U.S. troops, guards stop using hoods to blindfold Iraqi prisoners

[maddezmom]

By Associated Press, 5/4/2004 12:12


BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) U.S. officials have ordered a halt to using hoods to blindfold Iraqi prisoners, a military spokesman said Tuesday in the wake of the uproar over abuse of detainees at Baghdad's Abu Ghraib prison.

The use of hoods has been stopped at Abu Ghraib for the past month, and troops conducting raids in the field stopped hooding detained Iraqis four days ago, the spokesman said.

Instead of a hood, the detainees' eyes are covered by a blindfold or with goggles taped over with duct tape, the spokesman said.

The decision came amid a review of interrogation techniques and other procedures at detention centers in Iraq, prompted by allegations of abuse at Abu Ghraib.

~snip~
more: http://www.boston.com/dailynews/125/world/U_S_troops_guards_stop_using_h:.shtml

[SheepyMcSheepster]

1. in past "wars", were POWs blindfolded at all? nt.

[saigon68]

17. NOT LIKE THIS




This Iraqi man is wearing the latest in Ralph Rumsfelt Fashion Wear.

It's from the "I'M WEARING A BAG ON MY HEAD FOR FREEDOM COLLECTION"

Said Wolfman Wolfowitz chief designer of the collection. "Our work is meant to inspire Co-
Operation on the part of the wearer". He continued, "Sometimes a good swift ass kicking gets
them in a proper frame of mind to wear our creations."

Next up US govt approved chromed and plated testicle crushers !!!!




Wearing the latest fashion in wear for captured Iraqis is Saddam Al Masser of Fallujah. In a
Wolfman Wolfowitz inspired creation, made especially for Iraq-Nam II. Mr. Masser models a not
too tight White Head Bag. When asked how it felt Mr. Masser commented "MH$#)(*&%$$"

This creation is produced by HALLIBURTON HOMEWEAR --A division of exorbitant tax
ripoffs .com

[keithyboy]

19. The hoods are keep the perps from being identified during war crime

tribunals. You know, like KKK hoods.

[saigon68]

20. HOODS IN REVERSE

Prisoners put into hoods so they could not see who their military torturers were who were kicking the shit out of them.

[THUNDER HANDS]

2. well, now I'm sure they'll like us again

:eyes:

[daleo]

3. Hoods looked bad on TV

Executioners put hoods on peoples heads before they hanged them. The military finally got hip to the bad imagery this was conveying. That is all this is. And I certainly don't recall blindfolds, hoods, etc. being used in WWII, unless it was the Gestapo. Although, someone with a more detailed knowledge of that conflict may have other information.

[ze_dscherman]

5. They reminded me of the spanish inquisition

Muslims, jews and heretics wore pointed hoods when they were put to the pyre.

[daleo]

7. Yeah, that too

Maybe that is why the widely distributed photo of the hooded Iraqi standing on the box, with the wires attached, seems so iconic somehow.

[kitkatrose]

4. Big Whoop.

I guess now they'll throw flowers at us again, instead of grenades. :eyes::eyes::eyes::eyes::eyes::eyes::eyes::eyes::eyes::eyes::eyes::eyes::eyes::eyes::eyes::eyes::eyes::eyes::eyes::eyes:

[nadinbrzezinski]

9. Hey you have to admit it

they know how to throw a party,

The flowers are covered wiht C-4 and the candy has explosive tips.

This is so loud we all need to tap dance....

(yes my sense of humor has taken an even dryer tone in recent months)

[Just Me]

6. Toooooo little way toooooo late.

Action should have been taken long ago.

We LOST hearts and minds in our failure to address these abuses swiftly and harshly.

Anyone still hanging on to some faux notion of "building democracy" can just forget it.

[slinkerwink]

8. I'm glad they're getting rid of those disgusting hoods

[TahitiNut]

13. Yeah, sooo unfashionable ... lacking even a Nike logo!

Hoods are just sooo passe! :eyes:

[prolesunited]

10. What's the difference?

How is this still not torture?

UN Convention Against Torture
one of a series of UN agreements that seek to protect human rights. It defines torture in the following terms:

Any act by which severe pain or suffering, whether physical or mental, is intentionally inflicted on a person for such purposes as obtaining from him or a third person information or a confession, punishing him for an act he or a third person has committed or is suspected of having committed, or intimidating or coercing him or a third person, or for any reason based on discrimination of any kind, when such pain or suffering is inflicted by or at the instigation of or with the consent or acquiescence of a public official or other person acting in an official capacity. It does not include pain or suffering arising only from, inherent in or incidental to lawful sanctions. (Convention, Article 1.)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UN_Convention_Against_Torture


Still being practiced by CIA
CIA agents have anonymously confirmed to the Washington Post in a December 26, 2002 report that the CIA routinely uses so-called "stress and duress" interrogation techniques, which are claimed by human rights activists to be acts of torture, in the US-led war on terrorism. These sources state that CIA and military personnel beat up uncooperative suspects, confine them in cramped quarters, duct tape them to stretchers, and use other restraints which maintain the subject in an awkward and painful position for long periods of time. The phrase 'torture light' has been reported in the media and has been taken to mean acts that would not be legally defined as torture but where the intent of the person committing the act is the same.

The Post article continues that sensory deprivation, through the use of hoods and spraypainted goggles, sleep deprivation, and selective use of painkillers for at least one captive who was shot in the groin during his apprehension are also used. The agents also indicate in the report that the CIA as a matter of course hands suspects over to foreign intelligence services with far fewer qualms about torture for more intensive interrogation. The mere act of handing somebody to another organisation or country where it is foreseeable that torture would occur is regarded as a violation of the Torture Convention. The Post reported that one US official said, "If you don't violate someone's human rights some of the time, you probably aren't doing your job." The US Government denies that torture is being conducted in the detention camps.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Torture

Sensory deprivation

Sensory deprivation is the reduction of sensory input into the human system, whether naturally occurring or induced. Simple artificial systems can reduce visual and auditory input while more complex designs can also reduce olfactory, tactile, thermoceptive, gustative and 'gravitational' sensations. Sensory deprivation has been used in various alternative medicines, for torture or punishment, and in psychological experimentation.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sensory_deprivation

[Tellurian]

11. The HOODS have the racial implications of the KKK...nt

shwing!

[Minstrel Boy]

12. Can anyone explain

why it's thought necessary to hood or blindfold POWs? What's the rationale for this? Just more psyops?

[BLUEBOY]

15. Could it be that they are being viewed as wild animals?

Research biologist use them when capturing live animals to keep them calm. I don't know if this was the rational behind it but they sure look creepy. Of course the U.S. goal is for a "Free and democratic" Iraq... boy they must love us for this.

The Chimp in charge is doing a wonderful job of "winning hearts and minds".

[David__77]

14. Cosmetic and immaterial change.

The content of the brutality is the same.

[maddezmom]

16. there's more: U.S. to Stop Certain Interrogation Practices

BAGHDAD, May 4--The new U.S. commander overseeing Army-run prisons in Iraq has ordered military intelligence operatives to stop using sleep deprivation as an interrogation tactic and placing hoods over the heads of detainees.

~snip~

Miller was unapologetic about the use of tough tactics to induce anxiety and draw out information from detainees, but said that he had directed interrogation supervisors to strictly follow new rules detailing what techniques can be used.

"We're here to enable the armed forces to win this fight that's ongoing," Miller said. He added that he told his subordinates: "At the end of the day you'd better make sure that what we've done will make America proud."

~snip~

In the 50-minute interview at the Baghdad Convention Center, Miller offered details of the rarely discussed interrogation procedures used to rattle, persuade or intimidate detainees to divulge information about their methods and organizations
~snip~
more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A707-2004May4.html


meet the new boss, same as the old boss. :(

[saigon68]

18. Ralph Rumsfelt Fashion Wear --update !!!

A BAG ON HEAD FOR FREEDOM COLLECTION

By Ralph Rumsfelt Fashion Wear
Created by Chief Designer Wolfman Wolfowitz
Produced by HALLIBURTON HOMEWEAR --A division of (ETR) Exorbitant Tax Ripoffs LLC






This Iraqi man is wearing the latest in Ralph Rumsfelt Fashion Wear.

It's from the "I'M WEARING A BAG ON MY HEAD FOR FREEDOM COLLECTION"

Said Wolfman Wolfowitz chief designer of the collection. "Our work is meant to inspire Co-
Operation on the part of the wearer". He continued, "Sometimes a good swift ass kicking gets
them in a proper frame of mind to wear and model our creations."

Next up US govt approved chromed and plated testicle crushers !!!!




Wearing the latest fashion in wear for captured Iraqis is Saddam Al Masser of Fallujah. In a
Wolfman Wolfowitz inspired creation, made especially for Iraq-Nam II. Mr. Masser models a not
too tight Designer white Head Bag. When asked how it felt Mr. Masser commented "MH$#)(*&%$$"

This creation is produced and marketed by HALLIBURTON HOMEWEAR –A division of
(ETR) Exorbitant Tax Ripoffs LLC








SOMETIMES IN AN EMERGENCY A PLASTIC SANDBAG HAS TO SUFFICE.



SOMETIMES NEEDING ENCOURAGEMENT

Note the Smiling guard’s admiring Stare at the soon to be covered model’s face. A bit of
coaxing and encouragement is sometimes needed before the model humbly accepts the new
“look” in Fashion wear



Note the smiling expression on the US ” helper” right



This is also done to entertain the troops and these 2 soldiers are properly impressed by the light
carnival atmosphere


The Plane ride sponsored by Myers Airways (Your best friend in the Air)

[maddezmom]

21. thanks for pointing out once again it's widespread and systematic

the glee some of the troops get out of the hoods, the smiling and posing with prisoners is truly sickening. :(

[Nile]

22. At least they did not burn and drag them in the streets.

And then pose with the mutilated bodies while smiling and laughing for the cameras.

[maddezmom]

23. hmmm

so I guess you think the prisoners deserved what they got? :eyes:

[Bridget Burke]

24. The mercenaries in Fallujah were killed first.

The handling of their corpses was quite disrespectful but there's no evidence they were tortured. How many hundreds of innocent Iraqis were killed as revenge?

But, since the prison torture happened long before Fallujah, the mercenaries' deaths might have been revenge killings, too.

[Spentastic]

25. Nah

They normally shot them whilst they lay on the ground wounded then shouted "woohoo" and high fived each other.

What's the difference?

[leftchick]

26. no, not in broad daylight!

They wait until they get them to the prison then the fun begins... :eyes:

[Moderator]

27. duplicate

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=530441