says it defends

So!If it hasn't already, when will this waterboarding torture technique enter the jail and prison systems in America? You know, some prison guard or jailer, at some point, will feel just a wee bit too excited and powerful then try this on some American victim. By now, y'all know how Americans can become euphoric over these matters.

That was the victory US gave to Laden.
Fear downgraded US to forget values which it says it defends

Why was this story titled "Shame and Propaganda" on the homepage? Whose shame and whose propaganda? That title makes no sense with this story.

Since we'll never know whether KSM would have spilled without waterboarding then we'll just have to err on the side of caution and assume not. Also, I don't find the idea of "waterboarding" particularly torturous. This is why so few respect these so-called human rights groups. They run around calling EVERYTHING "torture" and "human rights violations" so no one even takes them seriously anymore. I totally respect our soldiers and CIA agents doing the dirty work so I can sit on my *%$ and write a post on a blog no one will ever read. This country is full of whiny spoiled brats--that is SHAMEFUL!

I am sure that he was dressed nicely when he planned the deaths of thousands of americans.

WHO CARES?

If you hate America so much, please leave.

Besides the fact that it is morally reprehensible, torture is rarely used because the information gotten is unreliable. A nation that bases it's strategies on information gotten through torture is doomed to failed strategies.

So, what's to happen when the "enemy" begans to torture American soldiers, ignoring the Geneva Convention? After all, all they have to say is, "Well, America started it! So if they don't follow their own rules and laws governing humanity and human rights, why should the rest of the world?"

Waterboarding consists of immobilizing an individual and pouring water over his or her face to simulate drowning. Waterboarding has been used to obtain information, coerce confessions, and also to punish, and/or intimidate. However, it is also used in some military training. It elicits the gag reflex, and can make the subject believe his or her death is imminent while not causing permanent physical damage.

Some legal experts, and recently Sen. John McCain, regard waterboarding as a form of torture,[1][2][3] specifically water torture. "The threat of imminent death" is one of the legal definitions of torture under U.S. law.[4] Additionally the United Nations Convention Against Torture prohibits the intentional infliction of severe pain or suffering.[5][6] In November 2005, anonymous sources told ABC News that the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency uses waterboarding as an interrogation technique, but does not deem it torture.[7] CIA Inspector General John L. Helgerson said the techniques "appeared to constitute cruel and degrading treatment under the [Geneva] convention."[8]

Scott- Waterboarding is a technique that forces water into the body of the subject and gives them the feeling that they're drowning. Once their stomachs are stretched with water, the subject is slapped and smacked to give the excruciating sensation of his insides being broken. Imagine if you will, having to pee very badly, yet you have to ride in a horse and buggy all the way to the bathroom. Jostling around, it's very, very uncomfortable and at times painful. Waterboarding is 10 times more painful than that and very frightening. It has been used for centuries, including during the Inquisition. I am so ashamed that our society has progressed so little over the centuries that we still resort to these tactics to get "answers."

jrog, are you 100% certain that America doesn't "behead" its enemies? That Americans DON'T kill others for their religious beliefs? You must have missed out on America's History classes.

Um...when KSM was captured the holier-than-thou MEDIA said he was dragged out of bed hence his nightshirt and bedhead. This is the worst journalism. Find some random source to claim anything and you forget your original claims. I haven't forgotten that he was asleep when captured but I'm not a journalist so I should just eat what you're serving.

This Garrett guy is ALWAYS the guy they go to when they want the USA bashed. Over and over again. CHECK YOUR DAMN SOURCES BEFORE TYPING YOUR REPORTS! Ever hear of double sourcing or triple sourcing?? Just b/c it's on the website doesn't mean you should be lazy about it . Lord, if I know your source is wrong, you sure as hell should.

What about the torture Daniel Pearl endured?? What about the terror/torture those people felt when they looked up from their desks drinking their coffee and getting ready to start their day when the plane was coming right at them?? And we have to feel bad? He is still alive!! Daniel Pearl is not, nor are those people who where on the planes and in the buildings. Give me a break!

a) what exactly is "waterboarding"?
b) next time just behead him on video

Ray, Jrog, Sid - You are endangering the lives of soldiers by your mock- right winged bravado. Remember, your words are read on the internet. Bush did the same thing, (bring them on). The big people in the government are the soldiers who do the actual shooting. Torturing a defensless person is not defensible.
Message - don't write checks with your mouth that your body can't cash. You wanna fight, join the Army. Take all the republicans kids in ritzy colleges and let them get a taste of it too.

These terrorist in the Middle East and else where who are set on there ideals and refuse to have an open mind or follow government or justice, normally are cowards towards the end and talk a lot. It is those who live with hidden societies and master mind this world against government and faith that even the harshest of torture might not work. The harder you work on them the harder they resolve to fight against your torture. But, I am not a torture expert, and do not believe in it. Its data is contaminated and its purpose for revenge is not humanitarian.

"...me ashamed of America. ...in fact we are terrorists. How sad."

Let me reassure you LaDonna, you're not a terrorist, just a "useful idiot" for the Islamists. How sad.

This war, and yes, it is a real shoot them up killing war, has been going on since 1992. One could argue that it started when the PLO hijacked the EL AL airliner years before that. My point is that we in America need to realize that our enemy hates us, not because of some supposed grievance we committed or colonialism on our part. They hate us for who we are...freedom loving people who have the right to decide who, what, where and how we wish to live. Radical Islam preaches submission. Fail to do so costs you your head. This war will last years, and we'd better get our heads right or else you too might have to submit.

For those of you hwo do not know, water boarding involves strapping a person to an inclined board, with his feet raised and his head lowered. The interrogators bind the person's arms and legs so he can't move at all, and they cover his face. In some descriptions, the person is gagged, and some sort of cloth covers his nose and mouth; in others, his face is wrapped in cellophane. The interrogator then repeatedly pours water onto the person's face. Depending on the exact setup, the water may or may not actually get into the person's mouth and nose; but the physical experience of being underneath a wave of water seems to be secondary to the psychological experience. The person's mind believes he is drowning, and his gag reflex kicks in as if he were choking on all that water falling on his face.

Big deal...scaring them into thinking he's going to drown sounds like a brilliant idea. smashing his head against a boulder until his brains fall out - THAT's torture...peeing on him, I dunno...maybe combining waterboarding with peeing on him would work better...

Ohhhhh shame unto the USA for breaking such a strong, noble, bold man! Ohhhhh the audacity to torture instead of just discussing over tea! What IS wrong with us? Why dont we realize that a cup of tea can solve anything? Who needs war or even playground fights..........polite chat is the answer to all our woes

The enemy is alway disgusting and evil.... And it doesn't mater what side of the fence your standing on.

But up until this war, we've always held the higher moral highground and our enemies hated that. It made it harder to win against us because those on our side felt pride in this and fought for this ideal.

Now we're no different than our enemies. So those in the world community who haven't taken sides only pick sides now out of convenience.

So is it any wonder that in the world polls, GWB is considered a greater threat to world peace than OBL.

We have hit a new low and all we say to justify this is, "We're not as bad as our enemies." .... No we're every bit as bad, it's just that that we only hear one side of the propaganda. And when we start to hear the other side, it's always those damn liberals.

From Wikipedia: Water boarding as it is currently described involves strapping a person to an inclined board, with his feet raised and his head lowered. The interrogators bind the person's arms and legs so he can't move at all, and they cover his face. In some descriptions, the person is gagged, and some sort of cloth covers his nose and mouth; in others, his face is wrapped in cellophane. The interrogator then repeatedly pours water onto the person's face. Depending on the exact setup, the water may or may not actually get into the person's mouth and nose; but the physical experience of being underneath a wave of water seems to be secondary to the psychological experience. The person's mind believes he is drowning, and his gag reflex kicks in as if he were choking on all that water falling on his face

I posted over 20 minutes ago so where's my post? Stop censoring people or pick up the pace already.

This story is the propaganda. KSM was captured while sleeping. He was not dapper ever but glad to know you find him so attractive. Most people don't look so hot when captured while unconscious. Check your sources and we'll be awaiting your retraction.

jk et al, America is killing innocent civilians too. Don't forget that. America is no less guilty than the enemy. Terrorist? Define "terrorist" please. One nation's terrorist is another's freedom fighter. It all boils down to which side you support.

Just imagine what we'd find out about voter fraud, obstruction of justice, election rigging and such if we were to waterboard Rove and Gonzales.

Don't think the destruction of American democracy is a national securtity issue? Think again. What happens if the next (Dem) president decides that it IS a national security issue?

So, yeah. Waterboard away. But don't stop with foreign enemies. Use it on the enemies of democracy within our borders!

It's not so cute when the shoe is on the other foot, is it?

For everyone who has defended torture because it makes you feel all macho or patriotic: Read a history book. Read the Declaration of Independence. Read the Constitution. You're all a bunch of traitors to American ideals. Every time we torture, we tarnish centuries of hard-won morality. Every time you get thrilled by it, you become less American. So, tell you what, get out of this country. Move to Russia or Saudi Arabia where strength is king, no matter what the consequences (and please look around when you get there just to see exactly how far behavior like torture will get a society). But don't stay here and say you're defending American ideals by betraying them.

The more terrorists that get tortured, the better!!!

So many people think this form of waterboarding is medieval style. Hardly. It's the same techniques that were used in SERE training.

Here is guy that beheaded people, killed thousands, and idiots think he was treated unfairly. Please, the French would have been breaking his fingers.

The reason it takes a while for the post to appear is that the owners of this site need time to edit what you say.

You people who praise torture are far more scary than the terrorists. You pretend to value human life; they don't pretend.

I've already left a comment but i just wanted to point out - We are supposed to be better than torturers. We are supposed to rise above the heinous and senseless things they do to innocent people, not continue those actions in the name of revenge. Surely you must agree with me. Otherwise, how can you call yourself an American? How can anyone say "if you don't like it, get out"? These are not the ideals upon which this country was founded nor are they the ideals that our veterans fought and died for. We must overcome the indignities and cruelties of torture and learn what we need to know from these prisoners without becoming terrorists ourselves.

FYI - Dishevelling prisoners has been a technique used for decades to cause confusion and loss of coordination, thereby inducing the person to "fess up." I personally do not view this as propaganda or shameful (whereas torture is shameful). It's psychological and therefore you can't force anyone to act on that - whereas with PAIN, you can, making it reprehensible.

anyelse catch the buried lede about al qaeda using media reports (no doubt from leaked intelligence) to figure out we were on to their cell phone conversations. sure was nice of the media to do that. i'm really glad we hae them looking out for us.

So, waterboarding fans, if our soldiers are captured and made to endure similar treatment simply because we do it as well will you be the first to scream bloody murder?

This politically correct mind set has cost the lives and limbs of countless soldiers. I supported the downfall of Sadam Hussien. Unfortunately, they forgot to study how Gen. MacAuthor controlled Japan after their defeat.
MacAuthor didn't worry about the P.C.
factor. He was the boss, and anyone who didn't like it was put in jail. Before you control a country, you must control
it's borders and enforce security. Then yyou can worry about setting up a government. We have the cart in front of the horse in Iraq. As a result. Innocent people die. Tough love.Look at Japan today...Need I say more.

My country is bragging about torturing somebody? Calling the tortured wimpish because they gave in after two minutes of torture? My father must be rolling over in his grave.

This will be the downfall of America - blind adherence to some lofty ideal of the moral high ground. We hamstring our troops with ridiculous rules of engagement that are not reciprocated by opposing forces. We demand our intelligence agencies collect information vital to our security and then cripple them with laws that govern how that information can be obtained. In short, America didn't get to be the greatest nation on earth by asking nicely.

So if this guy ran a truck full of explosives into a bunch of people that would be ok? People are mad that we waterboarded him? How sick can these people that are mad about this be, they would rather see there own americans killed then hear about this guy getting water boarded, No wonder were called cowards now

How many Americans can truely say they are proud of their country for this?

Posted by: born_7-4 | Sep 13, 2007 4:43:45 PM

I can, and am. If this were the norm I think we'd even have OBL by now. Scratch this one up to be kind to terrorist day.

If torture works, lets use it instead of the criminal justice system we spend so much on today. We could make a lot of unemployed lawyers by simply getting people to talk with torture. Unclog our overworked court system! If it works, why reserve it for terrorists only?

Waterboard him and his whole family, but not only once! How about once a day!?!

I am a left- wing Democrat through and through, but I have trouble feeling empathy for this scum.

It is amazing to me how some of the "posters" feel that we have lost our way as a nation due to the fact that our intelligence services have extracted information from this terrorist - yes he is a terrorist. Waterboarding is a nasty business, but I notice he still has his head attached to his body - too bad we can't say the same for Daniel Pearl; a journalist who i bet was tortured before they cut off his head. You can wring your hands all you want and belittle our nation for how we have extracted necessary information from individuals such as KSM, but to date the terrorist have not found one of these individuals on the road side with his head in a bag. As a practice Waterboarding is apparently effective - he lasted 2 minutes - which is longer than anyone else - is he still alive - yes - you can't say the same for anyone the terrorist have captured/kidnapped. Stop crying for the poor terrorist - cry for their victims.

Jeez, ABC. What the $#%% is wrong with you???!! What a wierd pro-torture article. Just talking over a cup of tea after waterboarding . . .!

When the good guys start using the tactics of the bad guys, they cease being good guys. The ends do not justify the means. Those who believe the ends justify the means are those who have ruined our country.

And, did he also admit to helping put Jesus on the cross or lighting the fires in the concentration camps? Who wouldn't admit to anything and everything to stop the torture? I certainly would and I suspect Bush/ Cheney et al would too, if they could stop crying.

Yes, regarding the leak that told al queda about our intelligence gleaned from cell phones, that was the administration....so eager to brag about what we knew and when, he had to blab it all. There were many people working intelligence who were not happy with this gaff but, knowing Bush, if you tell him something you take a chance he won't repeat it at a news conference, except when it has to do with politics...he's really careful he doesn't get himself into a bind......after all, in this world, who else even matters?

It is truly unfortunate that so many Americans are under the impression that the United States has been an angel in international relations. The US, Great Britain, France, Germany, etc., have all been colonialists for centuries, forcing their form of religion and government on Africa and other lands with the intent to steal and manage their resources, and teaching the leaders of these countries to torture and disrespect their own people. Now that those terrible leaders -- the Shah, Noreiga, Saddam, etc., are either in or under prisons, or dead, other leaders have taken their places -- leaders with long memories, who -- no better than the Colonialists who abused them -- are taking their revenge. I don't like what's happening any more than other Americans. But, I am happy not to be so ignorant as to think that what goes around only comes around to others and never us.

Why should we have to pander to the Left all the time? That's the problem with this country in the war against terror. We're always concerned they are going to get mad at us. My response is who gives a crap. Just do what needs to be done and let God sort it out at the end.

Hey Dan, have you ever noticed what happens to any of our soldiers they capture?

If KSM no longer has any useful info to extract he should be taken out back and summarily executed. He is not a military captive, he represnts no nation, he has no uniform. Most of these terrorists should be executed on the battlefield when caught.

The world's an ugly place. It's not like some idealists pipe dream utopia and never will be. I wish our government would take the gloves off and deal with this problem definitively. The islamists will stop fighting when they are tired of dying. We need to make a lot more of them die. Why are their imams safe for example. We should be blowing them up here and there during Friday prayers, to give them a taste of their own tactics too.

Ever read the Koran? Why are our hate laws not applied to this book. Islam itself should be outlawed as a hate crime.

if water torture did'nt work, send in our 7 ft 300ln "gimp" and I promise they will all talk. These terrorists are losers/animal and shouldn't walk the earth like you and I. Who cares if they die or feel humiliated---

AB: Your assertion that "by doing the same back to them, we become them" is absurd and emblematic of the kind of kumbaya thinking that makes the terrorists marvel at the inability of many Americans to accept the reality of their evil intentions towards our country.

We're not anything like the terrorists, irrespective of whether or not we use torture to obtain the information we need to spare innocent lives.

It is astonishing and deeply shameful to witness the decline of America and the willful jettisoning of the most fundamental principles that have made us the "beacon on the hill." Now we're no different from our enemies, and from the posts here I get the impression that most Americans think that is just fine. To me it still MATTERS whether or not the U.S.A. acts wisely and holds itself to a higher standard: are you all so scared that you've forgotten that? No terrorist threat could destroy our country, but the the last six and half years have shown that we certainly can and are being destroyed from within.

Very interesting discussion from some very passionate people. I would argue that too many (from both sides) let their passions run too high. I agree that torture is something that the US should not be a part of. Going back to WWII, we didn't treat our prisoners the same as Germany or Japan (starvation and beating if not outright killing) because it simply wasn't the right thing to do. An interesting case in point is that the Germans slaughtered many of the Russian civilians that they came across on the drive to Moscow. Those acts helped turn the tide in Russia's favor because the people would no longer surrender but fought harder, and the Russians revisited all those things back on the German people on their drive to Berlin. It seems to me that being involved in torture is a slippery slope.

On the other hand, I have an extremely hard time seeing waterboarding as torture since I endured it myself during my training. I guess you can argue that I knew it was training, so my mindset was different going in. Very unpleasant sensation, and I don't recommend it. Overall, I think we do ourselves more harm than good when we resort to these tactics because no matter how you dress it up the court of world opinion will go against you....no I didn't vote for John Kerry, but when you're looking for Allies in the war on terror you're not helping yourself.

One other thing I noticed in many of these posts are that many of you have your facts wrong and seem to be saying things out of a deeper hatred for either the right or the left....politics really should have nothing to do with this. Quick example for the person who said Bush leaked information about our intelligence services gaining information from cell phones, you need to read the article again

To the liberals here,.... War has been declared on our nation. By his own admission KSM is responsible for September 11th. If your enemy was so keen on following the Marquess of Queensberry rules in this fight then maybe there is some injustice in his treatment. If they fought fair then we would not have arrived in this place, fighting fire with fire. I can't help feeling he deserves the same fate of those he killed.

Unbelievable that so many people are taking this story at face value. ABC publishes it, so it must be the truth. You think if he held out a month, a week, 6 weeks, you'd hear about how "tough" he was...

After the WMD, and vast numbers of "foreign" fighters in Iraq (mostly Saudi, which is never reported), you people ARE SO GULLIBLE!!!!!

Screw you bleeding heart libs - this *** slit the throat of an innocent man in an act of anti-semetic hatred and all you jerks can think about is this "poor mistreated America hater" - of course it's totally understandable - you both hate the same things - Jews and the USA.

LaDonna is going to be the death of America!!! She is ashamed of America for what?? Not killing this guy with a dull knife as he did Daniel Pearl?? Is she ashamed of us for treating women with respect? Is she ashamed that she can worship any religion, or none, if she so choses? How did we get so damn soft? Hillary attacks the best General and asks to "suspend disbelief" to believe there is progress in Iraq and Kusinich goes on SYRIAN TELEVISION to explain how our "occupation" of Iraq was illegal and these idiots want to be elected?? We should shred these weaklings to the bone over this and they should at least be made to withdraw their candidacy for the office of the President because they will have to call their top General a liar and our military WILL NOT GO FOR THAT AND NEITHER WILL AMERICA!!! Hillary is a damn joke!!!