A source within the Central Intelligence Agency says that a May 30, 2005 US Department of Justice report corroborates the fact that the use of aggressive interrogation techniques on Al Qaeda's Khalid Sheik Mohammed "encouraged" him to reveal useful intelligence that allowed US law enforcement to derail an attack on Los Angeles.
Prior to being waterboarded, Sheik Mohamed was questioned regarding further terrorist attacks on the United States and, according to the CIA source, he replied, “You will know, soon enough.”
According to the previously classified DOJ memorandum that was released by President Barack Obama last week, the thwarted attack -- which Khalid referred to as the “Second Wave”-- planned “to use East Asian operatives to crash a hijacked airliner into’ a building in Los Angeles.”
It's been widely reported that Khalid Sheik Mohammed was the mastermind of the first first attacks on the United States, which destroyed the World Trade Center in New York and part of the Pentagon in Northern Virginia on September 11, 2001.
After the terrorist leader was captured, he was far from being cooperative with CIA investigators. Khalid and his Jihadist comrades, Zubaydah and Nashiri , were the only persons ever subjected to waterboarding by the CIA, according to the source who requested anonymity. However, some terrorist detainees were subjected to other interrogation "tools" such as sleep deprivation, temporary confinement to small spaces, slapping with an open hand, and food deprivation.
After he was subjected to Intense waterboarding, Sheik Khalid became very helpful by providing verifiable information that led law enforcement nabbing Al Qaeda terrorists and associates. Khalid's information also aided law enforcement in busting the East Asian terrorists were planning to launch a 9-11 type attack in Los Angeles, California.
During this war on terrorism, the definition of torture has become so convoluted that Americans are confused as to what is acceptable and what is not in a time of global war. It's understandable why liberals believe aggressive interrogation is something to be avoided at all costs: they still believe that we should employ a law enforcement model to combat terrorism. Treating terrorists as we do auto thieves and robbers is their obvious goal.
While the people really fighting the war on terrorism never even mention the word "torture," the mainstream media are keeping it on the frontpages of newspapers, on the covers of newsmagazines and as lead stories on news broadcasts.
At the same time that Reno and her minions in the Justice Department -- including current Attorney General Jeffrey Holder -- were prohibiting federal law enforcement from taking action against suspected terrorists and their sympathizers, they were planning a quasi-military operation to disarm and arrest members of Branch Davidian.
The rest is common knowledge. The extreme measures used against American citizens (including sleep deprivation, blasting loud music and noise, etc.) went unchallenged by the news media of the day. When the compound was attacked using military tactics and excessive deadly force that resulted in the death dozens of men, women and children, and with the compound engulfed by flames, there was absolutely no condemnation of Bill Clinton or Janet Reno. Even some conservatives appeared to condone such horror being inflicted on their fellow citizens.
Jim Kouri, CPP is currently fifth vice-president of the National Association of Chiefs of Police and he's a staff writer for the New Media Alliance (thenma.org). In addition, he's the former blog editor for the House Conservatives Fund's weblog. Recently, the editors at Examiner.com appointed him as their Law Enforcement Examiner. Kouri also serves as political advisor for Emmy and Golden Globe winning actor Michael Moriarty.
He's former chief at a New York City housing project in Washington Heights nicknamed "Crack City" by reporters covering the drug war in the 1980s. In addition, he served as director of public safety at a New Jersey university and director of security for several major organizations. He's also served on the National Drug Task Force and trained police and security officers throughout the country. Kouri writes for many police and security magazines including Chief of Police, Police Times, The Narc Officer and others. He's a news writer for NewswithViews.com and PHXnews.com. He's also a columnist for AmericanDailyReview.Com, MensNewsDaily.Com, MichNews.Com, and he's syndicated by AXcessNews.Com. He's appeared as on-air commentator for over 300 TV and radio news and talk shows including Oprah, McLaughlin Report, CNN Headline News, MTV, Fox News, etc. If you wish to receive Kouri's emailed law enforcement and intelligence reports, write to him at COPmagazine@aol.com. Simply write "Free Subscription" on the subject line.
Comments
Obama has opened America's front door and tossed out a welcome mat for Islamic terrorists.
Before the end of Obama's term of office, I expect another major Islamic terrorist attack. This time, hundreds of thousands of Americans will die through a nuclear weapon detonation or through a biological weapon.
On possible prosecution of those who approved torture, Obama is openly sacrificing Americans for Islamic terrorists. In effect, Obama is saying to Islamic terrorists, "We will eat our babies for you."
Obama has surrendered to Islamic terrorists. Obama is placing America and our citizens at extreme risk. Obama is failing to protect us.
Okpulot Taha
Choctaw Nation
Many of us saw all this coming prior to the election. His Islamic roots were bound to produce these policies. Trouble is, we have yet to see the ultimate outcome of them.
Happy Indep writes of Obama, "His Islamic roots...."
We do know, during Obama's early childhood, he was raised Muslim. We also know the first five or six years of life, a "basic" personality is set for life.
During early childhood our basic personality and our basic behaviors are set by our environment; parents, friends, upbringing. As we age, we refine our behaviors, adapt our behaviors to conform with societal expectations.
Although no proof is apparent, I am curious how much of Obama's early Muslim upbringing still persists today. There is no doubt his early Muslim upbringing influences him, but there is a question of how much so.
Perhaps his poorly veiled empathy for Islamic terrorists is a reflection of his early Muslim upbringing.
Okpulot Taha
Choctaw Nation
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