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Solly Mack
Solly Mack's Journal
Solly Mack's Journal
December 3, 2013
Some great news around post...
Married Gay & Lesbian couples (soldiers and their spouses) are now living in family housing here in my neck of the woods.
I thought it wonderful news and just wanted to share.
I'm in Louisiana, on Fort Polk.
Equal marriage (equal rights) doesn't exist in the state of Louisiana (banned by the state) but as long as the soldier is married in a state that does have equal rights (equal marriage), then his/her family gets family housing here. (and on other military posts)
October 24, 2013
More info.
Guantanamo Inmate Injured in CIA Custody
Medical records show an accused terrorist now held at Guantanamo Bay sustained a head injury while he was in CIA custody and has suffered lasting health problems as a result, his lawyer said Wednesday.
The injury occurred between 2003 and September 2006, when al-Baluchi was held in the CIA's network of overseas prisons and subjected to a special interrogation program for suspected terrorists that his lawyers say amounted to torture. The records do not indicate how or where the injury occurred.
The injury occurred between 2003 and September 2006, when al-Baluchi was held in the CIA's network of overseas prisons and subjected to a special interrogation program for suspected terrorists that his lawyers say amounted to torture. The records do not indicate how or where the injury occurred.
Lawyer arguing torture motion says Guantanamo prisoner suffered head injury in CIA custody.
He was captured in Pakistan in April 2003 and held for three years by the CIA under its rendition, detention and interrogation program, which included the use of such methods as being repeatedly smashed into a flexible wall, confined in a small space, deprived of sleep and the simulated drowning technique known as waterboarding, according to previously released government documents.
He was captured in Pakistan in April 2003 and held for three years by the CIA under its rendition, detention and interrogation program, which included the use of such methods as being repeatedly smashed into a flexible wall, confined in a small space, deprived of sleep and the simulated drowning technique known as waterboarding, according to previously released government documents.
The hearing was called to determine whether the 9/11 defendants are able to appropriately report claims of mistreatment, a right guaranteed under the UN Convention against Torture, during the three years that followed their 2003 arrest.
They were held in the CIA's network of overseas prisons during that period and subjected to special interrogation techniques their lawyers call torture.
The newly released medical report, dated September 2006, described "mistreatment" that took place "several years earlier," Connell said. He did not confirm how the head injury happened.
Connell said the government took no action after Ali made his claim of mistreatment.
They were held in the CIA's network of overseas prisons during that period and subjected to special interrogation techniques their lawyers call torture.
The newly released medical report, dated September 2006, described "mistreatment" that took place "several years earlier," Connell said. He did not confirm how the head injury happened.
Connell said the government took no action after Ali made his claim of mistreatment.
Lawyers for the accused also complain about the military commission's highly restrictive rules for handling classified evidence.
"The irony is that Mr Al-Baluchi cannot describe his clinical history, how he got his injuries... because everything he says would be treated as classified," Connell said.
But prosecutor Clay Trivett stressed that "the accused is currently in control of the US government. He's been exposed to secrets of the US government."
"The irony is that Mr Al-Baluchi cannot describe his clinical history, how he got his injuries... because everything he says would be treated as classified," Connell said.
But prosecutor Clay Trivett stressed that "the accused is currently in control of the US government. He's been exposed to secrets of the US government."
More info.
October 23, 2013
Guantanamo judge urged to lift ban on claims of abuse (torture)
A "gag order" from the tribunal's judge violates the United Nations Convention Against Torture, the attorneys say.
The five suspected al Qaeda conspirators claim the maltreatment consisted of beatings, sleep deprivation, being subjected to temperature extremes, stress positions and waterboarding, a technique that simulates drowning.
During the administration of George W. Bush, the CIA was authorized to use what were called "enhanced interrogation techniques." When President Barack Obama took office, he forbade use of the techniques, referring to them as torture.
"If you really want to have a fair trial, you have to ungag them," Bormann said.
The five suspected al Qaeda conspirators claim the maltreatment consisted of beatings, sleep deprivation, being subjected to temperature extremes, stress positions and waterboarding, a technique that simulates drowning.
During the administration of George W. Bush, the CIA was authorized to use what were called "enhanced interrogation techniques." When President Barack Obama took office, he forbade use of the techniques, referring to them as torture.
"If you really want to have a fair trial, you have to ungag them," Bormann said.
Torture Treaty Rights Sought in Guantanamo Trial
The five men facing trial by military commission were subjected to treatment that their lawyers say amounted to torture before they were taken to Guantanamo in September 2006. They may want to pursue some form of international complaint against the U.S. government, but can't do so because they and their lawyers aren't allowed to even discuss with anyone what happened to them in CIA custody.
Army Maj. Jason Wright, a military-appointed lawyer for lead defendant Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, said the judge should either provide a mechanism to pursue a claim — either through his native Pakistan, the United Nations or another country — or dismiss the charges.
"You cannot use state secrets to classify the observations and secrets of someone who was subjected to torture," he said.
The five men facing trial by military commission were subjected to treatment that their lawyers say amounted to torture before they were taken to Guantanamo in September 2006. They may want to pursue some form of international complaint against the U.S. government, but can't do so because they and their lawyers aren't allowed to even discuss with anyone what happened to them in CIA custody.
Army Maj. Jason Wright, a military-appointed lawyer for lead defendant Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, said the judge should either provide a mechanism to pursue a claim — either through his native Pakistan, the United Nations or another country — or dismiss the charges.
"You cannot use state secrets to classify the observations and secrets of someone who was subjected to torture," he said.
October 4, 2013
My First Zombie Make-up
I wanted (needed) to do a Zombie make-up for a project I was working on. This is my willing captive having endured my first attempt. The yellow polka dot pajamas were a deliberate choice to add a little whimsy.
In color and other.
I used Elmer's glue mixed with water, single-ply tissue, and homemade fake blood on the sores. I sculpted with a chopstick. Also used black and purple eyeshadow around the eyes and sores. The face base was a mixture of blue/gray and white make-up with a dusting of baby powder.
July 25, 2013
Feel good about that statement?
I'll wait and see what comes of it.
Yes, it is a shame it took this long to address the topic of spying etc..
We'll see.
Here: Just some info on the board
Board established in 2004
June 21, 2013
Obama to meet with privacy, civil liberties board
June 25, 2013
Privacy and Civil Liberties board works to inform public on NSA leaks
July 9, 2013
Former judge admits flaws in secret court
Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board Senate
July 9, 2013
Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board, Legal Perspectives Meeting
July 7, 2013
PRIVACY AND CIVIL LIBERTIES OVERSIGHT BOARD Notice of Meeting
I'm not commenting on another DUer's comment.
It is time to trust the American people’s judgment about where to strike the balance between what is, after all, their security and their freedom
Feel good about that statement?
I'll wait and see what comes of it.
Yes, it is a shame it took this long to address the topic of spying etc..
We'll see.
Here: Just some info on the board
Board established in 2004
June 21, 2013
Obama to meet with privacy, civil liberties board
June 25, 2013
Privacy and Civil Liberties board works to inform public on NSA leaks
July 9, 2013
Former judge admits flaws in secret court
Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board Senate
On January 22, 2013, President Obama nominated David Medine to be Chairman and Member of the Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board for a term expiring January 30, 2018 (new position). Medine was confirmed by the Senate on May 7, 2013.
July 9, 2013
Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board, Legal Perspectives Meeting
July 7, 2013
PRIVACY AND CIVIL LIBERTIES OVERSIGHT BOARD Notice of Meeting
July 18, 2013
Pollinator II: Return of the...
I took these later in the evening (than the ones before). I shot these today.
(1/200 shutter speed)
Other things out and about before sunset.
The Giant Robber Fly
BlueJay
July 9, 2013
Smell that? It is the smell of the expedient coated with bullshit.
Prosecutions? Hello? Hello? Prosecutions?????????
Silly me. Who needs to prosecute war crimes when everything is made all better by admitting that torture is torture.....now.
Until the next time.
Of course he does.
Now. It's kinda out of fashion now so it's OK to be against it. And, golly, don't he look just so righteous in the doing!
But there was a time not so long ago...
"...
asked Comey to square his personal beliefs on the torture practice with his approval of 2005 memos authorizing the practice during his tenure as U.S. deputy attorney general.
"Do you agree that waterboarding is torture and is illegal?" Leahy asked bluntly.
"Yes," Comey replied.
"Do you agree that waterboarding is torture and is illegal?" Leahy asked bluntly.
"Yes," Comey replied.
But the president is reportedly poised to sign off on the nomination of the former number two official in the Bush Justice Department, who twice signed off on torture memos okaying waterboarding, wall slams, and other forms of torture.
Comey gave a second thumbs-up to waterboarding in signing off on the May 2005 rewrite of Bybee II. He reportedly wrote an email to a colleague at the time, in which he said he "concurred" with the new torture memo. At the same time, he strenuously opposed the approval of the second memo combining torture tactics. Waterboarding was okay, as long as it was done the "right" way.
Comey gave a second thumbs-up to waterboarding in signing off on the May 2005 rewrite of Bybee II. He reportedly wrote an email to a colleague at the time, in which he said he "concurred" with the new torture memo. At the same time, he strenuously opposed the approval of the second memo combining torture tactics. Waterboarding was okay, as long as it was done the "right" way.
Smell that? It is the smell of the expedient coated with bullshit.
Prosecutions? Hello? Hello? Prosecutions?????????
Silly me. Who needs to prosecute war crimes when everything is made all better by admitting that torture is torture.....now.
Until the next time.
March 17, 2013
to my walk.
Where the Cherry Blossoms were blooming
and the bees were buzzing
and the White Tails were roaming
and the Red-bellied Woodpecker was building
and the Common Grackle was stealing
and the Peacock was roosting
and the Black Swan was grooming
and the Green Heron was profiling
and the Redhead (diving duck) was cruising
and the Raccoon was picnicking (albeit rudely)
where the Beaver was waving
and the turtles were sunning (one's an albino)
and the sky was beautiful
where even the Black Crowned Crane made an appearance
and the Great White Egret reigned supreme.
Come walk with me
to my walk.
Where the Cherry Blossoms were blooming
and the bees were buzzing
and the White Tails were roaming
and the Red-bellied Woodpecker was building
and the Common Grackle was stealing
and the Peacock was roosting
and the Black Swan was grooming
and the Green Heron was profiling
and the Redhead (diving duck) was cruising
and the Raccoon was picnicking (albeit rudely)
where the Beaver was waving
and the turtles were sunning (one's an albino)
and the sky was beautiful
where even the Black Crowned Crane made an appearance
and the Great White Egret reigned supreme.
Profile Information
Gender: Do not displayCurrent location: Back of Beyond
Member since: 2001
Number of posts: 90,762
